A friend acquired a nice 6" .32 Hand Ejector serial number 204000 range.Was looking at value in Fjestads Blue Book of gun Values and for what reason they show the .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 1st change in this serial number range and in 100% at 1800.00 but other .32 Hand Ejectors at 700.00? The S&W Standard Catalog shows the 1st Model at 1800.00 and all the rest at 700.00.Will be getting it for around 350.00 but was wondering if it is possibly a "Sleeper"? Thanks for any helpful info.

After getting to look this S&W over the cylinder does not have a serial number on it (Dang).Has excellent grips and metal has a little holster wear and couple areas of light freckling but nice bluing overall and a nice bore and great lockup.I guess it would be relegated to shooter status.

One of the last places I would look for accurate values for vintage guns is Fjestad's Blue Book. There is a much better source for S&W and that is Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition. This book was last updated with the help of dozens of members here and well worth the money. Do people complain about some of the values in that book, sure but it is a piece of work offered by two people who love S&W more than the money it brings them. Cannot say that about many other gun value books where they claim keep up to date about how much 10,000 guns are worth.

As far as your gun is concerned, you do not have a 1st Model, but rather a 2nd Model, 5th Change revolver that would be valued more like the 3rd Model than the 1st. The entry for this chamge states that it is the most common, bringing 20% less than the values listed for that of a 2nd Model, which are ANIB - $1250, Excellent - $750, VG - $500, and Good - $350. There is no premium for a 6" barrel listed, so one should not add a premium for the long barrel in the 5th Change.

Now what is the condition of the revolver you are going to buy? If it shows any wear, the value will be no where near $1000. Excellent is defined as 90% original finish, while Very Good has to have 70% original finish. Without detailed images posted here, you have to determine the condition and carefully apply the condition as detailed in the SCSW4.

While I was composing the original email, you added that the gun does not have matching serial numbers, so that fact alone relegates it to Good at best, so it is priced about right to 20% too high.

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

I haven't seen the gun but doesn't sound like I'd pass on it if I liked it and its condition.


To verify other serial #s match, you can check all the locations:

SERIAL # LOCATIONS: To confirm all parts are original, one can check for the 6 or 7 (Triple Lock models only) matching serial # locations for fixed sight pre war Hand Ejectors and post war Hand Ejectors thru ~1956 and a few as much as 3 years later.

NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, and an attitude that it is there!

1. Grip frame butt (prefixed by a letter(s) following WWII) - or fore strap on I frame Regulation Police models and single shots with grips that cover the butt
2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud, (Triple locks have tiny #s stamped in front end of the shroud; sideways/verical if over 3 numerical digits, otherwise horizontal).
3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight (except the .32 Model 1896 and no doubt a few others)
4. Extractor star - backside
5. Cylinder - rear face
6. Right stock only - on back, scratched or penciled depending on vintage and stock material, stamped after 1929, (except most post war target grips because individual fitting not required.)

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819