Early S&W .38 DA Blued Safety Hammerless Revolver |
This is an early 2nd Model Smith and Wesson Safety Hammerless Revolver in .38 S&W. This variation was made from 1887-1890 and is therefore a pre-1898 antique under federal law, however some states and cities may differ. This particular example is the scarcer blued finish with 3-1/4' barrel and checkered hard rubber grips. Being a 2nd Model, the Z-bar side latch on the topstrap was eliminated in favor of a small knurled thumb piece at the top of the frame just behind the topstrap. Just over 37,000 units were produced and numbered from 5,001-42,483. Serial number is in the 16,000 range with matching #'s on the barrel, cylinder, and frame. Early production with patent dates only going up to 1885 instead of 1890. Basically, a re-design of the .38 DA, the hammerless design eliminated the possibility of a 'snag' when being withdrawn from the owner's pocket. Aesthetics aside, a second lost from the hammer getting caught could be the difference between life and death. The .38 Hammerless was so popular that it went through another three design changes and wasn't discontinued until 1940. Features include five shot cylinder with hammer shrouded by frame and a checkered safety bar on the backstrap which must be depressed in order for the action to function...hence the nickname 'lemon squeezer'. Officially however, this model was termed the 'New Departure'. The most prized 2nd Models were the 100 revolvers ordered by the US Army with blued finish and 6' barrels for field trials with the United States Cavalry. Super-rare, these bring thousands of dollars from S&W collectors as well as US martial collectors. Aside from the shorter barrel, this one is basically what the US Army ordered although it strikes me more as something that was carried by a police officer because it shows lots of carry wear but was rarely fired. It has a fantastic bore. Overall condition grades to NRA Antique Fine with 60% original blued finish which is faded. Checkered hard rubber grips are well worn but solid with no chips, cracks, repairs, and have perfect S&W precision fit. Action works, safety works, automatic ejector works, and latch is tight. Barrel markings are perfect with 1877 through 1885 patent dates below the S&W factory address. Good solid example of one of S&W's scarcer early Hammerless Double Action Variants. Item# 2028 SOLD |
- Hi mill3nia.What I believe your Grandfather had there is a '.32 Safety Hammerless'. Some refer to it as.32 Lemon Squeezer or a.32 New Departure.
- I have just acquired another Smith & Wesson revolver, it is a Safety Hammerless. The serial number is 248755. I would say the nickel finish might be 70%. It has wood grips which definitely show some use but not cracked. It functions well. The cylinder is a little loose but my range rod went in with no contact on the cylinder.
Smith & Wesson
Smith&Wesson Safety Hammerless “Lemon Squeeze” This revolver is a.38 caliber double-action Smith&Wesson Safety Hammerless, issued between 1898 and 1907 and also known as the 'lemon squeeze' due to the safety catch protruding at the rear of the grip frame. Collectors have distingue 5 models in this serial, all with minor variations.
First model S&W Safety Hammerless.
This revolver is made in 1887 total of 5125 revolvers.
It has a so called Z-bar. That’s the latch for opening the revolver.
When you press it when the revolver is open you can remove the cylinder for cleaning.
The caliber is .38 S&W.
The pearl handles are factory.
Henk
Smith & Wesson “Lemon Squeezer” .38 Safety Hammerless model
Based on the shape of the barrel latch, what we have here is a .38 Safety Hammerless model, a.k.a 'Lemon Squeezer'. Smith&Wesson issued 5 different variants of the .38 and 3 of the .32 caliber. There are only small variations, though.
The Safety Hammerless revolvers were the last of the topbreak series and come immediately before the Hand Ejector model with swing-out cylinder.
Production started in 1886 and the very last of these revolvers left the factory in 1940, long after production was resumed. The 3rd Model was introduced in 1890 at approx. serial# 42484 and was produced until 1898 (highest known serial# is 116002).
Sw Safety Hammerless Serial Numbers Identification
Your revolver is interesting because it is equipped with the quite scarce 6' barrel. Most of the production feature shorter barrels, the 2' one being nicknamed 'Bicycle Model'.
Sw Safety Hammerless Serial Numbers Search
Technically, those revolvers were quite advanced because they included an 'inertia-type' firing pin, developed by Joe Wesson, son of Daniel B. This type of firing pin was mounted in the frame and spring-loaded. It could only hit the primer upon receiving a sufficient blow from the hammer, which transferred the momentum from the hammer to the firing pin itself. When the concealed hammer was at rest against the firing pin, the pin would not protrude through the frame.
I don't know who invented the system at first, but it wasn't Joe Wesson anyway. The 'inertia-type' firing pins were at the same period already in use in the Belgian Leclercq shotguns, and probably in numerous other weapons.
Marcel
Smith&Wesson Safety Hammerless “Lemon Squeeze”
This revolver is a .38 caliber double-action Smith&Wesson Safety Hammerless, issued between 1898 and 1907 and also known as the 'lemon squeeze' due to the safety catch protruding at the rear of the grip frame. Collectors have distingue 5 models in this serial, all with minor variations. The conventional top-break barrel latch identifies it as the Fourth Model, made from 1898 to 1907. The serial numbers in this popular model started at 116.003 and ended with serial# 220.000. It was available in blue or nickel finish and was offered in a wide range of barrel lengths, form 2 to 6 inch.
Interesting and relatively inexpensive model. Still easily available today in perfect condition and in original cardboard box.
The company also issued the same model in the .32 caliber.
Marcel