I received this pistol from my mother. Her brother is a gunsmith and gave it to her for protection at the house. It came with a box (not original) and a receipt from a pawn shop where he bought it for $100. I have that around the house somewhere, but I'll have to dig it up.

Anyway, I wanted to find out what model this is, what it's worth, and what I need to do with it. The bluing is wearing off pretty good. It also has some small areas with pitting on it. It is awesome to shoot and I carry it with me when I'm small game hunting. Also, this seems like a great little carry pistol. Did they make these in shorter barrel configurations? I'd love to get one if they do.

Thanks,

[/URL]

Yours is properly called a .32 Hand Ejector, Model of 1903, Fourth Change. These were produced in 1910, the serial number range being 96126 to 102500. Barrel lengths available were 3-1/4", 4-1/4", and 6", in both blued and nickel finishes.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! You have a 32 hand ejector Model 1903 4th change from 1910. It is pretty rough so only has nominal value, but it has a lot of nostalgic value. Yes much later they made a two inch barrel version.

Guy

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Given the condition, I was wondering about the value. I'm guessing having a good rebluing job done to it wouldn't affect the value of this gun in anyway?

Could you provide some info on the later versions with the shorter barrel? I'd like to start looking for one if possible.

Thanks,

That's correct. It will cost you about what the gun is worth to have it refinished. And it won't increase the value. I would just clean it up and oil it real good. If you want to look for a two-inch snub, look for a Model 30.

Guy

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Getting a good re-blue is somewhat more expensive than most expect. And it will not enhance its value, only its appearance. Best left alone.

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

Neat little 32 HE you've got there.

S&W began shipping 2" versions of the postwar 32 HE in 1949. The first photo below is one of those (probably from '49 or '50). Similar to yours it was based on the I-frame.

Later the company released the Model of 1953 with some enhancements (e.g., the latch changed to a flat latch and a ramp front sight replaced the half-round one -- there were other internal changes, too). I don't have one of these to show you.

Next, after 1957, came model numbers. The 32 HE became the Model 30, still based on the I-frame (second photo). The next iteration around 1961 was based on the J-frame and it was identified as the Model 30-1.

Square butt versions of the guns followed a similar progression and were called the Regulation Police (instead of Hand Ejector). The third photo is a Model 31 (I-frame) from about 1958 (the snubbie) along with a postwar 1952 32 HE with a 3¼" barrel).

couldn't resist adding a 4¼" (similar to yours) postwar 32 HE from 1946.

Attached Images

	postwar 32 HE.jpg (57.9 KB, 21 views)
	Mod 30.jpg (109.9 KB, 20 views)
	Different I's.jpg (109.5 KB, 22 views)
	'46 32 HE.jpg (72.9 KB, 19 views)

__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Welcome to the forum.

The .32 Hand Ejector was introduced in 1896 and the 3 1/4" barrel is one of the original lengths. Updated versions are still made. Modern versions were chambered to also shoot .32 H&R Magnum as well as 32 long. Back a few years a version also fired the .327 Federal Magnum.

The greatest variety of configurations were made in the 1950's including a target model as shown below.


.32 POST WAR HAND EJECTOR/REGULATION POLICE MODELS

One early pre war .32 Model and examples of each of the post war evolutionary models with feature changes briefly described for quick reference:

LEFT SIDE:
.32 HE pre-war I frame Model 1903 (2nd Model)-5th Change, 3 ¼” produced Oct. 16, 1913, #205628, top;
.32 Regulation Police Transitional Post war I Frame, rebated sq butt, with leaf spring, Rd sight, 3 ¼”, 6 screw, ‘double pinch’ thumb piece, c. 1949, next;

.32 HE Pure post war 1ST VARIATION-Improved I Frame w/coil spring, rd butt, rd sight, 2”, 5 screw, ‘single pinch’ thumb piece, c. late 1951, steel stock medallions, bottom. This version of the I frame has the same features as the early round sight Baby J/Chiefs.

RIGHT SIDE:
.32 HE 2ND VARIATION-Improved I w/ramp sight & barrel rib, rd butt, (became the Model 30 which ended with the 30-1 in 1976), 3”, 5 screw, 2nd style flat latch shipped late 1952, top;

.32 R.P. Model of 1953 New I frame sq butt, (the true Pre Model 31), 3”, 4 screw, 2nd style flat latch, c. 1954, next;

.32 R.P. Target Transitional I frame, rebated sq butt, 4”, 6 screw, 4th (final type) thumb piece, one of the 196 anachronisms from 1957 only, next;

.32 R.P. J frame sq butt, Model 31-1 (which ended with the Mod 31-3 in 1991), 3”, 3 screw, 1980, bottom.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819