Old SW, new to forum...

[fleaflop]

Hi, GANG Hope all are well ... Of many weapons, this one has given me more trouble finding a date of manufacture. Ser: 34156 , .32cal. If anyone can help with info. I have a feeling you guys can. Please let me know if anyone has questions or comments... all the best to you guys!

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum!

You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 2nd Change. Although the serial # is clearly within the serial # range of the 1st Change, this is one of those not uncommon situations where we must defer to the design features observed to identify the exact version. The presence of the rebound slide and single spring in your gun makes it a 2nd change.

It has been re-nickel plated or nickel-ed over an original blue finish.

FYI: It's simply a revolver or handgun. Like a hammer or a golf club, it can be used as a weapon, but until they are, they're not called weapons.

Enjoy!!

[glowe]

Welcome. That sure looks like chrome to me. Buffed too hard and chrome plated. Something the factory did not do when that gun was sold back in 1905!! I bet it still shoots great!

[BAM-BAM]

FYI.... factory nickel guns don't have plated hammers and triggers...... they were case hardened

[fleaflop]

It appears to be chrome to me as well,... Is there any way to determine the year of manufacture from the info given?... also, as an aside,.... Jims comment on the use of the term "weapon" is interesting. Anybody else have a comment on that?

[delcrossv]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

... Jims comment on the use of the term "weapon" is interesting. Anybody else have a comment on that?

Sort of a connotation/denotation thing.

[DWalt]

34156 would date it at around 1906 give or take a year. There is no doubt that the finish is not original.

[fleaflop]

I know for a fact, the finish has not been altered since at least 1960... what makes you sure it has been altered prior to that date>? Unless of course it was never produced in an all chrome?

[delcrossv]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

I know for a fact, the finish has not been altered since at least 1960... what makes you sure it has been altered prior to that date>? Unless of course it was never produced in an all chrome?

1. It was never produced in chrome.

2. the logo on the right side of the gun is not crisp like it would have looked from the factory.

Here's a factory nickel finish from the early 1900's:
Click on the pic for Hi-Res.

[fleaflop]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Welcome to the forum!

You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 1st Change. It has been re-nickel plated or nickel-ed over an original blue finish.

FYI: It's simply a revolver or handgun. Like a hammer or a golf club, it can be used as a weapon, but until they are, they're not called weapons.

Enjoy!!

As nouns the difference between gun and weapon is that gun is a very portable, short firearm, for hand use, which fires bullets or projectiles, such as a handgun, revolver, pistol or derringer while weapon is an instrument of attack or defense in combat or hunting, eg most guns, missiles, or swords.

[sceva]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

I know for a fact, the finish has not been altered since at least 1960... what makes you sure it has been altered prior to that date>? Unless of course it was never produced in an all chrome?

Not produced in Chrome

Hammer and Trigger should not be plated. They left the factory color case hardened.

The above , the polished markings and the pronounced seam for the side plate all say it has been re-finished some time in it's past. Probably before 1960 since you know the history from 1960 on..

[glowe]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

. . . Is there any way to determine the year of manufacture from the info given?...

I gave the date estimate it sold out of the factory. The company log books were done by ship date. If you get a factory letter, it will give you the ship date which is only an approximation from any other source, including our dates. If inventory was high, some guns would set around for some time before being sold and the company did not sell by serial number, but rather grabbed what was handy and sent it along.

In the day, the 32 Long was used by law enforcement as well as often carried as a concealed gun by good guys and bad guys. It is a really best defined as a revolver, not a weapon. Webster sums up the definition of weapon nicely.

a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

I know for a fact, the finish has not been altered since at least 1960... what makes you sure it has been altered prior to that date>? Unless of course it was never produced in an all chrome?

It's already been discussed. One glance shows the reasons to pronounce it as a refinish, and not a good one. Probably done by some local plating shop of that time, no way it was done by S&W.

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, fleaflop! These guns are rarely considered "collector guns." And, they are not hunted down by folks like a registered magnum. However much it has been plated or otherwise modified doesn't diminish the fun you can have shooting that little rascal. They are simply a hoot to shoot particularly if you replace the grips with some J frame combat or target grips that enclose the grip frame! Enjoy a 100+ year old "weapon" that will kill a target in a heartbeat!

