32 long revolver age determination

[bpowell]

Hello, and thanks for allowing me to join the forum.

I have acquired a Smith & Wesson 32 Long CTG revolver. It is a hand ejector with serial #259XXX and has a 4.25 inch barrel. It also has fixed sights and 5 screws. (There is a screw in front of the trigger guard.) The finish is pretty rough so the patent information on the top of the barrel is not legible. I am hoping someone can provide the approximate date of manufacture.

Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give me.

[Hondo44]

It's a Hand Ejector: ".32 Regulation Police". The .32 LONG CTG is the cartridge to shoot in it.

Shipped ~ May of 1917.

The P in a circle under the barrel means it was originally nickel plated at the factory when new.

Enjoy!

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

The P in a circle under the barrel means it was originally nickel plated at the factory when new.

Now there is a fact I didn't know. Was this only on the I frames, Jim?

[bpowell]

Thank you for the quick response and information.

[Hondo44]

I don't know Jack. But so far I haven't seen any stamps that were unique to a specific frame. The P in circle is fairly rare and seems only used pre war.

Besides the B for blue and N for nickel, also observed ahead of pre war serial #s on the barrel flat (or in shroud), are stamps in diamonds like <S> (silver), <G> (gold), or just a P in a circle (for plated, including nickel).

Which stamping was used depended heavily on the time frame and service technician working on the gun.