My wife (NRA, TWAW certified) trains new lady shooters at our club. One lady brought in a little S&W .32 Long. She asked if I could help find out how old it was and exactly what it is called. I called it a good looking, nice shooting little revolver, but I have very little experience with revolvers. Any help is much appreciated:

Serial No. B 294341 (The "B" is only stamped on the under side of the barrel, not with the serial numbers on butt nor cylinder).

I do not recall if it had a screw on the front of the trigger guard, but it does have a strain screw on front grip strap.

Barrel length in photo looks like 3-1/4"? Finish could be nickel or chrome?

Thanks

Attached Images

	SW32 a.jpg (188.4 KB, 213 views)
	SW32 b.jpg (111.6 KB, 164 views)
	SW32 d.jpg (146.5 KB, 160 views)
	SW32 e.jpg (260.2 KB, 163 views)

It is a .32 Hand Ejector, Third Model. It probably shipped in 1919-20 or thereabouts. The B indicates it left the factory with a Blued finish, which this one no longer has. The nickel plating was done sometime after it left the factory. No collector value, but it would still shoot OK.

Well that's a little sweetheart.

A ".32 Hand Ejector - 3rd Model" built on the I frame in 1919. The B under the barrel indicates it was originally produced with a blue finish.

So unfortunately it has had an after market nickel plated re-finish, but that only affects it's collectability value.

And you are right, it's a good looking and shooting revolver. They are known for the craftsmanship and superb accuracy, as well as being very comfortable to shoot. They are excellent to train with. Although they were popular and the official arm for the NYC Police Dept. (and others) for many years, as a self defense cartridge, not so much anymore.

But much better than nothing at all! Recently these have been 'rediscovered' by many collectors and are riding a wave of popularity once again.

I assume it's a family heirloom, hope she knows its provenance and family history, and enjoys it immensely.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Excellent information. This gun fits the owner well and she shoots it fairly well for a beginner. She's not a good candidate for anything more powerful and she says she paid $100 for it. Sounds like a decent bargain for what she needs.

Thank you sirs.

Oh my goodness, what a great price. Good for her!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Get that girl reloading for 32 S&W Long and you'll have a shooter for life! What a lucky find for a new lady shooter.

Froggie