Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961
o

Notices

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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-09-2010, 04:20 PM
KarenS KarenS is offline
Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Need some info. on .32 revolver

Hi - I have a .32 revolver with a black hard rubber handle. This belonged to my grandmother - she died in 1987 in her 80's. It hasn't been shot in probably 35 years.

Can you tell me anything about this gun? Year, value, etc.? The serial # is 204907.

Thanks - K

Additionally, on the top of the barrel (which is 2.5" long) it says: Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. USA Pat'd March 27, 94, Aug 4, 98, Dec. 22, 96, Oct. 6, 01, Dec 17, 01, Feb 8, 06, Sept. 14, 09.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-09-2010, 05:18 PM
alaskavett alaskavett is offline
US Veteran
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Wasilla ALASKA
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 2,293
Liked 259 Times in 154 Posts
Default

Karen, can you post photos of this gun? There are a few possibilities on what it might be. Is it a top break or does the cylinder swing out to the left? Kyle
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-09-2010, 05:24 PM
opoefc opoefc is offline
Absent Comrade
US Veteran
SWCA Founding Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 10,536
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
Default

KarenS, Welcome to the Forum. Your S&W is called a Hand ejector model ( cylinder swings out to the left to load) and it is a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 5th change, made approximately 1915.
Post a photo, if possible, and we can tell you more about what you have. Unless it has been cut, your barrel length is probably 3 1/4 in. (Measure from the front ofthe cylinder to the muzzle.) Good Luck, Ed.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-09-2010, 07:37 PM
tom turner's Avatar
tom turner tom turner is offline
US Veteran
Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 180
Liked 2,270 Times in 285 Posts
Default

Hi Karen,

What a special revolver your late grandmother's is to you . . . and also a very fun little revolver to shoot!!!

If it is in good shape, as it probably is, you should be about to really enjoy shooting it with .32 S&W long ammunition.

Here's mine, from the same time period. Mine has the 1" longer barrel. These wonderful revolvers came either blued or in bright nickel plate. Obviously, mine is nickel. It is a very accurate, and soft-shooting revolver!

You're should look like it, although in the shorter barrel length.

Hope this helps.





Tom
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-09-2010, 07:46 PM
DCWilson's Avatar
DCWilson DCWilson is offline
SWCA Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 13,993
Likes: 4,998
Liked 7,681 Times in 2,618 Posts
Default

Karen, I also welcome you to the forum. Here's a picture of a .32 Hand Ejector I recently acquired that is numbered 214622 -- only 10,000 away from yours. I have confirmed that this is a 1915 gun. As Ed said, yours probably is too, though there is a chance yours might have shipped in late 1914. Sorry about the rose cast to the image. I was shooting on a flat green surface and the camera's color balance software tried to turn it gray.



These guns came with 3.25, 4.25 and 6-inch barrels. The barrel on mine is 4.25". I also have hard rubber grips, but mine have faded to brown from age; I don't think that's the original color.

I had this at the range last week. I shoot low-speed wadcutter rounds in it. It makes for an enjoyable, low-recoil shooting session.

Value will depend on condition. I paid just over $300 for mine and thought it was a fair price for a gun with a good action and about 95% of its original blue left.
__________________
David Wilson
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-09-2010, 08:21 PM
KarenS KarenS is offline
Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Pictures of .32 revolver

The revolver's chamber flips out to the left side to load. The barrel is 3.25" - thanks for helping me measure it.

Hope this info. helps you share more about the gun.

Thanks - Karen
Attached Images
File Type: jpg photo-2.jpg (33.6 KB, 247 views)
File Type: jpg photo1.jpg (32.0 KB, 141 views)
File Type: jpg photo-3.jpg (31.9 KB, 137 views)
File Type: jpg photo-4.jpg (31.4 KB, 119 views)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-09-2010, 08:48 PM
ar15ed ar15ed is offline
Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: western north carolina
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 0
Liked 165 Times in 62 Posts
Default

that is a beauty. they are fine little guns!
ed
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-09-2010, 10:18 PM
DCWilson's Avatar
DCWilson DCWilson is offline
SWCA Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 13,993
Likes: 4,998
Liked 7,681 Times in 2,618 Posts
Default

Most of what remains unsaid about your gun is general history. S&W introduced the .32 Hand Ejector (swing-out cylinder) in 1896, then tinkered with the design for the next few years. By 1915 they had the design pretty much where they wanted it, and it stayed that way for decades.

