The Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless or Smith & Wesson New Departure (nicknamed by collectors as the Lemon Squeezer) is a double-action revolver that was produced from 1887 to 1940 by Smith & Wesson. Based on the Smith & Wesson Model 2 double-action design, the revolver incorporated an internal hammer and an external grip safety on its back-strap. It was chambered in .32 S&W and .38 S&W calibers; these revolvers were discontinued prior to World War II, being eclipsed by the stronger hand ejector models.

• I have a smith and wesson model 19-3 with a 4 inch barrel. The serial number is 2k67041 and is nickel plated. I would like to when it was manufactured and how many were produced. It is in 95 to 98 percent condition. No box or papers. How much would it be worth also.
• Smith Wesson Dates Of Manufacture From Serial Numbers DOWNLOAD.
• The Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless or Smith & Wesson New Departure (nicknamed by collectors as the Lemon Squeezer) is a double-action revolver that was produced from 1887 to 1940 by Smith & Wesson.Based on the Smith & Wesson Model 2 double-action design, the revolver incorporated an internal hammer and an external grip safety on its back-strap. It was chambered in.32 S&W and.38.

Partnership with Horace Smith & Daniel B. Wesson was from 1856–1874. Family owned by the Wesson Family from 1874–1965. Smith & Wesson became a subsidiary of Bangor-Punta from 1965–1983. Between 1983–1987, Smith & Wesson was owned by the Lear Siegler Co. On May 22, 1987, it was sold to R.L.Tomkins, a British holding company.

.32 and .38 Safety Hammerless models[edit]

The Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless models were produced from 1887 (1888 for the 32) to just before World War II. They were chambered in either .32 S&W or .38 S&W with a five-shot cylinder. They were most often produced with a 2-inch, 3-inch, or 3.5-inch barrels; but some 6' barrelled versions are known to exist.^[1]

These top-break revolvers were designed for fast reloading and concealed carry as the hammer was internal and would not snag on drawing the revolver from a pocket. They were known as 'The New Departure' to reflect the company's new approach to designing revolvers.^[1]

Minor design changes were made to these revolvers over the years, resulting in several different design models, as termed by collectors. The first model was manufactured from 1887 to 1902. The .38 was based on S&W's medium frame, while the .32 was based on the smaller sized '1½' frame.^[2][3]

Smith And Wesson 19 4 Price

Return of the hammerless[edit]

Smith And Wesson Serial Dates

In 1952 the safety hammerless concept was applied to Smith & Wesson's J-frame. The finished product became the Model 40 and 42 chambered in .38 Special and is alternately known as the Smith & Wesson Centennial as it was produced in the 100th anniversary of the founding of Smith & Wesson.^[1][4] While few competitors replicated the grip safety, the internal hammer or 'hammerless' design proved popular with other manufacturers such as Iver Johnson and Harrington & Richardson. The Centennial (without grip safeties) are still made by S&W, and have been copied by other revolver manufacturers.^[1]

Smith And Wesson 19 Serial Numbers List

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abcdSupica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3 ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 78–79, 151. ISBN978-0-89689-293-4.
2. ^Shideler, Dan (2011). The Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices 2011 Official Gun Digest Book of Guns and Prices (6 ed.). Gun Digest Books. p. 874. ISBN978-1-4402-1435-6.
3. ^Flayderman, Norm (2007). Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values (9 ed.). F+W Media, Inc. p. 282. ISBN978-0-89689-455-6.
4. ^Boorman, Dean K. (2002). The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms. Globe Pequot. p. 39. ISBN978-1-58574-721-4.

Smith And Wesson Model 19 Serial Numbers Lookup