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04-10-2018, 10:55 AM
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32 Cal? No SN. 4-screw, 4-in barrel
I have acquired a fairly nice nickel plated SW revolver that I believe to be a .32. I have not located a serial number anywhere. Numbers appear to be part numbers. I can barely make out S&W Special on the barrel. Other barrel markings appear to be patent dates (?). I would like to know if it is a 32, about how old it is and of course estimated value. I am no longer a collector, so I might sell it or trade it if it's a collectable. I do have other weapons, I just like this gun. Someone added a shoe to the trigger, a grip extension. I am attaching several pictures to help identify this piece. Thank you for your help.
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04-10-2018, 11:14 AM
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With the barrel underlug this appears to be an "N" frame (large) revolver. There should be a serial number on the butt of the frame, on the barrel under flat and on the rear of the cylinder.
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04-10-2018, 11:15 AM
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OK! look on bottom of grip frame/butt. Send a pic.
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Mike 2796
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04-10-2018, 11:19 AM
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I see what appears to be a SN on the face of the cylinder, but can't make it out.
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04-10-2018, 11:29 AM
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Welcome! From the size of the charge holes this is likely a pre-WW II .38/44 Heavy Duty revolver. It has been refinished, which would explain the faint barrel rollmarks (it would have read .38 S & W Special on the right side). The serial number from the locations mentioned above will tell how old it is; if there is no number on the flat bottom of the grip frame it was removed by a previous owner, a big no-no legally.
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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
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04-10-2018, 02:22 PM
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I agree with Alan - it is a refinished prewar .38/44 Heavy Duty.
There are at least two reasons it cannot be a .32. 1) no .32 that I know of had a shrouded extractor rod; and 2) no .32 caliber marking would include the word "Special."
Stocks are non-original.
The missing serial number from the butt is a big problem. Without that number, the value is zilch (actually worse than that).
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Jack
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04-10-2018, 08:24 PM
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The neatest thing about it is the Humpback Hammer, albeit nickel plated now.
I agree with those above otherwise.
Hopefully the serial # is restamped on the left side of the grip frame in lieu of it being missing from the butt.
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Jim
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04-11-2018, 04:35 AM
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Thank you all for input. My 1st thought was also 38 but no. For grins, not to shoot tried a 357. It almost fit. No SN on butt or handle I will remove other grip and check other areas. I check the other marking. May be the refinish destorted the chamber size. Later.
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04-11-2018, 06:51 AM
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The finish can not distort the chamber size.
Please tell us in detail in what way the 38 Special did not fit. But a 357 almost did. They're the same diameter and the 357 is just 1/10" longer.
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Jim
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04-11-2018, 10:17 AM
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I have used a 38 in my 357, not the other way for obvious reason. After cleaning the cylinder, I did find that the 357 does fit except for the length as you indicated. So that solves that question. I don't have a 38, but since I have gotten good feedback I'm confident it is a 38. Thank you.
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04-11-2018, 10:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
The finish can not distort the chamber size.
Please tell us in detail in what way the 38 Special did not fit. But a 357 almost did. They're the same diameter and the 357 is just 1/10" longer.
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Jim, not sure my earlier reply posted. So forgive me if this is a duplicate reply.
I cleaned the cylinder and did find that the 357 fit except for the length. So with the feedback from everyone I'm satisfied it is 38. Thank you.
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04-11-2018, 11:35 AM
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Follow-up S&W confirmed 38 special, SN?
I have re-examined the SW revolver and after some cleaning, I am sure it is a 38 as many of you stated. I also found a stamp on the back of the trigger. It looks like "REGU.." Don't know what that means or if its important to the history of the pistol.
I found matching numbers on the rear of the cylinder and in the 'well' of the ejector on the barrel. The number is "45515". There is another number that is probably a part number on the swing-arm of the cylinder. It is "2358". There was no number on the butt of the gun. The only other number was "39" on the frame under the grips.
Thank you all for our input. I would like your opinion as to whether this would be better to keep as a collectable or would occasional range firing be okay. - Bill
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04-13-2018, 05:45 AM
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I have re-examined the SW revolver and after some cleaning, I am sure it is a 38 as many of you stated. I also found a stamp on the back of the trigger. It looks like "REGU.." Don't know what that means or if its important to the history of the pistol.
I found matching numbers on the rear of the cylinder and in the 'well' of the ejector on the barrel. The number is "45515". There is another number that is probably a part number on the swing-arm of the cylinder. It is "2358". There was no number on the butt of the gun. The only other number was "39" on the frame under the grips.
Thank you all for our input. I would like your opinion as to whether this would be better to keep as a collectable or would occasional range firing be okay. - Bill
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04-13-2018, 06:59 AM
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The trigger was stamped "REG U.S. PAT OFF", indicated a patent had been issued for the part design.
SN 45515 indicates a 1935 production date; sales were slow and it may not have shipped (sold) that year. 2358 is an assembly number, a factory internal code used during manufacture and unrelated to the SN.
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Alan
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04-13-2018, 09:25 AM
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Alan, thank you!
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04-13-2018, 09:50 AM
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As previously said, without a legible SN stamped somewhere on the grip frame (usually on the butt) it is illegal. Be careful not to get caught with it in your possession. BTW, it is equally illegal to sell it. In fact, no dealer would touch it. Also it's not a good idea to broadcast that you even own it. The SN (inside the barrel shroud) is in the 1935 production range, but it could easily have shipped a year or two later.
Last edited by DWalt; 04-13-2018 at 09:55 AM.
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04-13-2018, 09:52 AM
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Obviously the gun has been heavily buffed and replated and could be nothing more than a shooter.
However, what several earlier commentators have said and maybe haven't emphasized enough, is the lack of a serial number on the bottom of the butt or anywhere else on the actual frame of the gun.
This lack makes the gun contraband and subjects it to confiscation and the "owner" subject to arrest and prosecution. The serials on the other various parts don't count, only the one on the frame is what matters, and it has been removed. I wouldn't have this gun in my possession under any circumstance.
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Dean
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04-13-2018, 03:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog
The trigger was stamped "REG U.S. PAT OFF", indicated a patent had been issued for the part design.
SN 45515 indicates a 1935 production date; sales were slow and it may not have shipped (sold) that year. 2358 is an assembly number, a factory internal code used during manufacture and unrelated to the SN.
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The photo shows the Pat info on the hammer which is the same story as th Pat info on the trigger.
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Jim
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