Antique First Model New Departure Smith & Wesson 32 S&W Excellent

Serial #35330, .32 S&W, 3 inch round ribbed barrel with a bright, near excellent bore with some very small patches of surface roughness about mid barrel.  This is a first model Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless known as the New Departure or “Lemon Squeezer” double action revolver distinguished by the barrel release latch in the center of the topstrap.  In excellent condition the barrel and frame retain virtually all, 97-98% of the original bright nickel finish with some isolated flaking around the frame side plate screw and has some light surface marks.  The blue trigger guard is likewise excellent with some very moderate thinning along the bottom and the trigger shows muted original case-hardening color.  The brown hard rubber S&W monogrammed grips rate about excellent with some wear and flattening of the high points.  It has a tight lock up and is mechanically functional.  An excellent example of the S&W 1st model Safety Hammerless.  Antique