[glowe]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

I know for a fact, the finish has not been altered since at least 1960... what makes you sure it has been altered prior to that date>? Unless of course it was never produced in an all chrome?

They never produced that model in chrome. There are several signs that a S&W has been refinished at some point in its life. First, all had case colored triggers and hammers, which yours no longer has. Second, look at the sideplate seam and if it is sunken around the seam, it has been improperly buffed. New from the factory would show nothing more than a fine line, everything is flat and almost invisible since the factory buffed and prepared metal with the sideplate in place leaving the surface mirror glass flat with no ripples or waves . Edges all over factory finished revolvers were sharp and no softening was seen. The factory finish was excellent.

Lastly, there is some pitting on the gun under the plating. Look behind the serial number on the barrel flat to see examples of plated pits ad there may be other areas as well. Look at the front face of the cylinder, recoil shield, frame opening surrounding the cylinder. Many of these early guns shot black powder and early primers were corrosive as well.

[merl67]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

It appears to be chrome to me as well,... Is there any way to determine the year of manufacture from the info given?... also, as an aside,.... Jims comment on the use of the term "weapon" is interesting. Anybody else have a comment on that?

Jim is just trying to do what I have tried doing for years, and that is proper terminology anything can be a weapon. In todays anti firearm climate anything we can do to educate those around us that firearms are just tools, and only becomes a weapon if the user decides to use it as such . I know it may seem ridiculous it's one small word right. Think about the words Assualt Rife well everyone on here understands those words could mean any rifle used to assault someone. My lowly single shot 22 could be an assault rifle but that's not how the non firearms owning public looks at it. Sorry for the long reply could say more but probably better suited to another subforum.
Edit... totally forgot my manners welcome to the forum !

[Waveski]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

I know for a fact, the finish has not been altered since at least 1960... what makes you sure it has been altered prior to that date>? ...

Some guns scream REFINISHED! Yours is one of them , for reasons given.

You will probably learn these things as you go like the rest of us did.

[fleaflop]

Hey guys,... thanks to all who replied to my post, and to all that will continue to add info. This could be fun!!
BTW, new bones photo just added. This is what the guts look like when they have not been cleaned for 60+ years.....your mileage may vary!

[OLDSTER]

Weapon, gun, revolver, pistol, chrome, nickel, whatever. Clean her up and you'll have a nice, unique, shooter. Enjoy

[kscharlie]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Welcome to the forum!

You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 1st Change. It has been re-nickel plated or nickel-ed over an original blue finish.

...

Enjoy!!

I am getting more confused each time I revisit this thread.

SCSW 4th says that 1st change has small monogram on left side of frame. OP gun has large monogram on sideplate. Book says either no patent dates on barrel or if they are present are on top of barrel. OP gun has patent dates on right side of barrel. My 1st change has small monogram on left side and patent dates on top of barrel.

My 1903 1st change has two flat springs in grip frame. (See picture.) OP gun has one spring in grip frame. My serial number is 50606 and left the factory in October, 1906.

With all these differences, how can both the OP gun and mine be 1st Change? Still trying to learn...

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by kscharlie

I am getting more confused each time I revisit this thread.

SCSW 4th says that 1st change has small monogram on left side of frame. OP gun has large monogram on sideplate. Book says either no patent dates on barrel or if they are present are on top of barrel. OP gun has patent dates on right side of barrel. My 1st change has small monogram on left side and patent dates on top of barrel.

My 1903 1st change has two flat springs in grip frame. (See picture.) OP gun has one spring in grip frame. My serial number is 50606 and left the factory in October, 1906.

With all these differences, how can both the OP gun and mine be 1st Change? Still trying to learn...

FIRST THING: I screwed up and corrected my original post. Both the OP's serial # and your .32 #50606 are in the 1st Change serial range given in the SCSW.

However, nothing done at the factory is done in serial # order. Although we like when the serial #s can clearly identify the model or change of a gun.

The OP's gun as you so astutely observed is one of those not uncommon situations where we must defer to the design features observed to identify the exact version. The presence of the rebound slide instead of the dual springs in his gun makes it a 2nd Change. Clearly it was built much later than it's serial # indicates.

Many of us on this forum are old farts, and don't type or see well. I certainly am, so a caveat must be to consider the source. We often catch each other in mistakes and typos, and correct them. In this case you identified one of those times. Thank you for your sharp eye.

