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04-17-2017, 12:53 PM
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Help Identifying Old Revolver
My dad gave me a revolver that he got from my grandfather. Here is the information I can find/gather on the firearm:
1. Caliber - S&W 32 Long
2. Barrel Length - 6"
3. Serial Number - B278811
4. Patent Information - 10/8/01, 12/17/01, 2/8/06, 9/14/08, 12/28/14 (from barrrel)
I am not 100% sure on the serial number. It is the only number I could find on the pistol that looked like a serial number. It was located on the under side of the barrel and could be seen with the cylinder swung out. There were no numbers that I could find on the handle frame. The grips don't appear to be original, but, again, I don't know for sure. Here are a couple of pictures of the gun. Thank you for any information...
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04-17-2017, 01:21 PM
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Hi
The serial number is 278811. The B in front of it on the barrel flat is simply an indication that the gun left the factory with a blue finish. This was put with the serial number only in that location. It isn't a prefix, since those were first used during WWII and thereafter on postwar guns.
The reason you don't see the serial number on the grip frame is that the stocks are covering it up. If you were to take them off, you would find the serial number there (unless it has been illegally removed). The serial number should also appear on the rear face of the cylinder, and a couple other places that are very difficult to see.
With that serial number, your .32 was probably made in 1917 although it might not have shipped until 1918. One cannot tell without getting a letter from the Historical Foundation.
The stocks are probably custom made. It seems possible they are heavily modified from S&W extension stocks of the period, since they do resemble the shape of those. But either way, they didn't come from the factory looking like that. They are interesting, however.
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04-17-2017, 01:28 PM
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Thanks for the reply... I did take the grips off and looked at the bottom of the grip frame, but didn't see any serial number anywhere on the grip frame. I also didn't notice any indication that the number was removed. The lighting wasn't very good and I may have missed something, so I will check again later when I get home. I will also check the cylinder if there is anything on it. Again, thanks for the information.
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04-17-2017, 02:46 PM
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Welcome to the Forum.
Remove the grips again and look at the front strap, above the strain screw. If the serial number is present, you have a .32 Regulation Police. The RP revolvers, in .32 and in ,38 S&W, had grips that covered the butt and the SN was stamped on the front strap.
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04-17-2017, 02:58 PM
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With no SN on the butt (bottom), it's likely a .32 Regulation Police which shipped around mid-1919. But the SN should be on the front grip strap.
Last edited by DWalt; 04-17-2017 at 02:59 PM.
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04-17-2017, 03:03 PM
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Welcome to the forum.
Jack, Muley Gil, and DWalt* have given you the straight poop.
Probably an Regulation Police. Does it have a rebated back strap as shown:
Since it doesn't have the S&W logo on either side of the frame, it was made between WW I and 1920 when the logos were left off. By its serial #, most likely the 2nd half of 1919.
*I see DWalt also answered while I was typing.
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Last edited by Hondo44; 04-17-2017 at 06:34 PM.
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04-17-2017, 04:12 PM
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Hmmm... I don't recall if the back strap looked like that or not, but the grips are extended past the bottom of the grip frame like your picture shows. I can't wait to get home to find out ...
An interesting thing about this revolver is that my mom (her dad, my grandfather) didn't know when he may have got the pistol. He retired from the LAPD in the late 60s (I think) and was sworn in in 1940. I also have his 2" carry 38 special and his LAPD issued 6" Colt 38 special as well as the documents for those guns. I didn't, however, have any information on this gun and was really interested in its history and age. My grandfather was born in 1916 so he may have gotten it as a gift from someone when he was a teenager or something. Again, thanks for all the information...
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04-17-2017, 06:35 PM
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Look for this:
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Jim
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04-18-2017, 11:23 AM
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Here is a picture of the grip frame. It doesn't have the spur that the other version has. I was also able to see and verify the serial from the cylinder face. I also checked the bottom of the grip frame for a serial number, but it does appear like it was filed off or something. It does seem weird that it would be removed from the grip frame but kept on the barrel and cylinder, but whatever. Anyway thanks for all the information...
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04-18-2017, 11:41 AM
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If it does not have the SN on the frame somewhere, and it appears that the SN has been removed from the butt, then you have a contraband firearm. Unless it is a pre-1899 gun, the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA-68) considers that any firearm which originally had a serial number on the frame is illegal if that original SN has been removed, changed, or defaced so that it cannot be determined. No dealer who knows anything about GCA-68 will touch it. If you wish to keep it, you should be very careful to not talk about it. There is no simple way to make it legal. Unless you happen to be arrested for some criminal act while in possession of it, there is not a whole lot to worry about. But you should never attempt to sell it.
Last edited by DWalt; 04-18-2017 at 11:50 AM.
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04-18-2017, 05:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pelle8
Here is a picture of the grip frame. It doesn't have the spur that the other version has. I was also able to see and verify the serial from the cylinder face. I also checked the bottom of the grip frame for a serial number, but it does appear like it was filed off or something. It does seem weird that it would be removed from the grip frame but kept on the barrel and cylinder, but whatever. Anyway thanks for all the information...
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That confirms that you have a 32 Hand Ejector - 3rd model instead of a 32 Regulation Police.
Those that file off serial #s are not mental giants and don't think to look for the serial # in the other 5 locations on your gun.
SERIAL # LOCATIONS: To confirm all parts are original, one can check for the 6 matching serial # locations for fixed sight pre war Hand Ejectors and all post war Hand Ejectors thru ~1956 and a few as much as 3 years later.
NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, and an attitude that it is there!
1. Gun butt - or fore strap on I frames/single shots with grips that cover the butt
2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud
3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight
4. Extractor star - backside
5. Cylinder - rear face
6. Right stock only - on back; stamped, scratched or penciled depending on vintage and stock material. (except most post war target grips because individual fitting not required.)
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