.32 Long

TYSS08 · #1 01-16-2021, 05:32 PM

Hi all,

I browsed the forum before posting and it looks like I have similar questions to many who have posted before me. I have my grandfather's S&W .32 long. To my knowledge, there's been no modifications. I'd love find out some history on the gun if you guys could assist. If I had to guess he made a trade for it many many years ago. He died in 1995 at the age of 90. He was mainly a long gun kind of guy; shotguns and .22's were his thing. I'd love to see if I can find out a little bit about the gun. No interest in selling or value. Just history. I plan on taking it out and throwing some rounds through it with my sons (18 and 13).

The serial # from the bottom of the grip plate is 273369.

Here are some pics:

mod34 · #2 01-16-2021, 05:56 PM

Mine is #90195. Interestingly enough, also has MoP grips. Last patent date on mine is Feb. 08, 1908.

Wiregrassguy · #3 01-16-2021, 06:07 PM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Your grandfather's .32 is a .32 Hand Ejector, 3rd Model from most likely 1919. It is built on the I hand ejector frame which began production in 1896 and was modified to your gun's major look in 1903. Production of this configuration continued through WWII until just after when it was converted from a flat mainspring to a coil. Later the I frame was converted to the J frame around 1960. In 1957, it became the Model 30 when S&W went to model numbers.

Your gun has mother of pearl grips which are not factory original. Originally, it would have had black hard rubber, round top grips like these on my .32 HE.

TYSS08 · #4 01-16-2021, 07:00 PM

Thanks Wiregrass!! Very cool information. Would you consider there to be any value in returning it to factory grips (if I could find originals)? It is my understanding that the MoP grips were usually installed by a seller (store) as an "aftermarket" add on. Is that correct?

Wiregrassguy · #5 01-16-2021, 07:52 PM

I don't see any value in restoring the grips except sentimental. The grips on it were your grandfather's and have been on the gun for a long time. You can always get some grips to shoot with and keep the pearls on it when not Shooting. You can buy replica grips from gungrip.com. or original from eBay or from a classified ad here on The Forum.

It was fairly common in the late 1800s for Distributors to replace the original grips with pearl or ivory or some other product. So it would not be out of character for a dealer to put Pearl grips on the small gun to enhance its appearance. These little guns were often carried in the pockets or purses of the owners. They likely wanted to dress them up and the dealers accommodated them.

Guy

JP@AK · #6 01-16-2021, 08:23 PM

Here's one from a few years earlier. This one shipped in March, 1916. Stocks are original and number to the gun. The cleaning rod is also original. I have the box, but it is in poor condition.

StrawHat · #7 01-16-2021, 09:34 PM

The 32 Hand Ejector is a fun gun. I am a dyed in the wool N frame fan, specifically ones chambered for the 45 ACP. BUT, my little 32 HE is a blast to shoot and keeps me grinning for a long time. I prefer wadcutter loads. Do you reload? This round, when reloaded, is cheaper to shoot than 22 LR! Here is mine with the original hard rubber grips.

Kevin

steelslaver · #8 01-16-2021, 10:13 PM

I am with Strawhat. Love my N frame 45 and my 32 guns for fun. I don't know whats up with the current ammo shortage, but before that you could get loaded ammo pretty cheap. Reloading the most expensive part is the primer if you buy a Lee bullet mold and cast over 70 bullets per lb of lead. Powder goes a long ways over 3000 rounds per pound

CptCurl · #9 01-17-2021, 08:39 AM

I'm a big fan of the I-Frame .32 revolvers. In my collection are two Mod. 1903 3rd Models. One is a rare target version that shipped in 1918. The other is a 3-1/4" version, a little later than the OP's, that shipped in 1922. Here are a couple photos of the 1922 gun:

I posted a whole bunch of photos of this revolver many years ago at this thread: .32 Hand Ejector 3rd Model #359379

For shooting pleasure, I generally use the 6" Target Model or a .32 Regulation Police.

I agree these are sweeeeeeet to shoot!

Curl

larryofcc · #10 01-17-2021, 02:39 PM

Question? I have a nice M&P .38 Special with the round butt. It is # 230842, and was shipped 12-16. It is the third model if I read the book correctly. It came with the stocks with the gold medallions, and is unnumbered. I do realize that the revolver is over 100 years old and the penciled number may have just evaporated. My question is, is this revolver correct with the wood stocks, or the rubber type? I have both types, both un numbered and both are fitted perfectly to the revolver. Thanks, Big Larry

Green Frog · #11 01-17-2021, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryofcc

Question? I have a nice M&P .38 Special with the round butt. It is # 230842, and was shipped 12-16. It is the third model if I read the book correctly. It came with the stocks with the gold medallions, and is unnumbered. I do realize that the revolver is over 100 years old and the penciled number may have just evaporated. My question is, is this revolver correct with the wood stocks, or the rubber type? I have both types, both un numbered and both are fitted perfectly to the revolver. Thanks, Big Larry

That is a nice one, Larry. Have you tried holding a light over the inside of the right grip at various angles to see whether the penciled lines show up? There have been several folks who have mentioned this in the past, so it might work for you as well. As you say, the graphite placed in that wood 100 years ago has a tendency to disappear over time, plus the fact that oil soaks through, and some just weren't marked from the beginning.

I believe you probably would get more attention if you started a fresh thread for it though... the 38 guys sometimes turn up their noses at those of us of the 32 persuasion, not thinking we're manly enough or something. They might not see this in a thread about 32s. Besides, this is a nice enough gun to have its own thread.

Froggie

Muley Gil · #12 01-17-2021, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryofcc

Question? I have a nice M&P .38 Special with the round butt. It is # 230842, and was shipped 12-16. It is the third model if I read the book correctly. It came with the stocks with the gold medallions, and is unnumbered. I do realize that the revolver is over 100 years old and the penciled number may have just evaporated. My question is, is this revolver correct with the wood stocks, or the rubber type? I have both types, both un numbered and both are fitted perfectly to the revolver. Thanks, Big Larry

Either would be correct. You would need a letter from Dr Roy to know fer sure.

H Richard · #13 01-17-2021, 08:17 PM

32's are so much fun. Easy to shoot, mild recoil, accurate, easy to load for, what else do you want?

and the 32 auto's aren't bad either.

nbedford · #14 01-17-2021, 08:28 PM

What's not to like .312" 98 grain bullet and 2 grains of Bullseye to shoot to factory regulated point of aim. 3500 loads per pound of Bullseye. Cheaper than 22LR if you cast your bullets.

StrawHat · #15 01-17-2021, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

32's are so much fun. Easy to shoot, mile recoil, accurate, easy to load for, what else do you want?

Which model are those?

Kevin