New to the forum and I'm looking for a little info on a S&W .32 Long Snubnose revolver I got from my Grandfather when he passed. It is a round butt, 4 screw , no model # behind yoke, hand ejector,fixed sight, serial #: 640546. When was it made? And what is it worth, approximately, in fair/good condition?

Welcome! This sounds to be a .32 Hand Ejector from the mid 1950s; someone here may get you a specific year. After 1957 it would have been called a model 30. Value estimates are better with photos, but if it is mechanically sound it may be worth $250 (very worn) up to about $450 (minimal wear). Of course, if you sold it you could not pay a replacement cost, as the other one would not be your grandfather's gun, right?

Is there an interesting family story behind it? Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks Alan! Glad I found the forum! Very true on fact it was my grandfather's gun. He was big into flea markets and swap meets and he picked this one and two more up, one being a .32 on a .38 frame, sometime during the early '60's. Gave one to my Dad and one to my Mom.will see if I can get a picture on here.

Welcome to the best forum on the Internet! Stick around. There is much to learn here and you will get acquainted with numerous "characters," all of whom love old S&W revolvers!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Here's my little .32 ... have been curious about it's history since it was given to me years ago.

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Was able to get the picture attached.

Either the .32 Hand Ejector or the .32 Regulation Police with the 2" barrel are great little guns. Easy to carry, easy to shoot and with proper ammunition and critical shot placement a reasonable self defense piece. I emphasize shot placement and ammunition because otherwise it is not a great SD weapon. It beats no gun at all. Many decades ago law enforcement personnel carried .32's on the beat. Not so today. Here is mine. I'm guessing yours is from the mid-50's but some one here should be able to pin it down much better.

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Welcome to the forum.

You have a "Model of 1953" New I frame, .32 Hand Ejector from the spring or early summer of 1956. Shows a bit of finish loss but still worth $250 to $275. It's a great family heirloom that I would never sell if it were mine. My grandfather gave me my first .32 HE that was made about 1914.

The great grandfather of your model .32 was S&W's very 1st swing out cylinder in 1896. Since then, different calibers and frame sizes were added in the Hand Ejector design.

Have you shot it much? They are fun to shoot and very accurate even with the 2" barrel.

Hope this helps,

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Great post! An awful lot of these .32s protected folks years ago. Paper ballistics aside, no one really wants to get shot. Would like to have a dollar for every one of these that protected a merchant carrying the day's receipts to the bank in the days when cash was the medium of exchange. They are lightweight, easy to carry and conceal, and .32 ammunition years ago was reasonable in cost. The 2" models, for some reason seem to handle better than .38s on the same frame. Wonder why.

Would love to find one of these little gems in good condition.
Still kick myself for not buying that minty .32 Colt NP Detective Special 4 years ago because it was not a .38. $475.00.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Have you shot it much? They are fun to shoot and very accurate even with the 2" barrel.

Hope this helps,[/QUOTE]

Its been a while since I've shot it, but you are right about accuracy. Can't reach out like I can with my .357, but fun up close.

Thanks for the photo and the story. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

This one is s/n 58978X and shipped July 1952. Guesstimate on yours would be mid to late 1953. They are wonderful little guns.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

the little guns are super accurate to be 2" pistols, the little I frames will also be call the S&W terrier, I have one in the 38s&w caliber , and love it

I currently have a crush on 32 longs so don't get me started.

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>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

That's a screamin' Improved I frame!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Yes they are sweet. Only the .38 S&Ws are actually Terriers in both I and J frames.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Just caught the part about "one being a .32 on a .38 frame". Both guns are priceless heirlooms because they belonged to your grandfather. However, if the other one would happen to be a K-32 (or Model 16), then you're talking about a whole different ballgame as far as monetary value goes. Does it look anything like the one pictured here?

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