What do you think? Is This a Smith & Wesson 32

nuguy · #1 07-23-2017, 08:32 PM

I did not pay much for it, I only picked it up to try to figure out what it is. I Like a puzzle. It is way past being useful other than learning what it is. It appears to have been apart and altered numerous times.
It Looks like a 32 S&W Hand Ejector. 32 S&W long ammo fit the cylinder. It has a S&W trademark on the side. It has no (removable) side plate. The barrel is pinned. The trigger guard is not integral to the frame, it is pinned and drops out of the frame. It has a S/N on the frame 20589 that does not show up at any other common places on the revolver. The S/N fits in the 32 S&W series but these features do not match.
What do you think? What is it?

august1410 · #2 07-23-2017, 08:37 PM

That looks more like SA than S&W.....looks to me to be one of the Spanish copies that very closely resembled a Smith & Wesson.

murphydog · #3 07-23-2017, 08:38 PM

It is a foreign, likely Spanish copy of a .32 Hand Ejector. Frame contours and mechanical details are all non-S & W. Someone here probably recognizes the "SA" company stamp

.

Clarence Boddiker · #4 10-31-2018, 02:52 PM

It might have been made for the French Army in WWI, which would mean it's chambered in 8mm Lebel. .32 S&W Long will fit, but poorly because 8mm Lebel is slightly larger.

8mm can be made from shortened .32-20 cases.

I'm actually considering as similar revolver up here, with a proper sideplate.

zipty6 · #5 10-31-2018, 03:48 PM

It's an SA, not a Smith & Wesson. I saw one like it on one of the auction sites this morning. The listing said the manufacturer name.

Of course, I can't find the listing again...

zipty6 · #6 10-31-2018, 03:52 PM

I found the listing I mentioned. It says "Spanish Arms 38 Long Model 1902 ."

I'll PM the link.

DWalt · #7 10-31-2018, 05:25 PM

The Spanish-made knockoffs used by the French Army were usually called the "Spanish Model 92" as opposed to the French-made Model 92 Lebel revolver in 8x27R (8mm French Ordnance Revolver) which is somewhat different in design. There were a number of Spanish makers, and I don't know who "SA" might be. Reportedly some of them will accept .32-20 cartridges. I have a copy of Zhuk's book which identifies and illustrates a large number of the Spanish-made revolvers, but I'd have to find it as I don't know where I put it.

Absalom · #8 10-31-2018, 08:28 PM

The SA trademark belongs to Suinaga y Aramberri, one of the many gun manufacturers in Eibar.

Clarence Boddiker · #9 11-01-2018, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

Reportedly some of them will accept .32-20 cartridges.

Well, not quite. .32-20 is a bit longer than 8mm, so it might stick out in the chambers. A Lebel revolver or copy of a S&W would need to be slugged to be exact, but the bore might be slightly larger than .32, so you might run into undersizing issues.

Forming 8mm Lebel rounds by trimming .32-20 is pretty easy and commonly done.