Gentlemen; I am new here so first I'd like to say Hello!


I have an old top break that I believe is a 32 DA Third Model. Obviously I know it is a .32... my question is this: .32 what?


I can't seem to find this info anywhere; they just call it a .32.



Is it centerfire (.32 S&W) or rimfire (.32 RF) ? It is a nickel plated revolver and the nickel is in horrible condition but the gun is in great condition mechanically; the bore is clean with good rifling. It locks up good and everything is mostly smooth.



The serial number is 169706. There is a discrepancy here, too, as some references say that this number is withing the correct range while other references say it is too high, however it is the shape of the trigger guard and side plate that indicate it to be the model I stated. I'll attach a picture, too. Thanks!

Attached Images

	top break smith wesson.jpg (12.8 KB, 189 views)
	DSCF2957.jpg (54.7 KB, 155 views)
	DSCF2958.jpg (138.1 KB, 163 views)
	DSCF2955.jpg (64.2 KB, 135 views)

It's .32 S&W (not long) centerfire. I have several of those.
Any modern ammo you can find in that chambering is safe to shoot. Bothe Win and Rem have made it in the past few years. Other companies such as Fiocchi have probably made it as well.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

WELCOME ABOARD!!

It’s not a .32cf. It’s a 3rd Model Double Action .38 caliber centerfire S&W in the Antique serial number range. Original cartridge was a Black powder load of 15 grains of FFFG Black Powder and a 147 Grain lead round nose Bullet.

This 3rd Model was manufactured from 1884-1895. Total production is listed as 203,700. So your example was likely manufactured right around 1890.

Murph

Well I feel stupid for sure. I never even checked because I was told it was a 32... but, I happen to have a .38 special ctg handy any yes, it slipped right in, except of course it s too long. Understanding that the intended cartridge is black powder, was the original cartidge called 38 S&W?

Yes, .38 S&W. Remington, Winchester and a few others still make the cartridge and they are loaded light so they won't hurt a mechanically sound revolver if this vintage. Stay away from Buffalo Bore as they are loaded hotter for the solid frame hand ejectors and may destroy a top-break such as yours.

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Mike Maher #283

Yes, the Cartridge for your Revolver is simply known then and since as ".38 S&W".

While it is considered safe and fine to shoot modern .32 S & W in bye-gone era .32 S&W Revolvers, I think the prevailing wisdom for .38 S & W, is to stay with Black Powder Loads for Revolvers made in the Black Powder era.

I have one about like yours and it is actually very accurate and of course a lot of fun to shoot!

I can easily hold Silver Dollar size Groups at ten full paces, even though it is too small for my Hand and not comfortable, somehow it likes me! And we get very nice groups.

BP Cartridges are super easy to load one's self if you re-Load, and also they are sold by Buffalo Arms and other on-line places, or may be found on Gunbroker sometimes.

Thank you Guys!!


I really beat my head against the wall on this- The confusion of Model 3 vs DA 3rd Model, etc. I sincerely appreciate everyone's help!

First, Welcome to the Forum.

Not by a long shot! (no pun intended) Many knowledgeable and studied shooters would disagree. These revolvers are the same design pre- and post -1899 so I wonder what people find about them that would make them unsafe for today's lightly loaded factory 38 S&W.

Having shot black powder for decades in every thing from flintlocks, percussion revolvers, and cartridge guns, cleaning is NOT a breeze if done thoroughly. The residue and smoke gets everywhere, from the cylinder, bore, exterior and interior if shot enough. Soap and water is fine for muzzle-loaders since there is little to clean, but one cannot keep water out of the extractor system, top latch or even the mechanism. If one lives in a humid environment, the rusting problem is much worse.

Standard 145g LRN 38 S&W, loaded by Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi, is a great load to shoot at the range. If one reloads, even lighter loads can be produced that are also fine for punching holes in paper. As long as the revolver is functioning properly and free of defects, it can be enjoyed and shot. You have to realize, however, that even the smallest part or spring can break while shooting any ammunition. Parts, while available, are not always easy to find.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Okeydoke!

Good to know!

Standard 145g LRN 38 S&W, loaded by Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi, is a great load to shoot at the range.

If somebody knows where to buy 32 or 38 S&W that isn't $3/cartridge please let me know. If you buy original S&W at auction they want $150+/box. Yeah, all these mfg's say they make it but no one carries it!

