When exactly was manufactured this SW?

CABEDA · #1 08-21-2015, 11:41 PM

I recently inherited from my father a revolver Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector Third Model .32 ctg, 6-inch barrel, 6 shots, patented Feb 8 08 Sept 14 09 Dec 29 14 Serial Number 332 660 is on the butt. I would like to know if anyone knows the exact year of manufacture and price? Is a rare gun?

murphydog · #2 08-22-2015, 01:05 AM

Welcome! Others may be along with an exact year, but it is likely from the 1917 time frame or so. A factory letter will give you its exact ship date and destination:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...4_757812_image

Well over 550,000 of this model were produced between 1903 and the beginning of WW II; there is no way to know how many survive today, but they are not rare.

Value is dependent on condition - imagine the difference in price between a 1917 Ford Model T that sat in a museum versus a swamp for the past 98 years?

Detailed photos from various angles help greatly for an estimate.

Hondo44 · #3 08-22-2015, 02:31 AM

Cabeda,

Welcome to the forum.

At serial # approximately 321000 .32 cylinders began being Heat treated which happened in 1920. Therefore, unless your gun was shipped way out of serial # order (which is not unheard of), your gun is likely from 1920.

Does yours have the original grips? If so, do they have gold medallions in the grips?

An average condition .32 from that time period is generally worth about $250. If worse than average, less money. If like new twice as much money and more, especially with the original box.

CABEDA · #4 08-22-2015, 03:07 PM

Hi fellows! I'm really so glad because I found this forum! The informations are very important to me. My S&W .32 has about 95 years old??? It's a good surprise for me. I thoght that it was manufacturing between 1940 and 1941. I was thinking to send a letter for Smith Wesson Factory to give me more details about my revolver. But I have one problem: I'm living in Brazil. Can the factory send to me this document here in my country? How much and how can I get pay for this service? Credit Card, US dolars?
I take some pictures from my revolver. What does you think about it?
Thank you about the informations. Nice to meet you.

CABEDA · #5 08-22-2015, 03:19 PM

One more picture.

opoefc · #6 08-22-2015, 03:28 PM

Yes, you can order a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks, S&W Factory Historian, Cost is $50 US. The letter will tell you when, where and to whom the revolver was shipped and the configuration of the gun when shipped. Call Smith & Wesson Customer Service at 1-800-331-0862 to get instructions on how to order the letter and how to pay for it. I see no problem in sending the letter to your address in Brazil. Good Luck, Ed.

glowe · #7 08-22-2015, 10:26 PM

You have a very common model revolver, with a slightly scarce 6" barrel length. It shows wear and there is something not quite right about the sideplate? The top section is not flush with the frame and the color and metal appearance is different than the frame. Lastly, I believe the catch at the front of the ejector rod knob is extended too far. It should set down in the hole in front of the ejector knob. Try to push the knob from side to side and see if the catch moves further to the rear. If so, the rod is slightly bent.

Since there were hundreds of thousands of this model made, value is mostly dictated by condition. I would guess tha value would fall below $250 with the wear and tear exhibited. 32 Long ammo is readily available online and they are easy to shoot, so get out to the range and have some fun.

CABEDA · #8 08-23-2015, 10:08 AM

Thank you Glowe! Indeed this gun was some modified by the years. I would ask if you agree that manufacturing year is likely from 1920 like Hondo44 tells me above? Another question: is it really a S & W third model hand ejector .32 ctg? Or a second model, 1903? I'm not sure that!!!! I want a help for this.

glowe · #9 08-23-2015, 07:15 PM

Jim will never steer you wrong. One thing to look for on most S&W revolvers from this era is a MADE IN USA stamp on the right side of the frame. The absence of one indicates the gun was made before 1922 and yours does not have that marking. Another quick ID trick is to look at the ejector rod knob. I call yours a mushroom style knob that was available until 1927 or 1928 when they were changed to a smaller barrel shaped knob. Those will help ID the vintage of 1920s revolvers to within a few years.

The Third Model serial numbers run from 263,001 to 534,532, so yours is well into that range. The major change to this model is the introduction of a 1914 patent date hammer block and the barrel of Third Models should have a 1914 date. The change was made in 1919 for the Model 1903 and earlier 2nd Models would not have that date on the barrel.

Hondo44 · #10 08-23-2015, 08:18 PM

Cabeda,

Gary provided great additional detail to help pin down your revolver's vintage.

CABEDA · #11 08-23-2015, 09:49 PM

Thanks Jim and Gary for your attention and help. All informations that you give to me about my S&W have too much value. You are the S&W's Masters. One more time, congratulations for yours knowledgement. You guys are the bests.