2ND THING: the serial # ranges for each change are not absolute. It's usually possible to find exceptions. Some features on a particular model may not exactly fit the description in the SCSW.

[Rick Bowles]

I agree with Jim. The biggest problem with the word "weapon" is it carries an offensive connotation that energizes the anti gun folks. Call it a hog leg, smoke wagon, perforating device, bullet launcher etc. As for the finish, it's poorly polished and chrome. Has the OP removed the stocks to see if there is an "N" on the left side of the grip frame?

[fleaflop]

Sorry, Im new here. Does the term "OP" refer to me in this case? Also,.. what does the N mean on the left side of the frame, if the above applies? and..... take it easy Jim,... we got your back,... right fellows?

[fleaflop]

Not sure I agree with Rick,... of weapon having an offensive connotation... I've use the term for years and its always meant the same thing to me. A tool for inflicting damage. Not positive or negative, it says what it is. It can be in self defense or starting the fight. It is what it is, and is why should it should always be respected as a tool of destruction... I don't use it that way,... have never, and don't plan to, but I will and I can if need be. I would like to know if you disagree with that...

[kscharlie]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

FIRST THING: I screwed up and corrected my original post. Both the OP's serial # and your .32 #50606 are in the 2nd Change serial range given in the SCSW.

Many of us on this forum are old farts, and don't type or see well. I certainly am, so a caveat must be to consider the source. We often catch each other in mistakes and typos, and correct them. In this case you identified one of those times. Thank you for your sharp eye.

2ND THING: the serial # ranges for each change are not absolute. It's usually possible to find exceptions. Some features on a particular model may not exactly fit the description in the SCSW.

Hey, no problem Jim. I'm an old fart too. 71 to be exact. And I have made my share of typos and mistakes. There is just way too much "stuff" to remember about S&W.

But, (yeah there is always one of them), per the book ".32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 1st Change", "Serial number range 19426 to 51126 with 31,700 manufactured circa 1904-1906". Given this, both guns fall within the serial number range for 1st Change. I understand that numbers printed are not 100% accurate, and my serial number is approaching the high end for the 1st Change.

Yet all of the markings on the OP gun are wrong for 1st change, and they are all different than the markings on my supposed 1st change. Plus the difference in the grip springs.

So back to my confusion. Are both of these revolvers 1st change, in spite of the many differences? The only reference in the book that I could find regarding the double leaf spring was for the 1st Model of 1896, which mine clearly is not.

It never fails, every time I think I know something about S&W, I quickly learn that I no very little about S&W.

Fleaflop, OP stands for Original Post, so in this case, yes, it refers to you, sort of.

[fleaflop]

kscharlie,... i think your putting us in the realm of the Twilight Zone now... up is down, dawgs living with cats! but thanks for the OP answer.

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by kscharlie

Hey, no problem Jim. I'm an old fart too. 71 to be exact. And I have made my share of typos and mistakes. There is just way too much "stuff" to remember about S&W.

But, (yeah there is always one of them), per the book ".32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 1st Change", "Serial number range 19426 to 51126 with 31,700 manufactured circa 1904-1906". Given this, both guns fall within the serial number range for 1st Change. I understand that numbers printed are not 100% accurate, and my serial number is approaching the high end for the 1st Change.

Yet all of the markings on the OP gun are wrong for 1st change, and they are all different than the markings on my supposed 1st change. Plus the difference in the grip springs.

So back to my confusion. Are both of these revolvers 1st change, in spite of the many differences? The only reference in the book that I could find regarding the double leaf spring was for the 1st Model of 1896, which mine clearly is not.

It never fails, every time I think I know something about S&W, I quickly learn that I no very little about S&W.

Fleaflop, OP stands for Original Post, so in this case, yes, it refers to you, sort of.

OMG, I had it right the first time didn't I? They are both 1st Models and my correction needs correcting! So now I have a new problem, I can't even read anymore! I better go take a nap!!

They do both still fall in the 1st change serial range. The OP's gun is one of those anomalies or the information in the book is not completely accurate. That may be the only new knowledge you've learned: your S&W knowledge is not at fault and his gun just proves it's impossible to pin down exact serial #s as points of change.

[fleaflop]

all right,... all right Hondo,... I came here to be enlightened and my head just exploded !!!!!!!.... You know its not a good idea to drink heavily when your around loaded weapons!...... oops!, sorry, my bad,...I meant guns!

