New to me - .32 HE Model of 1903 5th Change

[kennicka]

Recently picked up this .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th change. It has a bit of wear as shown in the pictures but I have a hard time passing up these little guys! Serial number is 211550. Was wondering if anyone can narrow down the mfg date better than the 1910-1917 dates for 5th changes. Also, it came with the grips pictured. They look like Ivory to me but thought I would get your ideas/thoughts. Regardless, I am happy with this little I-Frame. Probably not a steal, but my cost was $350 out the door.

[kennicka]

A couple more photos of the grips.

[Tom K]

Looks to me like you bought some ivory grips and got a free gun.

[kscharlie]

Nice .32 HE. The stocks are definitely ivory. I understand about having a hard time passing one up. I, too, really like the .32 I-frame. IMO, you certainly did not pay too much. Over the past 6 to 9 months, as all other gun prices have gone up, I have noticed substantial increases in the .32 HE prices. These small revolvers have long been under appreciated and bargain priced. I have 5 of them to date, ranging from 1906 to 1957, purchased at an average price of $316.

[Wiregrassguy]

Hey, Tony. Maybe these dates will help...with the usual caveat.



.32 H.E. serial 194574 was shipped in June 1915. .32 H. E. serial 228074 was shipped in March 1916.

[opoefc]

.32HE Mod. 1903, ser. # 211550, was made Jan. 15, 1914, as part of a production run of 200 blued revolvers with black hard rubber stocks. Ed .

[huskerbob]

Originally Posted by kennicka

Recently picked up this .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th change. It has a bit of wear as shown in the pictures but I have a hard time passing up these little guys! Serial number is 211550. Was wondering if anyone can narrow down the mfg date better than the 1910-1917 dates for 5th changes. Also, it came with the grips pictured. They look like Ivory to me but thought I would get your ideas/thoughts. Regardless, I am happy with this little I-Frame. Probably not a steal, but my cost was $350 out the door.

hard to tell from the photos if the grips are real ivory. box them up and send them to me for my personal, up-close inspection. I'll send them back to you once my evaluation is complete........................................................i promise!!!!

huskerbob
GO BIG RED!!!!!

[tripledipper]

Missed out bidding for a 1950's improved I frame pre 30 model with a serial #in the 550xxx that just went for $210. With the buyers premium and shipping, handling and FFL's it probably would have come close to $300 when all is said and done but that was a steal. Waiting for the outcome of a 1903 5th with a serial #202xxx from 1913/14 just like yours, grips and all. Should have bid on both but don't need two of them and sometimes fate decides the correct choice or maybe neither one.

[Buford57]

Those are fun little guns. Mine cost $50, but that was 40 some years ago. ��