Between the gun's introduction and the onset of WWII, the company made about half a million .32 Hand Ejectors. The small .32 caliber revolver was more popular in the first half of the 20th century than it was after WWII, when law enforcement agencies and popular psychology migrated more to the .38 special cartridge on a slightly larger revolver frame.

I can't quite tell from your photos, but it appears that the finish is very thin or even missing on parts of this revolver. That will hold its value down, but then a family heirloom is rarely valued in terms of its retail potential. I don't see any rust or corrosion, which is good. If the finish is better than I think it is, that gun would be a $300-350 item in most gun stores. If the finish is a little worn but the action is still sound, I might expect to see it sell for $200-250.

Hope this helps.
__________________
David Wilson
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-09-2010, 10:25 PM
KarenS KarenS is offline
Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Thanks for the info.

Wow - so much detailed info. - it adds so much to what i know from the family. The finish is dull but clean. This site is a good service. Thanks again - Karen
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-10-2010, 12:09 AM
tom turner's Avatar
tom turner tom turner is offline
US Veteran
Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 180
Liked 2,270 Times in 285 Posts
Default

We're glad to help. Like with all .32 S&W long revolvers, each is "fussy" about what ammo a particular specimen "likes."

DC's "likes" wadcutters (most probably do too), but mine didn't. On the other hand, mine "likes" lead round nose! Go figure. In any case, pick up a couple of boxes of different stuff and have some real fun with that gun!

Here's what mine did with Fiocchi 97gr. lead round nose recently, shot at 10 yards (from a bench) at little 1" black square targets with 1" round florescent stick-on dot targets attached.

In both cases, five-shot groups measured an inch or less, and nearly dead-on for point of aim.

Low noise and negligible recoil make shooting .32 long ammo about as fun as .22LR!



Here are all four groups from that target, and you'll see that the two groups on top, shot with target wadcutter (also Fiocchi) were not nearly as accurate in my specimen . . .
BTW, the three holes on the left side are the 3-ring notebook paper holes on my homemade black square target sheets. I put a piece of colored paper below the target so you could better see the holes. As you can see too, wadcutter bullets make surgically clean holes, but round nose bullets tear paper and make little holes, even though bullet diameter is the same. Hope this helps . . .



T.

PS: Naturally, check out the revolver and make sure it is still in fine operating condition first. If you don't know how, a local gun shop can do this for you at a very nominal fee.

I recently bought mine and it was as good as new, operationally. The round front sight DOES make one have to be a little more careful with getting perfect sight alignment . . . but these guns can SHOOT . . . even after nearly 100 years!

Treasure . . . and enjoy!

Last edited by tom turner; 11-10-2010 at 12:16 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11-10-2010, 11:09 AM
rschoppe rschoppe is offline
Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Terrier One 32 Revolver Sn 003516
Can anyone tell me if this weapon is worth anything, its at an auction not sure what the value is
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-10-2010, 08:20 PM
tom turner's Avatar
tom turner tom turner is offline
US Veteran
Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 180
Liked 2,270 Times in 285 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rschoppe View Post
Terrier One 32 Revolver Sn 003516
Can anyone tell me if this weapon is worth anything, its at an auction not sure what the value is
Hi, and welcome to the forum.

This thread has about run its course, and the chances are high your off-topic question will get buried.

Thus, I'd kindly suggest that you start a new thread in this section and ask for help on that gun in the title of the thread. There are a lot of true experts on this site who will be very glad to help!

Sincerely,

Tom Turner
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-10-2010, 10:49 PM
Boon Boon is offline
Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Source for .32 long cartridges?

