RARE Smith & Wesson New Departure .32 Safety Hammerless revolver, first variation, made 1888, with a nickeled front sight and a special order swiveling butt lanyard ring, complete in an original box with sleeved cleaning brush and Roy G. Jinks factory letter. ANTIQUE!

Description:

Smith & Wesson New Departure 32 Safety Hammerless revolver, a very early First Variation blued revolver with 3 1/2" barrel made during the first year of production in 1888, cal. .32 S&W, SN: 1071, with special order butt swivel. Fixed/pinned half-moon nickeled front sight, fixed rear sight, and 5-shot cylinder with the serial number "1071" marked on the rear of the cylinder, under barrel latch area, and on the left side of the frame under grip. Checkered black hard rubber grips, the right panel scratch-numbered to match. Complete in an original factory box, end label marked "SMITH & WESSON, NEW 32 DEPARTURE. BLUED. 3 1/2 INCH." with directions for use imprinted inside lid and accompanied by coiled lanyard cord, sleeved cleaning brush, and factory letter dated July 18, 2005, confirming this revolver as very early first year gun with special order butt swivel, shipped in 1888 to a "T. Shepard". Separate summary sheet provided by consigner underscores rarity of the lanyard ring.

Condition:

VG+ original factory nickel front sight, the balance of the revolver with its original factory blue, color case hardened trigger, all with areas of thinning and light freckling as carefully imaged. Comparable condition hard rubber grips with flattened diamonds but no splits, repairs or significant losses. Mirror bore. Correct manual mechanics wrt extractor function and cylinder indexing. VG+ box with staining and light shelf wear, the lid attached to the body without separations or repairs. EXC original factory letter with a sealed Roy G. Jinks signature. ANTIQUE!