Found this at a local auction house on consignment:



Going by the serial number, which is 233045, it appears to be a .32 HE Model of 1903, 5th Change. The finish ain't great, but it's mechanically good and the bore and chambers are fine.

I don't know what the deal is with those grips; they're not only ugly and plastic, but they don't actually fit. So now I get to do some shopping. There's no photo of this model in the Catalog-- would this have had the hard rubber grips, or wood?

That's a nice looking pistol. I hope you can find correct grips for it.





I just picked up this .32 S&W.

Sorry I can't tell you more about it I don't have with me and I can't remember what model it is but I like it.

That's right nice! Someday I'll stumble across an old S&W top break. The only thing I have from that general era is a H&R .38 S&W:



I haven't shot it yet, but I will when I get some dies and components (and black powder).

Numrich had a pair of hard rubber I-frame grips for the .32, so they're on the way.

I really like that one.

I plan on shooting it really soon. I'm actually looking really forward to shooting it. It only set me back $100.

I've just barely started picking up a few pistols.

I have another top break but I'm waiting to get more numbers off it to verify for sure if its rare or has much value.

Very probably be like the hard rubber on this one.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks! That's what I just ordered, so I guess that worked out.

Are you sure is is a .32? It looks more like a .38 Safety 4th or 5th Model. I have both a .32 Double Action and .38 Safety, and the cylinder of the .32 is smaller in diameter and shorter than the .38 Safety. Basically the gun is sized for the cartridge, and looks like it.

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

Yes, you are correct. My bad.

Thank you.

I guess I should do a better job at remembering what my guns are.

I too suffer from the 32 affliction! I'm down to 10 or 12. Mostly H&R and Iver Johnson top breaks and 2 Davis derringers in ACP. Only Smith I have left in 32 is a 1902 M&P in 32-20. The Last actual auto is a Beretta 3032. I've sold several revolvers to help people get into the fun of Wheel Gun Shooting!

Ivan

Andy: I can't tell from the picture if your H&R has "38 S&W Ctge" stamped on the left side if the barrel. If it does, you can use smokeless. If not, then black powder only.

There's no mention of the chambering anywhere on it. It was made between 1887-1889, from what little I could find out about it, so I'm figuring on loading some black powder cartridges for it. It would be cool to have a top break of any sort that did handle smokeless, but it's just not something I ever see in a case.

I have an old S&W break top in 38S&W that belonged to my father in law. When I got it the grips were broken and one of the smaller leaf action springs was broken, trigger return I think but it has been too long ago to be sure. I found a set of repro grips , and finally found some springs that would work, so it is in working condition. It was nickel plated, and that's in not good shape, someone had used a vibrating pencil and engraved a social security number, fortunately not too deep, so I burnished that out. It appears not to have been shot much as the latching mechanism and lock up is extremely tight. Barrel and chambers are not great, but serviceable.

Today I just put in a bid on a 1905 in 32-20 so I would have a companion to my little Marlin 1894 CL in that caliber. If I do not win this one there is another auction with one that actually looks a bit better, but I want a shooter, not perfect condition.

__________________
Jeff