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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 03-05-2011, 08:03 PM
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Default School me on this old .32 Smith & Wesson

I took these pics for a friend of mine as neither of us had ever seen one of these Smith's up close. It is in .32. The cylinder pulls out, and the cylinder stop is on the top of the gun. Now, the bore on this gun is near mint, and the action is super tight and is like glass. I know the grips are not original. What was the story behind these guns and in this shape what would it be worth?


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Old 03-05-2011, 08:11 PM
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It's a First Model .32 Hand Ejector or Model 1896. There were 17,912 of them made from 1896 to 1903. The serial number would help in judging the approximate date. It should be on the bottom of the butt unless it was removed when someone butchered the grip frame. Value? Probably not more than $175-250 in that condition unless it has some provenance connecting it to a historical person or event.
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Old 03-05-2011, 08:15 PM
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The grip frame wasn't cut, those rubber grips go over the top of the bottom of the frame, its hard to tell that in the photos.
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Old 03-05-2011, 11:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alk8944 View Post
It's a First Model .32 Hand Ejector or Model 1896. There were 17,912 of them made from 1896 to 1903. The serial number would help in judging the approximate date. It should be on the bottom of the butt unless it was removed when someone butchered the grip frame. Value? Probably not more than $175-250 in that condition unless it has some provenance connecting it to a historical person or event.
I'd pay $175-$200 for that gun all day long. I think it would go for more than this. I have two of these interesting old revolvers. I think blue is less common than nickel.
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Old 03-05-2011, 11:44 PM
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David,

Looking again I can see you're right about the grips. They sure make the bottom of the frame look odd. I'd probably say $350-400 or maybe a little more assuming it is otherwise mechanically sound.
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Old 03-06-2011, 12:56 AM
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It's early enough to be a long hammer version.
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Old 03-06-2011, 11:36 PM
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A neat old example.
If that is the orig blue, and I think that it is, that gun should bring $375-500 with the right grips. Hard to get closer with just a few pics. The brown is most likely "flaking", not rust damage.
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Old 03-07-2011, 03:02 AM
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I think those are suppossed to be the very first K-32's ! Roy has a picture in his book, but I think its a
7-shot revolver - maybe.

Does anyone know what the frame size is ?

Mike Priwer
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Old 03-07-2011, 07:03 AM
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Originally Posted by mikepriwer View Post
I think those are suppossed to be the very first K-32's ! Roy has a picture in his book, but I think its a
7-shot revolver - maybe.

Does anyone know what the frame size is ?

Mike Priwer

Mike,
It's an I frame 'size' but not identical to the later I frame in shape. Specifically, the top strap has different contours.
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Old 03-07-2011, 11:32 AM
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The gripframe on these is the same as the .38 caliber top break grip frame. The grips are interchangeable. It shouldn't be too hard to find correct grips for it. Mine both have pearl grips:



Oops I forgot. I actually have 3 of these. I also have this basket case snubnose that I hope to get back together someday. I will most likely be sending it off to Dave Chicoine.


Last edited by twaits; 03-08-2011 at 10:57 AM.
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  #11  
Old 03-07-2011, 11:35 AM
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Default old .32

Very interesting. Thinking 6 shot, as the cylinder stop notches are over the chambers, rather than to the rear of the flutes.

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Dyson
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Old 03-07-2011, 11:36 AM
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Quote:
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Very interesting. Thinking 6 shot, as the cylinder stop notches are over the chambers, rather than to the rear of the flutes.

Regards,

Dyson
Yup all first model HEs are .32 long with 6 shot cylinders
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  #13  
Old 03-07-2011, 11:39 AM
Bell Charter Oak Holsters Bell Charter Oak Holsters is offline
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Here's a photo of mine with the original grips.


Cheers;
Lefty
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Old 03-08-2011, 10:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldflatfoot View Post
Here's a photo of mine with the original grips.


Cheers;
Lefty
Thats a really beautiful one!
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Old 03-09-2011, 12:46 AM
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Gorgeous specimen, oldflatfoot!

Heck, I'll trade ya two RG revolvers and a Lorcin for it! LOL
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Old 03-09-2011, 06:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom turner View Post
Gorgeous specimen, oldflatfoot!

Heck, I'll trade ya two RG revolvers and a Lorcin for it! LOL
A very tempting offer. If you throw in a couple of boxes of ammo, I'd really have to consider your offer.....NAH!

Cheers;
Lefty
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