I'm trying to determine what pistol I have and what shell loads would be safe to shoot.
S&W 32 Long CTG
No model # behind yoke
Hand ejector
S/N 270,XXX
Barrel length 3 and 1/4 inches
Fixed sights
Right side plate has 5 screws (#4 in front of trigger guard)
Has strain screw.
I'm not sure how to attach an image of the pistol.
Thanks

Probably a .32 Hand Ejector, Third Model, WWI-era. As it says on the barrel, it takes .32 S&W Long ammunition but .32 S&W ammunition, which is shorter, will also fit. Not the easiest ammunition in the world to find, but it is available.

Does it look similar to this one (SN 299689)?

Yours is pretty close, so best I can estimate it is post WW1, probably 1919. Note that mine has no S&W logo or "Made in USA" roll mark which is common for the early post-war guns. (The Made in USA marking didn't start until about 1922)

If yours has the logo, then probably late pre-war would be likely. Not many, if any, of these were made during the war.

Forrest48, welcome to the forum.

If the serial number is stamped on the butt of the gun, the two first responders identified your revolver correctly. But if the gun has an original square butt and stocks that cover the bottom of the grip frame, that means the serial number would be on the forestrap behind the trigger guard. If that's the case, you have what is called a .32 Regulation Police. That's the same thing as the round butt hand ejector, but with a larger grip. The .32 RP was introduced in 1917.

Any modern .32 Long ammunition can be fired in your revolver, but I always shoot lower-speed wadcutter loads in my prewar .32s. Ammo made by some European manufacturers (Fiocchi, Sellier & Bellot) is available at semi-reasonable prices. Or you can reload. I like the S&B ammo a lot.

__________________
David Wilson

Thanks to all of you. Yes, the serial number is on the butt of the pistol. It looks like the picture that was posted by gordonrick above except it has a dark finish.
Thanks again. I'm still going to try and post a picture. :-)