Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961
o

Notices

S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-06-2018, 01:04 PM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
US Veteran
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Far Southwest Virginia
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 512
Liked 3,783 Times in 474 Posts
Default Check out this 3" .32 caliber (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....

About a year or so ago I had a chance to get a .32 caliber "I" frame revolver at a pawn shop, I passed on it as it was pretty worn. Not too long ago another found it's way into the same pawn shop, since it was priced reasonably ($300) I put it on layaway. Picked it up today.....





From what I can tell, and I may be wrong, it is a Post WW2 "I" frame revolver, no model markings, flat latch, serial number 635XXX. Diamond grips number to the revolver. 3" barrel, no screw in the trigger guard. Caliber .32 S&W Long. Some wear at the muzzle and some light freckling, but it locks up good and appears to have been shot very little. Like all pawn shop purchases, it was filthy dirty (no one pawns a clean gun), but it cleaned up nicely.

Anyone have an idea when it was made? If it is an "I" frame revolver, will if fit in a J frame holster?

The big reason I bought it is to experiment with .32 S&W Long hand loading. I have purchased four boxes of factory ammo to see how the revolver shoots, if it proves worthy I'll get some reloading dies and a bullet mold to make some cheap cast lead rounds.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-06-2018, 01:17 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
US Veteran
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The SW Va Blue Ridge
Posts: 17,474
Likes: 88,978
Liked 24,786 Times in 8,483 Posts
Default

That's a .32 Regulation Police aka a pre Model 31. Probably around 1950. Is it a 3" or a 3 1/4" barrel?
__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Last edited by Muley Gil; 07-06-2018 at 01:18 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 07-06-2018, 01:26 PM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
US Veteran
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Far Southwest Virginia
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 512
Liked 3,783 Times in 474 Posts
Default

Measured from the forcing cone to the muzzle is 3"....
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 07-06-2018, 01:38 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
SWCA Member

Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,208
Likes: 11,815
Liked 20,511 Times in 8,548 Posts
Default

You got a winner and a great deal!

You have a ".32 Regulation Police Model of 1953 New I frame" and an early one with a 4 screw side plate.

Based on other serial #s near yours with verified shipping dates, I'd put it's shipping date at May, June, or July 1956.

Yes a J frame holster will work perfectly.
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #5  
Old 07-06-2018, 02:03 PM
Erich's Avatar
Erich Erich is offline
Member
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: High Desert of NM, USA
Posts: 6,236
Likes: 9,331
Liked 8,821 Times in 2,555 Posts
Default

It's prettier than my improved I-frame 3.25" - man, I like shooting this little thing!



__________________
Now go make God proud...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-06-2018, 05:05 PM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default

32's just grow on you. Easy to shoot, very accurate, and capable if shot placement is good. You will find out you can't stop with just one.



__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-06-2018, 05:20 PM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
Member
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central VA
Posts: 8,598
Likes: 1,551
Liked 9,323 Times in 4,182 Posts
Default

I have a slightly earlier old type I-frame snub with round butt, and a couple of pre-War square butt examples with longer (6") barrels. All are a pleasure to shoot. The 32 is the perfect round for reloaders... brass lasts just about forever and you use so little powder and lead, it goes a long way too. The only "fixed cost" is primers.

Regards,
Froggie
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #8  
Old 07-06-2018, 05:48 PM
mrchuck's Avatar
mrchuck mrchuck is offline
Member
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: BISHOP, California
Posts: 953
Likes: 4,433
Liked 1,291 Times in 533 Posts
Default

Mine is a 4"bbl made in 1925. I posted about it a year ago.
This is one I will keep.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 07-10-2018, 12:50 AM
mnrivrat mnrivrat is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 225
Likes: 2
Liked 93 Times in 56 Posts
Default

I'm sure you will enjoy your gun. I have 7 or 8 S&W .32L guns. Mostly 1903's, but a great shooting 1896 is in the bunch. A joy to shoot .
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 07-10-2018, 08:41 AM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
Member
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central VA
Posts: 8,598
Likes: 1,551
Liked 9,323 Times in 4,182 Posts
Default

As you are hearing from a variety of quarters, the small frame (I- or J-frame) 32s are fun to shoot and have good intrinsic value. Yours is late enough to have all modern steels while early enough to have old fashioned workmanship. Even if you do decide to reload for it and shoot it a lot, you probably won't be able to wear it out regardless of how much you shoot it. I really would encourage you to consider reloading as you can both get the best performance out of your 32 and shoot it more in a more economical way. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do mine.

