Howdy

I just brought this little 32 home. SN 5422XX. SCSW says it is a Model 1903 2nd Change, made between 1906 and 1909.

I thought the grips looked a little bit too modern, thought maybe they were not the correct type. The relief cut on the right grip, above the checkering is very wide and deep. I thought maybe these grips were from a later gun.

So halfway through photographing it I realized I should see if the SN is stamped on the grips. Yup, they are the original grips. The SN is stamped, not penciled, on the underside of the right grip.

Anyway, it looks like somebody got a little bit careless on the grip checkering machine with this grip, that relief cut is much wider and deeper than on the other grip.







I think the gun may have been refinished at some point. The SMITH & WESSON marking on the barrel is slightly faint, and overall finish is a slightly matte finish, does not match the high polish of the side plate.

Anyway, this one should make an interesting addition to my growing collection of 32s. Now, if I could just find a Model 16.

Hi Driftwood,

I'm no expert on these like Jim Carter (Hondo44)...But when looking in the SCSW...I believe you forgot to take into consideration Your Revolver has a 6 Digit Serial No.(Not 5)...Making it a 3rd Model .32 Hand-Ejector likely produced in the Mid-Late 30's!!

If my identification is incorrect...I'm sure Jim Hondo44 will be along shortly to set the record straight!!

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Masterpiece

It's also possible the side plate was replaced. It should have the same assembly number (stamped inside) as the number on the yoke and in the yoke cut in the frame.

Are the grips numbered to the gun?

Edit: Just noticed the four line address. Are there any factory rework markings, i.e. star, date code, etc.?

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

Okay, curiosity got the best of me. Had to consult SCSW on the S/N. That's actually an early post-WWII gun. Post-war S/N's were a continuation of the original .32 HE numbers, and when production resume after the war, they were in the 536000 range. That explains the four line address, as well as the more 'modern' looking stocks....

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

Well, yup, I looked too quickly at Serial Numbers. Mine has 6 digits, the Model of 1903 2nd Change were 5 digits.

Also, this one has SMITH & WESSON marked on the left side of the barrel. Apparently the left side of the barrel was usually blank on the earlier guns.

OK, I took off the side plate. Yes, the side plate has the same assembly number as the yoke and the frame under the yoke, so it must be original to the gun. The cosmetic difference is either due to wear or refinish.

And there is the cutest little hammer block in there. Looks like a modern hammer block to me, but I never saw one with a round bottom like that. Perhaps I'm used to looking at K frame hammer blocks.





So, what's the consensus here?

The store had it labelled Smith and Wesson 1903. Not that stores have never been wrong. They may have made the same mistake I did.

SCSW says the 32 Hand Ejector 3rd Model had a 'new hammer block arm'. Does that mean it was the old fashioned type of hammer block pinned to the side plate? SCSW says 32 Hand Ejector Postwar has 'new style rebound hammer block'. I take that to mean a hammer block like this, that is actuated by a pin on the rebound slide.

SN 5422XX seems to make it an early 32 HE Postwar.

As you stated, it is a .32 Hand Ejector from just after WW II; call it a Transitional if you like (large extractor rod knob, long action, late pre-war style stocks). It appears to me the sideplate was the only part not refinished.

Hondo44 will be along shortly with more information as mentioned above. Cool gun.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

That's a great catch.

You and Members above have nailed it.

1. "Post War Transitional I frame .32 Hand Ejector". Six screws. Pre war barrel extractor rod knob and double pinch thumb piece. Same as the pre war ".32 Hand Ejector Third Model" except for post war Sliding bar safety hammer block, no patent dates on barrel (usually), with 4 line post war address and post war satin blue.

2. Stocks are also transitional: pre war round top service stocks with sharp cornered checkering and post war curved nickel over brass medallions. The thick top border on right side stock is not uncommon on pre war stocks.

3. Refinished dull bluing exc for post war satin blue side plate, and clearly not by factory. The rebound slide pin sticking thru left side of frame has been polished flat which is typical.

4. No long or short hammer action on I frames. They did not change like K and N frames.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

536685-712953 – 1946 to 1960

Most likely mid year 1950 for 5422XX.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hi Jim,

Well at least I got close on the Model ID this time...Forgot to take into consideration the Early Post-War Transitionals when I posted the likely production date...I'm learnin'...Ha!!~Ha!!!!

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Masterpiece

That was a tricky one. Very pre war-ish.

The most pre war features usually found on Transitionals, even the 'barrel' extractor knob. Just between you and me, my first thought was also 1930s, but don't tell anyone......

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks for posting masterpiece I love the 32 hand ejectors myself as that is what I was searching for information on when I found these guys and l have been here everyday since .It is almost scary how much some of these guys know but what is truly worrisome is how much I have found out how much our local " experts " don't know especially about the older revolvers .Oh yea they can take one of them ARs apart blindfolded but ask em for a box of 32/20s or better yet 32WCF cartridges and wait and see you will get everything from 32special to 32s&w target wad cutters .i keep a fired 32/20 in my pocket just to mess with one of these " experts " well most of em know me now and avoid me like the plague .Thanks Hondo44 and the rest of you guys for giving up good information .

Jim,

What threw me was Driftwood hadn't yet posted the Photo with the Sideplate removed showing the Post-War Sliding Bar Hammer Block when I took a shot at the identification...Had he done so I'd likely have nailed it!!

Like I said...Still learnin' after all these years...That's why I generally leave these I-Frame .32 Hand-Ejectors up to you...Ha!!~Ha!!

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Masterpiece

Howdy Again

Took it to the range today and put a box of Aguila 32 S&W Long through it.

It performed like a champ. Delightful to shoot this little gun.

Howdy All

Heard from Roy today. My 32 Hand Ejector, Postwar shipped in January of 1950. That makes it just a few months older than me.

Patent dates on top of 4 1/4" barrel or no dates and 4" barrel?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Howdy

4 1/4" with patent dates on top.