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32 extra short Rimfire S & W Pistol

happytypingirl
I have a smith & wesson pistol. Circa 1871 1st third issue (?) with 1/2 plating. It is a 32 EXTRA SHORT. 7 shot . I can find 32 short pistols but it is just impossible trying to find a 32 extra short model ( not to mention ammo) . Is this gun worth anything? As an antique collector I would say it is in very excellent condition to near mint. Barrel is 3 3/16" long and cylinder is 10/16th" .
I bought it for me , but now I want to sell because I can't find ammo for it. A little paper with writing on it says it is a 1st 3rd issue. Now not so sure.
Thank you !
Stacey
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    It would be best if you could post quality photos of the revolver, also a partial serial number.

    Here are instructions for posting photos to the forum.

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294


    The early production S & W revolvers with 7 shot cylinders were .22's not .32's.

    The Number 1 Third Issue was made between 1868 and 1881, with over 130,000 manufactured.

    The long barrel version like yours would probably be in the $300-$500 range depending on factory originality and cosmetic condition.

    19th Century S & W rimfire revolvers were chambered for low pressure Black Powder Cartridges. They are not safe to shoot with modern high pressure cartridges loaded withe smokeless powder.
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  • babun
    Sounds like a 1 1/2 model......Pictures Please !!!! I know I have some
    .32S&W short blanks from the 1880'S that are only .5 inches oal. I will look tonite if I can find any of your needed ammo. Bob
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  • hrf
    If the cylinder is 7-shot, fluted, and that short, it's a 1st model 3rd issue, but as Rufe-Snow states caliber is .22 Short, not .32. End of grip should also be rounded and not flat.

    But please do not fire modern .22 shorts in it!
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  • glabray
    The 32 Extra Short Rimfire was introduced in 1871 for the Remington magazine pistol. It's only reason for being was to increase the number of rounds that the magazine of that pistol would hold. It was adopted for a few other small handguns also but was never very popular due to its very low power. It fired about a 55 grain bullet with around 5 grains of black powder. This ammo has not been manufactured for at least the last 80 years.

    As to your gun, as others have noted, your description doesn't fit any common early S&W gun. The early S&W .32s (models 1 1/2 and 2 tipups) had 5-shot and 6-shot cylinders respectively, not 7.

    You might want to contact Roy Jinks at S&W. Send him some photos and a good description. Roy is the only person who could tell you if you happen to have a genuine very rare item.
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  • happytypingirl
    Oh man it is a 22. My friend is a dufus for saying it's a .32
    How come I can't fire modern 22 ammunition? Because I need extra short right?
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  • Hawk Carse
    Because it is weak and made of 19th century materials. I would not fire even CB caps in it.

    Friend of mine has the much later little Ladysmith .22 with a barrel cracked from firing smokeless .22 Longs.
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  • v35
    There are several reasons not to fire the revolver. The first is that modern 22 ammo is loaded to higher pressures than the original black powder cartridges and you stand the risk of bursting the cylinder or at least loosening up the gun, reducing its' value.
    The second reason for not shooting it is the risk of breaking irreplaceable parts, like springs that may have become embrittled with age.
    On many old rimfire guns the firing pin will touch the cylinder. Dry firing the gun will knock dents in the cylinder or chamber wall so it's not advisable to do that either.
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by happytypingirl
    Oh man it is a 22. My friend is a dufus for saying it's a .32
    How come I can't fire modern 22 ammunition? Because I need extra short right?


    If your bound and determined to fire it, even in light of our advice. Use the Mexican made ammo at this link,

    http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product1238.html

    It would be the safest ammo available on the market today, for your antique S & W. It doesn't actually have any gunpowder propellent, its primer actuated only.
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  • SP45
    If you wanted to fire it once or twice just to say you did, I would use BB Caps. The bullet is propelled by the priming compound with no powder.
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  • hedgehopper62
    I dont think the Aguila amo will work as cyl. is only 5/8 long,CCi has CB shorts or at lest I bought some about 3 mo ago to use in mine.tks hedge[:D]
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