Regards,
Froggie
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #11  
Old 07-10-2018, 08:49 AM
DocB's Avatar
DocB DocB is offline
Member
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Middle Georgia
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 4,550
Liked 5,572 Times in 1,319 Posts
Default

Oh good, picture time again, so I can post a picture of the one I got last Thursday. . .again. It's a transitional I frame with the only change being the coil spring instead of the leaf spring (made in 1952). I would have been all over that gun for what you paid for it! No such thing as having too many Smith 32's. I am always on the lookout for more.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1952 Post-War 32.jpg (199.8 KB, 51 views)
__________________
Dr. B
Reply With Quote
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
  #12  
Old 07-10-2018, 11:52 AM
Erich's Avatar
Erich Erich is offline
Member
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: High Desert of NM, USA
Posts: 6,236
Likes: 9,331
Liked 8,821 Times in 2,555 Posts
Default

Hoooooo boy, DocB: that's a beauty!
__________________
Now go make God proud...
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #13  
Old 07-10-2018, 01:20 PM
two-bit cowboy's Avatar
two-bit cowboy two-bit cowboy is online now
US Veteran
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: trail's end in ol' Wyo
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 17,362
Liked 18,219 Times in 5,014 Posts
Default

Congrats canoeguy! That's a dandy.

The closest reference I have is my 2", 4-screw 637539, which shipped June 1, 1956.
__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 07-12-2018, 08:50 AM
Jebus35745's Avatar
Jebus35745 Jebus35745 is offline
Member
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Independence, OH, USA
Posts: 6,911
Likes: 28,791
Liked 7,158 Times in 2,579 Posts
Default

Nice handy field gun, enjoy it. Been using 2 grains of 231 behind a couple different bullet weights for a soft shooting round. Larry
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-12-2018, 01:24 PM
mrchuck's Avatar
mrchuck mrchuck is offline
Member
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: BISHOP, California
Posts: 953
Likes: 4,433
Liked 1,291 Times in 533 Posts
Default

Academy Sports has a box of 50 32 Longs for 8 dollars a box.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #16  
Old 07-12-2018, 04:38 PM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
US Veteran
Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver.... Check out this 3" .32 caliber  (.32 S & W Long) I frame revolver....  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Far Southwest Virginia
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 512
Liked 3,783 Times in 474 Posts
Default

I shot the .32 Long revolver the other day with some Remington "Wheelgun Performance" ammo and it seems to shoot good. Sights are well regulated, they do seem a little small compared to modern revolvers. I was able to keep all hits on a 3 1/2" target at 10 yards, shooting standing, two hand hold. Trigger is nice and smooth, double action and single action. I like it!

Of course the answer to getting good at shooting this revolver is to shoot it a lot, and I will have to hand load to be able to do that. A set of dies, a bullet mold and everything else I will need to add .32 S&W Long to my reloading set up will cost less than $100, about the cost of four boxes of factory ammo.

And, I will need a holster....
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
***SOLD*** Hammerli 280 .22 Long Rifle and .32 S&W Long Complete Two-Caliber Set Bullseye 2620 GUNS - For Sale or Trade 0 01-23-2018 05:43 PM
S&W 22 caliber long rifle revolver netman S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 3 10-09-2014 02:33 AM
Price check on .32 S&W Long Revolver Lutesy S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 5 04-01-2013 09:27 PM
S&W 32 Long "I" Frame Revolver Restoration arg271 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 21 11-14-2010 11:49 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:30 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)