HE 32 long ctg help needed

Sooner61 · #1 10-19-2017, 11:10 PM

I am hoping for help from those much more wise than myself.

Here you go:
32 long ctg
Serial number 10xx (4 digits on bottom of grip)
3.25 inch barrel
Cylinder swings out to left and is 6 rounds
4 screws on side plate
Tension screw on front strap
Fixed sights
9 patent dates on top of barrel (April 1889- Sept 1902)

H Richard · #2 10-20-2017, 12:05 PM

Would appear to be a 32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 2nd Model, and with that low 4 digit # would guess it is from 1903. It would be for the 32 S&W Long cartridge. The finish, (what remains) appears to be original, and the front sight has been filed down for some reason. It would have little or no collector value, but as a plinker (providing it checks over to function properly) might make it worth in the $150 to $200 range.

Welcome to the S&W Forum, I hope that helps.

Wiregrassguy · #3 10-20-2017, 02:08 PM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!

tjpopkin · #4 10-20-2017, 02:25 PM

Carefully inspect the bore and chambers for pitting. These early guns, 1903, were shot with (mostly) black powder loads, so the pitting is common. If severe, the gun is a wall-hanger. If not, the gun can be fired.
The stocks(grips) on your gun are after market, but unique.
If you fire the gun, I would suggest a low pressure load like Fiocchi .32 wadcutters.
here is one that is like new...
Dropbox - 32 HE 2nd, 1903.jpg

glowe · #5 10-20-2017, 03:17 PM

Welcome to the Forum. I would simply name your revolver a 32 Hand Ejector, Model of 1903, No Change. The earliest 1903s were made from 1903 to 1904, with about 20,000 No Change guns made. There were several changes made in this model over the years, resulting in a series of four changes, plus a Third Model that was introduced in 1911.

You have a lot of pitting and if it exists inside the chambers, as Terry noted, could result in stuck cases. I don't quite buy into the black powder theory causing all the corrosion often found on vintage revolvers, but more likely the priming compound used in the early 1900s, plus many years (or decades) of neglect and/or just plain honest use without proper care given to the gun. Fulminate of Mercury was used into the early 1900s and by 1905, primers were switched to Potassium Chloride, another corrosive salt. Also, smokeless powders were readily accepted by ammunition companies in the early 1900s and your revolver would have likely used smokeless powder for almost its entire life.

The stocks you have are a plastic replacement set and the original gun would have most likely had black hard rubber stocks that look like those in the image below.

Sooner61 · #6 10-20-2017, 05:10 PM

Thanks to all of you for your wealth of information. I will follow the advice given and proceed with due caution. Since I'm just a hobbyist I will have it inspected by a proper gunsmith prior to shooting. Thanks again for the timely information and kind welcome to the forum.