[kscharlie]

Fleaflop, if you would please indulge my request. What is the number stamped on the bottom of the grip frame???

Here's my theory. The number on the bottom of the grip frame is the actual serial number of the revolver. I think what you have is a Model of 1903 2nd Change or newer. I think the barrel on your revolver is from a Model 1903 1st Change. Why the barrel was changed is anyone's guess, but that occurred with some regularity.

I went to my copy of Smith & Wesson by Neal & Jinks to see what I could find. Under the Model of 1903 2nd Change I find where the 2nd flat spring in the grip frame, the hammer return spring, was replaced with a rebound slide/spring for the hammer return.

The OP picture clearly shows the rebound slide. My picture clearly shows the absence of the rebound slide.

Thus, the revolver that started this thread MUST be a 2nd Change or newer. I am guessing the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame is higher than 51126. If I am correct, I solved the mystery. If I am wrong, then I quit and will join Hondo for a nap.

[fleaflop]

you got it ksc,... the theory is, the body and barrel came from two different releases of the weapon,... sorry gun,... and were joined at some point prior to 1960... wow, that is a reach, but possible i suppose. I didn't lay eyes on this gun until @1960. For all I know, it could have been used in the Brinks Robbery, barrel exploded, replaced, and then chromed. Leme know if you need any more photos of the frame under the grips,.. or whatever. I appreciate your time on the research.

[kscharlie]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

you got it ksc,... the theory is, the body and barrel came from two different releases of the weapon,... sorry gun,... and were joined at some point prior to 1960... wow, that is a reach, but possible i suppose. I didn't lay eyes on this gun until @1960. For all I know, it could have been used in the Brinks Robbery, barrel exploded, replaced, and then chromed. Leme know if you need any more photos of the frame under the grips,.. or whatever. I appreciate your time on the research.

Just report the number stamped on the bottom of the grip frame. The pic shows the location. Thanks...

[fleaflop]

Right, the numbers are the same as under barrel,... 34156. I did add a gunked up photo of the part just below the hammer pivot point,(rebound slide). it contains what appears to be the patient date, ... looks like Feb. 06 of 06. Does this mean, its time to take a nap?... There is a different number on the crane... its 356 39.
there is a space between the 6n3, and stamped on both arms of the crane.

[kscharlie]

Yep, nap time. I give up...

The number on the yoke (S&W term is yoke, Colt term is crane) is an assemble number used at the factory when the gun was assembled.

Good night...

[Gary Hogstrom]

As I read this discussion, and read SCSW I am still unclear as to what actually differentiates the 5 Changes, within the Model 1903 .32, line of Guns. Somewhere along the line it went from 2 flat springs in the grip to 1 and a rebound slide, but I don't see where that happens, and that seems like a rather large difference not to be identified. So if someone could explain the 5 Changes I would love to hear about them.

[kscharlie]

Originally Posted by Gary Hogstrom

As I read this discussion, and read SCSW I am still unclear as to what actually differentiates the 5 Changes, within the Model 1903 .32, line of Guns. Somewhere along the line it went from 2 flat springs in the grip to 1 and a rebound slide, but I don't see where that happens, and that seems like a rather large difference not to be identified. So if someone could explain the 5 Changes I would love to hear about them.

Gary, without getting too long-winded, I will make a feeble attempt to answer part of your question.

Obviously, there are many sources of information regarding S&W firearms. The SCSW is an excellent source, as far as it goes. Another excellent source is the book "Smith & Wesson 1857 - 1945" written by Robert J. Neal and Roy G. Jinks. This book is another must have for anyone interested in learning about S&W. Neither book, by itself, provides "all" the information about each of the guns produced. Combined, they provide a more comprehensive explanation. There are details in one that are not in the other.

There have been a few editions of the Neal & Jinks book, and I would recommend obtaining the "newest" edition (1975) which has a considerable amount of new material added to it over the original. Sadly, as the title indicates, it stops at 1945. This book appears to have more information about the actual machining differences that went into each "change" than the SCSW. The SCSW, on the other hand, seems to have more information in it regarding size and positioning of patent dates, monograms and other stampings. So sometimes, it requires a bit of research using both books to come up with a more complete picture.

