Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless Second Model, .32 S&W, 3.5 inch Nickel Top-Break DAO Revolver (1902–1909)
This Second Model .32 Safety Hammerless stands out with its nickel finish, 3.5-inch barrel, and mother-of-pearl grips. Built between 1902 and 1909, it features a compact top-break design with automatic simultaneous extraction and DAO, hammerless operation with a grip safety—hallmarks of the classic "lemon squeezer." A star suffix on the butt serial number indicates a Smith & Wesson factory service/refinish return.
It uses the five-shot .32 S&W cylinder and retains the distinctive Safety Hammerless profile prized by collectors and enthusiasts of early S&W top-breaks.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The revolver remains solid for its age and the lockup is tight. Numerous scratches and blemishes are present with patches of pitting. The grips are cracked with chips missing. The bore shows numerous blemishes.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless Second Model revolver
- Two-piece mother-of-pearl grip panels (installed)
The Second Model of the .32 Safety Hammerless was produced from 1902 to 1909 and is built on a micro-size steel frame with an internal hammer and DAO-only operation. Its top-break action provides automatic simultaneous extraction for fast unloading, paired with a five-shot, five-flute cylinder chambered in .32 S&W.
The 3.5-inch steel barrel has a top rib with multi-line S&W address and patent markings. A pinned half-moon front sight teams with a fixed rear notch integral to the top latch, giving a practical sight picture consistent with its period design.
Controls include the T-shaped, checkered top latch for opening the action. The Safety Hammerless configuration incorporates a grip safety, contributing to the revolver’s well-known "lemon squeezer" nickname and secure carry characteristics.
This example wears a nickel finish on the steel frame and cylinder and is fitted with two-piece mother-of-pearl grip panels. The star suffix on the butt serial number denotes a Smith & Wesson factory service/refinish return, adding documented factory involvement to its history.