Welcome to the forum.
You found a real beauty in prime condition. I agree with DWalt's estimate of shipping date.
You have a .32 Hand ejector built on the Improved I frame, 1st version with 4" or 4 1/4" barrel, (could be either). The 2nd version had a barrel rib and ramp front sight.
The stocks are the 'Mini' Magnas introduced in early 1950, and replaced the round top "Service" stocks of the pre war and very early post war.
It became the Model 30 in 1957. Those familiar with the terminology know that it's not yet a Pre Mod 30.
It's too early to be a Pre Model in the explicit "Pre-Model" collector term meaning used in the context of S&W collecting and should not be confused as the generic meaning of pre model which is a common misuse of the term.
“A Pre-Model is any ‘named’ model that immediately precedes when the company began the model ‘number’ stamping system, and incorporates all of the same design changes of their model numbered counterparts.”
The Model of 1953 32 HE is the Pre Model 30.
History
The .32 Hand Ejector and its cartridge, the 32 S&W Long are both historical. The .32 HE is the first side swing out cylinder produced by S&W, built on the first I size frame, and introduced as the 1896 Model (1st Model) along with its new cartridge.
It went thru several evolutionary changes until it became the 32 HE 3rd model in 1917 when a sq butt version was introduced as the 32 Regulation Police beginning at ~ #258000 in the same serial range as the 32 HE. The more common barrel length is the 4 1/4".
Target models were available with 6" barrels as well as very rare 4 1/4" barrels, and with 2 screw extended target stocks.
The 3rd Model had a hammer safety block added around 1919 used thru WW II.
By 1920 the cyls received a heat treatment for additional strength as did all S&W revolvers.
Both were reintroduced after WW II in identical form except for the change to the much more fool proof post war sliding bar safety. They went thru more evolution in the 1950s, and in 1957 became the Model 30 w/round butt and the Model 31 w/square butt, and finally in 1961 were upgraded to the slightly longer J size frame with added -1 to the model #s.
Eventually both versions were combined as just the Model 31-1 in 1976, until discontinued in 1991. Various iterations were later introduced using the 32 H&R Mag and/or the 327 Fed Mag, both of which still use the 32 Long as well.
Any currently available 32 Long ammo in standard loadings is perfectly safe to shoot in your 32.
You will also find much more detail of yours here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/blog.php?b=103
S&W 5 screw 32 CTG Hand Ejector
Linear Mode
