canada airgun+antique firearms freak

Thursday, July 8, 2021

New photos of my antique spur trigger .32cal. rimfire revolvers!

First is the Smith & Wesson No.1½ New Model/2nd Issue .32cal.Rimfire Revolver resting on the pistol case I recently purchased for it.

Before Smith & Wesson figured out their "Top Break" revolver design, the first series of revolvers were the "Tip up" design.

.32cal.rimfire Short machined brass cases can be reloaded many times, and use a .22 cal crimped blank for priming the black powder charge. A .315" Hornady lead roundball is a reasonable replacement for the obsolete "heeled" outside lubed bullet the cartridge was designed for.

The high quality Colt New Line 32 Pocket Revolver retains 95%+ of its factory nickel finish, and looks dazzling in every photo!

The unique rimfire hammer and the blade style firing pin make identifying this type of antique firearm quite easy.

The "Colt New 32" revolver is now kept safe in a very nice, high quality Colt branded small pistol case.

The third antique cartridge revolver in my collection is my genuine "suicide special", which is a spur trigger ".32cal.RF Long" revolver manufacturered by Norwich Pistol/Norwich Arms Co. sometime between 1878 and 1886.

The trade name "Protector" and "Patented April 23, 1878" are the only markings on the pistol, other than the four digit serial number on the barrel, frame & hammer.

The birdhead grip has hardwood grip panels in excellent condition.

The Patented one piece circular sideplate/hammer pin is quite an elegant design. It makes accessing the inner action very quick and easy for maintenance or for parts repair/replacement.

With no nickel flaking off, there has to be 95%++ of the original factory nickel plated finish intact, and the only part which needed attention was the cylinder hand and cylinder hand spring.

I fabricated a replacement cylinder hand spring from a piece of the coiled flat spring out of an antique/vintage alarm clock.

"Suicide Special" article from American Rifleman 1948

This is the American Rifleman Magazine article in 1948, when the sub-genre of American made revolvers between 1870's-1890'swere labelled: "Suicide Specials" for the first time.