Hello all. Picked this revolver up at pawn shop. Shot it only once just because and it is sweet. But Im not sure what model it is or year made. I know its a .32 Long. Looks new seems original blueing. Is it worth getting a letter for it?
Would like to hear from you guys. Any info on it would be appreciated. Thanks
By the way the grips are intact and the serial numbers all match as well as those on the gun.

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Without a SN, about all I can tell you is that it is a Model of 1903, pre-1923. A very, very nice one. A letter is $75. Only you can decide if it is worthwhile or not. These are common guns, and likelihood of finding anything interesting about it in the letter other than the exact shipping date and where first shipped (usually to a retail dealer or distributor) is pretty low.

I don't know about lettering, that's a personal decision usually based more on owner curiosity for the more common models, but I will say I had one that dated to the early 20s that was a delight to shoot and which I've always regretted trading away.

If you can find (or load) some good WC rounds they'll usually punch the center ring all day. And from what I can see, that one is a beauty; i passed up one here in much worse cosmetic shape recently they were firm at 300 for.

Enjoy!

Welcome to the forum.

That one is a beauty. As DWalt posted, we know it's a pre 1923 production because it doesn't have the Made In USA stamp on the front right side frame.

If it's refinished it was a good job. I say 'if' because one tell tale sign is the extractor rod knob is blued, but factory protocol was for it to be color case hardened like the hammer and trigger.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Whatever, it doesn't seem to have any of the telltales of being refinished. Everything looks flat, square, and sharp. Often it can be difficult to tell for sure without the gun being in-hand. Lighting can play tricks.

Great gun! Congrats. I agree - I don't usually see S&W's that old in a condition that good...quite a find. I personally would go for the letter. If you're into the gun cheap, a letter will be a major enhancement/enticement to any prospective buyer in the future.

Look through the forum here, and you'll see a whole lot of people wasting a whole lot more than $75 on extraneous gun stuff that's a whole lot less interesting or meaningful than documentation for a nice vintage firearm. Just my opinion.

Thanks you all for your comments they are greatly appreciated and thanks for the warm welcome as well. Dwalt the SN is 338096. Any ideas what it may be worth. I only paid 390.00 for it out the door. I agree with the comments about possible not being refinished. It is a good one if it was. In your hands it looks like it just left the box. only a minor blemish at the end of the barrel where it seems to have been resting for a long time. And that came off with a little 0000 pad.

338096 would date it from the early 1920s, but I can't get much closer than that, as I have no really close SNs listed. I'd guess 1921-22. You did OK on what you paid for one in that condition.

Thanks Im almost afraid to shoot it some more.

Be careful with it and no one will ever know. Just don't stick it in a cheap holster and hike 20 miles in the summer time.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Primo condition. You did real good!

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Fred
S&WCA 3238

Wow. It's absolutely gorgeous. I love the 32's.

DW

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"NUTS"

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Very nice .32! Is there a star on the butt next to the SN by any chance?

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

No star at all.

I would not expect it to have a star indicating a factory finish since it's not done in the factory pre war protocol (un-blued knob).

However, if there's a rework date on the left side of the grip frame under the grip, it could have been factory re-finished after the 1960s, have no star, and have a blue knob if done before Smith quit doing factory finishes on guns older than 1957 (pre model numbered).

Is there a date on the grip frame?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Being a .32 wouldn't it be a Model of 1902? In the photos it looks as though the hammer stud, rebound stud, and barrel pin are all domed as they should be and not polished flat. On the ejector knob it should be blue with just the chamfer on the very end being left in the white.

series guy,

The 32 only had a Model of 1903 - Pre Changes (2nd Model) thru 5th Change. Then the 3rd model began in 1917 which is what the OP's 32 is.

However, you are correct now that we learned the serial # of the OP's gun establishing it's vintage in the early 1920s, (after my #4 post). I believe it did originally have a blue knob because the separate threaded on knobs became integral with the ext. rod ~ 1917, and were no longer case hardened, but blue with white edge.

Therefore, together with the domed pins, I now believe the finish is original.

NOTE 1: most times, non-factory re-finishes do have flattened pins, but not all. Quality re-finishes are known with domed pins.

NOTE 2: Triple Lock extractor knobs are full blued, no white edge. The front edge is also blued because it is not fitted. The third locking bolt is fitted to the cam plate and is one piece with the front locking bolt, and therefore moves the front locking bolt forward at the same time. The front edge of the ext. knob does not contact the front locking bolt.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The round butt K frame, both the .32-20 aka .32 Winchester aka .32 Winchester and the .38 special, with the ejector rod lug, was the Model 1902.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I think I'm catching on.

No date on anywhere that I can see.

Awesome, that clinches it. You got a good deal on an all original gun and in great condition!

Don't be afraid to shoot and enjoy it. With normal handling and cleaning you won't have to worry about devaluating it one bit.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thank you all for your help. Im a happy camper now.