Hi Guys. My dad recently gave me this old Smith&Wesson 32. It was in really bad shape, it was seized up. Anyway, I managed to clean up most of the surface rust, and with some pertinent oil freed up the mechanism. I would like to replace the grips(As one side is missing half, so I removed both sides, they are white, plastic i assume)

So, now to my question, the mechanism doesnt work correctly. It will only operate the firing mechanism, if the barrel is aimed up. And it will not advance the cylinder. I removed the side access plate, and I noticed that the little pawl, that engages the "hammer" cam, will only engage with help from gravity. Plus, the little piece that advances the cylinder will only engage it with help from my finger. Seems almost like a spring or something is missing. Ideas? I will try to post pictures.

You are missing a couple small springs - The hand spring and possibly the sear spring. Look up Numrich Gun Parts Co., on Google and see the parts list & parts pictures for the S&W .32 safety hammerless models. It also appears the gun may be an original 2 inch barrel, if it hasn't been cut down from a longer barrel. 2 inch barrels are uncommon. Ed.

The spring that actuates both the hand that turns the cylinder and the double action sear is missing. I believe that I see the cylinder lock spring still in place. The sear/hand spring is a very small flat spring and can be made from a piece of flat spring stock with a file and a good bit of time.

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Tom
1560

Thanks. So what frame would this be? I didn't see anything on the site that said CTG.

Wow, that's a bit rough. The spring that skeeter57 said was missing runs between the hand (the Shepherds Crook looking part) and the hammer pawl just below it. The good information is that the "split spring" below the hammer appears to be intact. They are almost impossible to locate if they are broken.

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Mike Maher #283

Welcome to the Forum. You have a 32 Safety Hammerless revolver. It is chambered for 32 S&W. You already got advise about mechanical parts you need for the gun. The stocks should be black hard rubber with the S&W logo at the top. eBay often has original stocks and both 32 Safety and 32 Double Action stocks will fit. Also, Vintagegungips.com has reproduction stocks.

Original 2" barreled 32 Safety revolvers were called Bicycle Guns and they had small 2 line stamping on the right side of the barrel and no stamping a on the rib of the barrel. Take a look and let us know what you find.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Are you sure the grips are plastic ? take a close look and make sure.

The grips I took off...were white...plastic, ivory? Im still trying to figure out what frame this is...numrich.com lists many different diagrams for sale...but I have to know what frame it is. hehe...unfortunately, all i know is CTG and .32. Hammerless top brake. Thanks for the help so far.

Ok if you want to get technical it is a G frame

Attached Images

Obscure Frame Sizes.jpg (103.0 KB, 33 views)

CTG stands for Cartridge, as in the 32 Smith & Wesson Cartridge, which is what it fires. This gun is not known by the "Frame" letter, it predates that. Like was said above, it is a 32 Safety Hammerless or New Departure revolver.

Thanks All

If its serial # is below 91400, it is a BATFE "Antique" and is not considered to be a firearm within the meaning of GCA-1968. These are often seen with Mother-of-Pearl grips, and that's what those you describe may have been. Often seen as chipped or cracked. Otherwise they were normally black hard rubber. There are various sources for modern-made black plastic replicas. Check the internet.

Welcome to the forum.

You may also want to post your parts needs here on the forum under the appropriate forum sub section. Many of the members have or collect boxes of old parts or parts guns for just such an occasion. I know because I just put together a 1 1/2 new model that had missing pieces and is now back to working condition thanks to several forum members. To me anyway, it is a real rush when you see one of these 100+ year old's back in functioning shape.

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James Redfield
LM #497

To test grips, heat a piece of wire red hot, touch the grip, it it melts it is plastic, if not, ivory or possibly something else.

No one selling stocks, including the reproduction makers knows what the heck a G frame is and you will never find it referenced. As said above, look for 32 Double Action or 32 Safety Hammerless stocks - they will fit.

Caveat is that all original hard rubber stocks were hand-fitted to the frame, so slight variances in size will be noted.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

OK, so i got the hand spring from Jack First in Rapid City, SD. While I am a pretty handy guy, and I can see where the spring goes, can I install it while the trigger is still in the gun or do I need to remove the trigger? I am worried about bending the little arm that rotates the barrel...that the spring is pressed in. Thanks!

New can-o-worms. You "can" install the spring without taking the cylinder pawl (and trigger) out of the revolver but you must support the pawl (Shepard's Crook part) while installing the spring. You will need to start the spring on the pawl and simultaneously hook the bottom of the spring on the hammer pawl. You may be able to support the cylinder pawl with the blade of a screwdriver or other block that fits between the pawl and the frame. Lightly tap the spring to start it into place as it is a tight fit. Make sure the other end is pushing the hammer pawl towards the hammer as if the spring is installed backward you will have a bigger problem to deal with. Buenos suerte!

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Mike Maher #283