As sometimes happens, all the combined literature available still does not provide a thorough answer to a particular question. And that is where the knowledge that you find here is invaluable. Occasionally, with everything combined, we are still left without an answer.

I think that is what we have here with this particular instance. One of the first things we look at is the serial number. All of our books give us a range of serial numbers for any particular gun. Like everything else as it relates to S&W, this is merely a guideline. A rather good one, but still a guideline.

In this thread, we have two .32 Hand Ejectors. Both of them have serial numbers within the range given for the Hand Ejector Model of 1903 First Change, 19,426 - 51,126. However, the Neal & Jinks book states, for the 1903, 2nd Change, "A rebound slide was added and the rebound slide spring acted as the trigger spring as well." This tells us that the 1st Change was still using a double leaf spring in the grip frame, one for the hammer and one for the trigger. Further, in this book, there is an added section containing radiographs (similar to x-rays) of many S&W guns. A radiograph of the a 1st change shows the double leaf spring.

Thus my conclusion is that, in spite of the serial number, the OP gun cannot be a 1st Change, but it must be a 2nd Change. Given the serial number of the gun, how that could happen will most likely never be known.

I know this does not actually answer your specific question, but I hope it helps some. Between the two books mentioned and the amazing wealth of knowledge that exists on this forum, 99.9% of questions can be answered. At 71 years of age, I am still asking questions in my attempt to learn.

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by Gary Hogstrom

As I read this discussion, and read SCSW I am still unclear as to what actually differentiates the 5 Changes, within the Model 1903 .32, line of Guns. Somewhere along the line it went from 2 flat springs in the grip to 1 and a rebound slide, but I don't see where that happens, and that seems like a rather large difference not to be identified. So if someone could explain the 5 Changes I would love to hear about them.

In regards to your specific question, you're correct, that particular change is not clearly in the text of the SCSW. The problem is the text is primarily to identify which model you may be looking at, not necessarily to explain the changes and are brief because space is at a premium. So as Charlie posted, the following are needed:

1. Some studying of pictures and texts in the other books,
2. and reading on this forum.
3. Also studying the guns when in hand when you have the opportunity with a friend's gun, at the gunshop, or at a gunshow.
4. And lastly logical deduction. Internal changes can often be detected by the location of their mounting pins on the exterior of the frame; specifically whether the a .32 has the trigger spring or the rebound slide to rebound the trigger.

For example: The original .32 1st model, the Model 1903 the 2nd Model, the 1903 2nd model - 1st Change, nor the 1903 2nd Model - 2nd Change say anything about the two springs, mainspring and trigger spring (which you learned about from this forum).

But the 1903 -2nd Model - 3rd change mentions the rebound slide patent date, 2/6/06. The 2nd Change production began in 1906, but the 3rd Change, not until 1909. And the rebound slide mounting pin seen on the left side of the frame confirms its existence on the 2nd Change. So therefore logical deduction tells us the rebound slide began on the 2nd Change and it had to have replaced the trigger leaf spring!

Yes, one must have a real thirst to know these things, to do the studying and find the answers. Or just read the forum.

[fleaflop]

Ok gentlemen,... at an attempt to get on the same page here...

Is it correct,... the original design of the 1903 .32 had two flat springs, therefore could not have been the OPs gun.
the 1 change created the single flat spring design, or was that the second change?
Are we saying that in total, there were 5 design changes to the .32 1903 during its production life? Moreover, how is it not documented when each of the major component changes occur?

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

Ok gentlemen,... at an attempt to get on the same page here...

Is it correct,... the original design of the 1903 .32 had two flat springs, therefore could not have been the OPs gun.
the 1 change created the single flat spring design, or was that the second change?
Are we saying that in total, there were 5 design changes to the .32 1903 during its production life? Moreover, how is it not documented when each of the major component changes occur?

1. The 2nd change was the introduction of the single spring design and of the rebound slide to take its place.
You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 2nd Change. Although the serial # is clearly within the serial # range of the 1st Change, this is one of those not uncommon situations where we must defer to the design features observed to identify the exact version. Your gun was obviously built later than its serial # might indicate. It was built during the 2nd Change production.

However, we must keep in mind that nothing done at the factory is done in serial # order. Although we like when the serial #s can clearly identify the model or change of a gun, it doesn't always happen that way.


