Collectible Smith & Wesson DA Revolver, .32 Caliber, 1st Model, Mother-of-Pearl Grips

Smith & Wesson Revolver – First Model Hammerless

Manufacture: 1888–1902 – Caliber: .32 S&W – Features: mother-of-pearl grips

History

Compact firearms—easily concealed or designed for convenient carry in urban environments—enjoyed considerable success starting in the late 1870s. Smith & Wesson offered a wide range of revolvers in .32 and .38 calibers, available in single or double action, and with or without an exposed hammer. The "Hammerless" version was particularly popular, as it allowed for a quick draw without the risk of the hammer snagging on clothing. This specific piece belongs to the first model—commonly known as the "Lemon Squeezer"—which entered production in 1888 with over 90,000 units manufactured. Today, it is considered a classic among collectible black-powder double-action revolvers.

Our Model

This First Model Smith & Wesson Hammerless revolver, featuring a blued finish, is distinguished by its elegant, untouched condition.

The metal components retain significant traces of their original bluing, which is uniform and evenly distributed. The trigger also displays fine remnants of its factory case-hardening, which remains clearly visible. The standard markings are correct, deep, and perfectly legible, reflecting the manufacturing quality characteristic of Smith & Wesson during that era. The serial number (36XXX), stamped on the butt, matches the cylinder and the barrel latch, ensuring the unit's overall consistency and integrity. This fine example is enhanced by period mother-of-pearl grips; while they show minor, inconsequential imperfections, their deep, luminous hue elegantly complements the lines of this Smith & Wesson revolver.

Mechanically, the revolver performs excellently: the double-action pull is smooth and consistent, indexing is perfect, and there is no play or excessive cylinder gap. Opening the action and ejecting spent casings are effortless. The five-shot cylinder is chambered for the .32 S&W cartridge. The 3-inch barrel features a bright bore with deep rifling; while there are some signs of use, they do not affect function or accuracy, leaving the firearm fully operational.

This is a superb example of a first-model Smith & Wesson Hammerless—a representative and highly desirable piece for any collection of antique American handguns.

The firearm comes with a classification certificate designating it as Category D, issued by the Saint-Étienne National Proof House.