I have a .32 cal. S&W, 4-1/4" barrel (measured from front of cylinder to muzzle); seven patent dates on barrel range from March 27, 94 to Sept. 14, 09 (inherited it from my grandfather). The nickel coating is pretty badly worn, but the gun is mechanically solid; the best I can gather from your forums is that it's only worth about $200-$250 in that condition, but it's a perfect home firearm for personal protection. My problem is finding ammunition; our local gun shop only had target-shooting "wad-cutters," which I suspect wouldn't have much stopping power for personal protection. I would like to buy a box of standard round-nose cartridges, but they're hard to find. Is there an online source, or does anyone know of a source near Atlanta, GA? Thanks--
--"Boon"
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11-10-2010, 11:11 PM
tom turner's Avatar
tom turner tom turner is offline
US Veteran
Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 180
Liked 2,270 Times in 285 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boon View Post
I have a .32 cal. S&W, 4-1/4" barrel (measured from front of cylinder to muzzle); seven patent dates on barrel range from March 27, 94 to Sept. 14, 09 (inherited it from my grandfather). The nickel coating is pretty badly worn, but the gun is mechanically solid; the best I can gather from your forums is that it's only worth about $200-$250 in that condition, but it's a perfect home firearm for personal protection. My problem is finding ammunition; our local gun shop only had target-shooting "wad-cutters," which I suspect wouldn't have much stopping power for personal protection. I would like to buy a box of standard round-nose cartridges, but they're hard to find. Is there an online source, or does anyone know of a source near Atlanta, GA? Thanks--
--"Boon"
Welcome to the forum!

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about wadcutters. They are actually very good self defense rounds, due to the very clean wound channel they make . . . as opposed to the lead round nose type bullets that generally punch a hole that's much easier to close up as the bullet enters the flesh.

I carry wadcutters a lot in my .38 snubbies . . . as well as wadcutters for self defense in my Model 1903 .32 revolver!

Check places like Bass Pro Shops, Cabellas, as well as most decent gun shops in the Atlanta area and I'll bet you'll find several varieties of .32 S&W Long ammo. Ammo supplies are finally freeing up again!

Also, if you'll post a new thread about finding .32 revolver ammo in the Atlanta area, several Georgians from that area are quite liable to see it and answer your question!

I'd post it in this sub-forum AND the 1961-1980 forum too so various folks see your question.

Again, welcome to the forum but warning . . . this place . . . and wanting MORE S&W revolvers becomes a hopeless addiction indeed!!!

Tom
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-10-2010, 11:15 PM
Boon Boon is offline
Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Thanks, Tom...

...I'll try all those suggestions.
--Boon
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 11-10-2010, 11:29 PM
jhvaughan2's Avatar
jhvaughan2 jhvaughan2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
Liked 111 Times in 41 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tom turner View Post
Low noise and negligible recoil make shooting .32 long ammo about as fun as .22LR!
I am sure Mr Turner is more knowledgeable than, but I have to disagree with him on this point.
Shooting .32l is much more fun than .22lr.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boon View Post
Is there an online source, or does anyone know of a source near Atlanta, GA? Thanks--
--"Boon"
Mr. Boon; Call your local gun range. Some stock the 32 long.
I have found the Fiocchi are very good quality. Aguila have been dirty in my .32
A good online source is Georgia Arms a GA company. You can even go to their showroom in Villa Rica.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 11-11-2010, 12:19 AM
sunday bill sunday bill is offline
Member
Need some info. on .32 revolver  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 303
Likes: 21
Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts
Default

Just traded a couple days ago for serial # 2065XX. Its barrel is 3 and an eighth inches, its monogrammed black rubber grips are near new condition, and its blue is about 95% but some rust has spider webbed around on the sideplate (right side)where its small S&W logo is located. I guess this is one of the "few" the SCSW mentions as sporting its logo in this location.

This little 1903-5th Change looks just like the .32 I inherited from my g-great dad, but that gun's serial # (3214XX) indicates its a .32 HE 3rd Model. Its S&W logo is on the left side below the thumb piece, where the SCSW says it should be. Pap carved his initials and 1924 in its right grip panel. Its grips are otherwise identical to the older gun's grips. Its blue shows a lot of wear and its grips are nearly worn slick, all of which is priceless to me as one family member or another put all that wear on there. No excuse for not yet lettering this old Smith.

Both shoot down the middle.

My reason for trading for the 1903-5th Change is that it will give me a pair of .32s I can shoot in a cowboy action match that allows early double actions in a special class. Just thought it would be cool to shoot a match with my great grand dad's old revolver.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
22lr, cartridge, ejector, fiocchi, hand ejector, model 1903, scsw, sideplate, springfield, terrier, wadcutter, wwii

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Info Please on a .38 S&W Revolver 18kperhr S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 3 01-04-2015 03:57 PM
info on one more revolver chevyiron420 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 2 11-12-2012 06:29 AM
Revolver info sw1115 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 3 05-23-2011 06:47 PM
Need info on my 29-2 revolver ds13ema S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 4 02-25-2011 11:33 AM
Need help getting info on old revolver imgettingcloser S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 12 02-12-2010 01:45 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:49 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)