Discussions relating to collecting in general, the 38 Military & Police revolver, and Smith & Wesson's Civil War era.
32 Hand Ejector or 32 Regulation Police?
Since this is a question that pops up on the forum on a fairly regular basis, I thought I'd try to offer a little clarity.
“How do you tell the difference between a pre-war 32 Hand Ejector and a 32 Regulation Police of the same era?”
Smith & Wesson was not very accommodating with this model in that they did not roll mark “Regulation Police” on the firearm anywhere. The serial number range also runs concurrently with the 32 Hand Ejector Third Model, making it more difficult to distinguish between the two.
Two ways to easily ID these from each other:
First…
• The serial number of the 32 HE is located on the base of the grip frame.
• The serial number of the 32 Regulation Police is on the front tang of the grip frame.
Second…
• The 32 HE is built on a round butt I-frame with either round butt diamond walnut stocks with no S&W monogram or black hard rubber round butt stocks with the S&W monogram.
• The Regulation Police is built on a square butt I-frame with a shouldered or “rebated” back strap. The grips are a new style checkered walnut, with medallion, specifically designed for this model. The grip patent date of “Pat. June 5, 1917” is found stamped in the bottom of the left panel. These grips do not interchange with prior models.
The following photos depict these differences between a 32 HE Third Model and a 32 Regulation Police of the same era. Enjoy...and hope this helps at least one member.
Relish the Quest !
“How do you tell the difference between a pre-war 32 Hand Ejector and a 32 Regulation Police of the same era?”
Smith & Wesson was not very accommodating with this model in that they did not roll mark “Regulation Police” on the firearm anywhere. The serial number range also runs concurrently with the 32 Hand Ejector Third Model, making it more difficult to distinguish between the two.
Two ways to easily ID these from each other:
First…
• The serial number of the 32 HE is located on the base of the grip frame.
• The serial number of the 32 Regulation Police is on the front tang of the grip frame.
Second…
• The 32 HE is built on a round butt I-frame with either round butt diamond walnut stocks with no S&W monogram or black hard rubber round butt stocks with the S&W monogram.
• The Regulation Police is built on a square butt I-frame with a shouldered or “rebated” back strap. The grips are a new style checkered walnut, with medallion, specifically designed for this model. The grip patent date of “Pat. June 5, 1917” is found stamped in the bottom of the left panel. These grips do not interchange with prior models.
The following photos depict these differences between a 32 HE Third Model and a 32 Regulation Police of the same era. Enjoy...and hope this helps at least one member.
Relish the Quest !
Total Comments 4
Comments
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Thank you pace40. This is exactly the information I was looking for. From reading books and even visiting my local shop, I could not find a definitive answer until reading your post.
Thanks again!Posted 03-14-2010 at 03:08 PM by cj415
- I was given a .32 S&W CTG serial # 312xxx. I'm not a collector but I would like to know what I was given. Can anyone helpme identify this piece.
thanksPosted 05-01-2010 at 08:20 AM by geoevterry - Great info, just picked up a 32 and was looking for info and found my answer here. proud owner of a reg police, Thanks!!!!Posted 10-21-2010 at 04:57 PM by sniperecho6
- I've got a 6" 32 winchester CTG S&W sn54xx on the handle and B41838 on the barrel . Gun is mint, can still read pat'd jan 29 on the round grips.Posted 03-09-2013 at 04:33 PM by irishwonder
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