2. Yes, there are 5 Model 1903 changes. Therefore there are 6 different Model 1903 versions, the first Model 1903 having no change #. The 2nd version Model 1903 being the 1st change, etc.


3. There is the intent to document each of the major component changes.
However, as I mentioned in my last post above, if you're only reading the SCSW, that is not its intent, so one must read the other books by the historian Roy Jinks.

The SCSW attempts to describe models and changes by exterior indicators for the novice to quickly identify any S&W w/o having to understand the mechanical details or take the gun apart.

Obviously that did not work for your gun and no book would. This forum is where we find out about anomalies by sharing our actual experiences.
It's not unlike archaeology where new discoveries are made every day, nullifying what we thought we knew and documented in books and scientific papers.


Hope that helps,

[Gary Hogstrom]

Hondo , Thank you for your reply. I did not think to look in my "Neal & Jinks" for the answers I was looking for. After reading the various change write ups I can understand the difficulty of an answer, it's just not a simple answer.

[fleaflop]

Can I use .32 longs in this gun? thanks,

[Muley Gil]

Originally Posted by fleaflop

Can I use .32 longs in this gun? thanks,

Yes indeed. It will also fire the .32 S&W round. The .32 Long is a longer version of the .32 S&W and is loaded with more powder, making it a bit more powerful.

[Hondo44]

The gun and the .32 Long cartridge were actually designed and introduced to the market at the same time and to be compatible together.

Any current standard .32 Long ammo is safe in your gun.

[steelslaver]

Weapon.

Years ago shortly after 9/11 it was decided that refinery workers need some sort of Federal ID and as many refineries had an open port,the powers that be decided we needed to get TWIC cards. Transportation Worker Identification Cards. Much like used by workers in Airports, shipping terminals etc.

So, after submitting paper work and waiting for some time, I end up in an office with 2 women who run you through the final stages. Birth certificate, picture ID, finger prints etc etc. Any way while doing it, in conversation with the lady processing me I remarked I made damascus knives. She was interested, so I showed her a small pocket knife with about a 2" damascus blade. The other lady come rushing over and says "You brought a weapon in here"! I said, "No, this is a tool. What is a weapon? I could kill somebody with one of those pencils there." Pointing at a cup full of sharpened #2 pencils. "People have been using sharp sticks as weapons forever" She reached out and slid the cup of pencils to the far side of the desk. Obviously, she did think the pencils were weapons! I was allowed to finish. But, the worry wart kept a nervous eye on me.

So, when you say weapon, I can't tell if your talking about a gun, a pencil or the keyboard you could use to bash someone on the head.

[Hondo44]

steelslaver,

Interesting experience!

And you're precisely right, 'weapon' like 'tool' is a generic and inaccurate term that doesn't identify an item. They can apply to a million different items, certainly not just a gun or a knife. But unlike 'tool' it carries an unnecessary negative and offensive connotation.

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

steelslaver,

Interesting experience!

And you're precisely right, 'weapon' like 'tool' is a generic and inaccurate term that doesn't identify an item. They can apply to a million different items, certainly not just a gun or a knife. But unlike 'tool' it carries an unnecessary negative and offensive connotation.

A weapon doesn't even have to be a physical object.

[bluetopper]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

FYI: It's simply a revolver or handgun. Like a hammer or a golf club, it can be used as a weapon, but until they are, they're not called weapons.

Enjoy!!

Simply a great analogy and one I agree with 100%. I will be using this phrase in the future.
Thanks Hondo44

[Mnspring]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

FYI: It's simply a revolver or handgun. Like a hammer or a golf club, it can be used as a weapon, but until they are, they're not called weapons.

Totaly, Absolutely, CORRECT !
I have this screwdriver, is it a 'weapon', or a ,'tool' >?

[fleaflop]

Hey Gang,... Please check out these photos and let me know if you have any info on this pistol.... thanks!

[Hondo44]

There's only one photo.

EDITED:

A Model 36 known as the 38 Chiefs Special. Chambered for the .38 S&W Special cartridge, has a 3" barrel, and is a 5 shot built on the 3 screw J frame. Made sometime between 1961 and 1968. The serial # will help pin it down closer than that.

[fleaflop]

Hi Jim,... and thanks! sn is up now, with logo side of pistol.
MOD-36 is stamped inside swing arm, or crane,... sorry cant remember what SWs term is for the part.