Need help identifying

Cbailey · #1 03-22-2017, 08:14 PM

Good afternoon everyone. I got this pistol recently and need help identifying please. I know it's a .32 Long hand ejector. it has a 4 inch barrel with fixed sights. It does have a strain screw. Serial number 109**. Also has a star beside serial number. I think that means it has been sent back to the factory at some point? Any help is greatly appreciated.

DWalt · #2 03-22-2017, 08:21 PM

It's a .32 Hand Ejector, Model of 1903, likely made in 1903. Assuming that the SN you provided came from the butt.

Cbailey · #3 03-22-2017, 08:49 PM

Thank you. That's what i thought, but wasn't for sure. Serial number is on the butt. Could you enlighten me on the grips? It looks like pearl or something.

DWalt · #4 03-22-2017, 08:56 PM

They are Mother-of-Pearl (MOP), and most likely not original to the gun. Sometimes distributors would add MOP grips, especially to nickeled pieces to pimp them up a bit. S&W would provide MOP grips, but those typically have S&W medallions. The MOP grips are somewhat delicate, chip easily, and should be replaced with wood or hard rubber grips for shooting if you expect to use it much.

Hondo44 · #5 03-22-2017, 10:31 PM

Welcome to this forum!

That's an oldie but a goodie! Only the 2nd .32 Model made.

It should have a date on the left side grip frame under the grip indicating when it went back to the factory.

Standard barrel lengths were 3 1/4", 4 1/4", and 6".

There are also target models which are rare.

Enjoy and don't be afraid to shoot it with any standard velocity off the shelf ammo. Ammo won't be found everywhere but it's still produced. You'll love it's accuracy.

DWalt · #6 03-22-2017, 11:05 PM

Yours is sometimes called the .32 Second Model, as the first model was the .32 Model of 1896. Which was, BTW, S&W's first hand ejector (cylinder swing-out) revolver. Colt beat S&W on that design.

You can fire both .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long cartridges, the only differences being that the .32 S&W is shorter and less powerful than the .32 Long. Sort of like the difference between using a .22 Short vs. a .22 Long Rifle. The local Academy store had 6 boxes of Aguila .32 Long on their shelves as of Monday. They also frequently have a few boxes of .32 S&W, had some on sale several weeks ago for $9.95/box. Problem was they were sold out of it before I got there.