S&W Safety Hammerless, Bicycle Revolver, Factory Letter, 87923, FB01564

Description

Synopsis:

Beautiful, original finish, Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless First Model “Bicycle” revolver sold in 1899 with corroborating factory letter written to esteemed collector/dealer David Carroll.

Description:

A classic “EDC,” the Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless, nicknamed by collectors as the “Lemon Squeezer,” was a top break DAO revolver produced from 1887 to 1940, and incorporated an internal hammer with an external grip safety on its back-strap. This example is a beautiful First Model (Bicycle) revolver manufactured from 1888 to 1902, SN: 87923, shipped August 1899 per factory letter, with 2″ barrel, nickel-plated finish and five-shot cylinder. Fixed front sight with integral rear sight notch on top of frame. Left side of the barrel marked with manufacturer and model information. Smith & Wesson logo on right side of frame. SN: “87923” stamped on the butt, repeated on the rear face of the cylinder, and split as “87” and “923” on the barrel extension. Several blued small parts including trigger guard. Color case hardened trigger. Fitted with correct black checkered hard rubber grips, numbered “221195”. Complete with original Smith & Wesson factory letter dated September 3, 2010, addressed to well known collector/dealer David Carroll, confirming the revolver as a .32 Safety Hammerless First Model shipped in 1899 with 2″ barrel, nickel finish, and hard rubber grips.

Condition:

Beautiful 98-99% bright original nickel finish with faint pinpoint freckles on either side of the frame and slight bubbling around the serial number on the butt. No cartridge head imprints on the recoil shield. Trigger guard retains 99+% of its original blue with vivid case colors on the trigger. Comparable condition grips. Bright bore. Correct manual mechanics. Crisp original factory letter.