# How old is this S&W breaktop revolver?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-this-s-w-breaktop-revolver/661649>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 22, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-this-s-w-breaktop-revolver/661649 "2013-06-22T20:44:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-this-s-w-breaktop-revolver/661649/1 "2013-06-22T20:44:44Z")

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There’s no online serial # lookup available.

[Photos here.](http://s7.photobucket.com/user/wedgehed/library/Smith%20Wesson%2032%20Breaktop%20Revolver)

It’s an old .32, short round, pocket pistol that belonged to my grandfather.

The serial # appears to be 225933

On top of the barrel is engraved…

Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass  
Pat’d May 11, 1880 Jan 13, 1882 Apr 9, 1889

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**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-this-s-w-breaktop-revolver/661649/2 "2013-06-22T21:26:01Z")

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Went to Smith and Wessons website and in the resources section there is an application for a firearms history. Costs $50USD but that seems cheap to me. Hope that helps.

**Capt**

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**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-this-s-w-breaktop-revolver/661649/3 "2013-06-22T21:44:37Z")

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Yeah, I saw that. I’m not $50 curious yet. 🙂

I’m hoping one of the gun guys here has a Smith & Wesson model history guide.

I’ll sign up to a dedicated gun forum if I need to.

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**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-this-s-w-breaktop-revolver/661649/4 "2013-06-22T22:37:18Z")

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It appears to be a Double Action Fourth Model, which was produced from 1883-1909, serials lower than 209,300 (approx) are deemed to be pre-1899. Highest is thought to be around 282999.  
Try [Smith & Wesson Forum](http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum.php) for more.

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**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-this-s-w-breaktop-revolver/661649/5 "2013-06-22T22:55:55Z")

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Cool!

Thank you.