A few years ago Bass Pro (KC) had them for about $30 for a box of 50.

I thought that was too much so I started reloading.

Books

In case you have not looked for ammunition lately, practically everything is back ordered for who knows how long. 38 S&W seems to be manufactured in batches and with hoarding going on AGAIN, it and lots of calibers are simply not available online or in stores. Heck, you cannot even find 38 Special in the several online ammo dealers that I have been checking. Sure am glad I have reloading equipment and supplies, but powder and primers are disappearing off shelves and online as well.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

It's beyond hoarding. When Ammoseek doesn't have one listing for .38 S&W, it's worrysome.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Try Gunbroker...I just looked and there are several listings for .32 S & W Ammunition.

Also quite a few listings for .32 S & W Long.

The problem here is that the OPs gun is a 38 S&W, not a 32 S&W. That caliber is not to be found anywhere I have searched.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Oh! Sorry...


There is also a bunch of new .38 S&W on Gunbroker at the moment, I just looked...

Saludos a todos los de foro. Soy nuevo.
Me gustaría conocer un poco sobre un revolver que poseo, si es un modelo 3 o 4. Se que su calibre es .32 según el numero de serie 28462.

En la parte superior del cañón se puede leer SMITH WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A PATD JAN. 17 &24.65 JULY 11.65 AUG. 24. 30. JULY 25.71. DEC. 2. 79. MAY 11 & 25.1880

Greetings to all of the forum. I'm new.
I would like to know a little about a revolver that I own, if it is a model 3 or 4. I know that its caliber is .32 according to the serial number 28462.

At the top of the barrel you can read SMITH WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A PATD JAN. 17 & 24.65 JULY 11.65 AUG. 24. 30. JULY 25.71. DEC. 2. 79. MAY 11 & 25.1880

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The reason the ammo is hard to find is because they are obsolete and nobody shoots them. Relative to modern ammo, the old stuff is poop. Dont depend on this old stuff for home or self carry defense.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Your revolver is actually known as a 32 S&W Double Action, 3rd Model, manufactured from 1882 to 1883, in serial number range 22,173 to 43,405.

The major difference between the 32 and 38 top-breaks is fairly easy to spot. Look straight up from the front of the trigger guard. If the cylinder does not come to that line, it is a 32. If the cylinder is slightly ahead of the trigger guard, it is a 38. Below are a couple for comparison.

Attached Images

P1010001.jpg (115.0 KB, 98 views)

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I keep it for collection purposes friend. Although I would like to be able to get ammunition, it is still in good condition. Greetings

Resplandor!! Thank you for your cooperation. I was able to locate the difference between the gauges well.

When looking for 38 S&W ammo you might want to beat the local bushes , small gun shops , sporting goods , hardware stores any small business that sells / sold ammo ... 38 S&W isn't that popular and sometimes a dusty box might be on a back shelf ... ask the people working there .

Welcome to the Forum
and Good Luck with ammo search ... save your empties , reloading is an option !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

At least in recent years, .38 S&W ammo has not been easily found (at least in retail stores) and if found would be quite expensive, typically $40-$50/box. It's likely that today's prices are substantially higher. This is due, of course, to the fact that there is not much consumer demand for it. I suppose it's possible that some dealers might be able to special order it for you. Gun shows and internet sales were formerly good sources for .38 S&W ammo, but I doubt if that is the case today. For anyone who wishes to shoot a .38 S&W revolver more than a few rounds occasionally, handloading has been the best way to go as it is not difficult to obtain brass, and any .38 Special lead bullet will work OK for the .38 S&W, albeit being a hair smaller in diameter than the standard .38 S&W bullet. However reloading today has its own problems in primer and powder availability and cost. There is absolutely no reason to fear using factory .38 S&W ammunition in even the oldest of the old-style top break revolvers as it is very lightly loaded. Reloading it with black powder is unnecessary and is fraught with other problems. For those owning more modern solid-frame revolvers chambered in .38 S&W, it is fairly easy to achieve .38 Special ballistics by handloading if desired.

One other piece of information. Not that it is any easier to find than .38 S&W (and in fact is probably more difficult to find), but .38 Short Colt ammunition can be used in any .38 S&W revolver, and I believe it is still being loaded. It is a bit of a sloppy fit in a .38 S&W chamber, but as it is also very lightly loaded, it is safe to use.