Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! This .32 Safety Hammerless isn’t just a gun – it’s wearable art from America’s premier luxury retailer. Between the 1880s and early 1900s, Tiffany & Co. created some of the most elaborate and expensive custom firearms ever made, with this S&W revolver standing as one of those rare examples that survived. What makes Tiffany guns special is the meticulous craftsmanship. The sterling silver grip on this revolver features delicate Art Nouveau floral scrollwork, with the original owner’s initials “P.D.O.” worked into the design. The characteristic Tiffany signature mark “TIFFANY & CO./10076M7806/STERLING” verifies its authenticity, with the “M” code indicating production between 1873-1891. These luxury firearms weren’t cheap – Tiffany charged between $50-300 for their “rich and elaborate decorations” (roughly $1,400-8,600 in today’s money). The factory letter confirms this revolver was shipped directly to Tiffany & Co. in New York City on October 30, 1889, with its original nickel finish and black hard rubber grips before receiving its silver makeover. S&W seems to have benefited most from Tiffany’s artistic touch – more Tiffany-embellished S&Ws are known to exist than similar Colt or Winchester examples. The Metropolitan Museum of Art displays the largest public collection of Tiffany firearms, many coming from Dr. Gerald Klaz, who also once owned this very revolver. For collectors, these Tiffany guns represent the pinnacle of American firearms as luxury objects – when guns weren’t just tools, but status symbols crafted by the same artisans making jewelry for America’s elite.
“Tiffany Smith & Wesson 32 Safety Hammerless Revolver.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4094/1165/tiffany-smith-wesson-32-safety-hammerless-revolver. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
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