I was just handed an old S&W .32. It needs cleaning badly, but there isn't any pitting and it seems to be in working condition.

Can someone help me with the model and manufacturing date, and what ammo can be safely used in it?

Here are the specs:

Break top
5 round cylinder
Original grips
Blued trigger and trigger guard
S/N on butt and cylinder: 137477

Welcome to the Forum. Exposed hammer top break or hammerless? S&W made both and the serial numbers of both exceeded yours. Pictures?

I'm visiting relatives, so no pictures for a few days.

It's an exposed hammer. It also has a rear site with adjustment screw

And, sorry, the S/N on the grip was a little worn. I checked the cylinder S/N with a magnifying glass. The correct number is 117477.

The top strap has the following info:
Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass U.S.A. PAT'D JAN 24 65 JULY 11 65 AUG 24 69 REISSUE JULY 25 71 MAY 11 80 JAN 3 82

JackR, From your description, I believe your S&W is a .32 Double Action, 4th model, probably made around the mid 1890s. Correct ammo. would be .32S&W centerfire. Ed

"It also has a rear site with adjustment screw"

This is highly unusual. Please show pictures.

Is the front sight a little different also? Square top, bead top, etc.? A 32 top break "Target" is pretty uncommon.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

No, just a straight blade front site.

Re the rear site, it appears to be a standard notch type, but there is a flat head set screw to the left of it, which I assume (maybe wrongly assume) is for adjusting elevation.

Pictures will be necessary to determine just what you have, especially the screw area by the sights you mention.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Jack R - the screw head on the left side of the barrel frame above the cylinder holds the barrel latch assembly in place and does not move the sights. If you look closely, you should see the sight is forged with the top frame.