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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #1  
Old 10-22-2020, 04:54 PM
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Default 1903 hand ejector .32 long

A buddy has what he believes to be an early release of one of these.

Nickel.

What specifics should he look for in order to date it? Number of screws? Stamped number ranges? Other?

Thanks!
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Old 10-22-2020, 05:36 PM
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The serial number is the best ID, coupled with some good, clear pictures.
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Old 10-22-2020, 05:42 PM
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Be sure your buddy provides the serial # from the butt of the grip frame.
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Old 10-22-2020, 06:02 PM
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If a Model of 1903, they will all have 5 screws. Pretty much the only way to tell one "change" from another is the serial number. The "Model of 1896" was actually the .32 Hand Ejector First Model. The "Model of 1903" was the .32 Hand Ejector Second Model. There were 5 changes associated with the Second Model. Lastly there was the .32 Hand Ejector Third Model.

Model 1903 1 - 19,425
First Change 19,426 - 51,126 1904-1906
Second Change 51,127 - 95,500 1906-1909
Third Change 95,501 - 96,125 1909-1910
Fourth Change 96,126 - 102,500 1910
Fifth Change 102,501 - 263,000 1910-1917
Third Model 263,001 - 536,684 Produced until 1942

Above information taken from "History of Smith & Wesson" by Roy Jinks. Hope this helps.
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Old 10-22-2020, 06:20 PM
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Awesome stuff guys! Much thanks.

I'll pass along the info and will update with whatever he provides.

Thanks!
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Old 10-22-2020, 06:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kscharlie View Post
If a Model of 1903, they will all have 5 screws.
I'm being told it has 4 screws???
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Old 10-22-2020, 06:55 PM
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Just from looking around on Google images I see some with "hole" on the side of the hammer and some without.

Does this date some of those photos?
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Old 10-22-2020, 08:15 PM
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I'm told serial number is lower 300,000. So lower to mid 1920s.

Would original grips have any markings?
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Old 10-22-2020, 08:39 PM
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The left grip should have the S/N stamped on the inside
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Old 10-22-2020, 11:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gr7070 View Post
I'm being told it has 4 screws???
4 screws in the sideplate, 1 screw in front of the trigger guard = 5 screws.

The pin that holds the hammer nose on can be solid or hollow. Not sure when solid pins went away.

If the stocks are hard rubber, the serial number should be scratched onto the inside of the right panel. This can be quite difficult to see sometimes.

If you can provide the actual serial number, there are folks here who can narrow down the possible year of shipment.
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Old 10-23-2020, 09:06 AM
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Unfortunate he didn't send photos or exact info.

Much appreciate the help.
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Old 10-23-2020, 09:10 AM
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I'm curious what these are worth.

His sounds like it is in good shape. No/little rust. Definitely been used, scratched, dinged.

A big guess is all I need. Knowing him this one, likes most his would never be sold. I'm just curious if these are worth much or just, say, 500 bucks or a grand maybe?
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Old 10-23-2020, 09:22 AM
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Need pictures to give an estimate on value. From what you say, I’d guess around $200 or so.


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Old 10-23-2020, 12:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gr7070 View Post
I'm curious what these are worth.

His sounds like it is in good shape. No/little rust. Definitely been used, scratched, dinged.

A big guess is all I need. Knowing him this one, likes most his would never be sold. I'm just curious if these are worth much or just, say, 500 bucks or a grand maybe?

In my world , it would have to be LNIB to be worth $500 or more.

I bought a 3 1/4" nickel with perfect hard rubber grips pre WW II .32 Hand Ejector for $325. This was 3 years ago & prices haven't gone up that much on the .32 revolvers.
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Old 10-23-2020, 01:05 PM
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I think the number of screws is said to be 6 for the I frame guns. The strain screw is counted on the small frame guns. It is probably more pertinent on post WWII guns because of the introduction of the coil mainspring.
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Old 10-24-2020, 07:13 AM
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I have a bucket load of 32s, and the only ones worth over $500, are target models .. and a couple of mine are in very nice condition. Like the man said, dinged and scratched they are $2-300....

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Old 10-24-2020, 09:57 AM
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I paid $275 for a 1919'ish Third Model two Christmases ago.

I-frame .32 Long

You just don't see too many of them in the shops around my parts.

Last edited by tenntex32; 10-24-2020 at 09:58 AM.
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