.32 HE Symposium purchase

turnerriver · #1 10-10-2021, 11:46 AM

I picked up this .32 hand ejector at the recent SWCA symposium. Like others here I like the .32 revolvers, arthritis makes them pleasant to shoot.
I knew I had a holster or 2 for it. Grips are numbered, 3 1/4” barrel, serial number 574678 puts it in the early post-war range and it’s in great shape.
It was a fantastic meeting, if you’re thinking of joining the SWCA you should and if you can you should attend a Symposium.
Regards,
turnerriver

Jaymo · #2 10-10-2021, 12:17 PM

Very nice. The .32s are a lot of fun to shoot.

ordnanceguy · #3 10-10-2021, 12:26 PM

That's a great looking little .32, John, and a perfect match with your Heiser.

Wiregrassguy · #4 10-10-2021, 12:38 PM

Thanks to the auction, I've got the ammo!

oddshooter · #5 10-10-2021, 01:17 PM

Great HE, awesome leather, and the boxes are a trip to the past.

But, I wish you guys would stop telling everybody about the .32's.

They are hard enough to find already.

Prescut

Hondo44 · #6 10-10-2021, 01:35 PM

Bravo!
A first version (rd sight) Improved I frame (coil main spring), 5 screw.

Green Frog · #7 10-10-2021, 01:40 PM

Is that an “Improved I frame” with the coil spring action? That looks like one of the earliest ones of the newer generation. I really like the small frame 32s (as my many posts on the subject indicate) and for several years I’ve been jonesing for one with a 3 to 4 inch barrel. It’s just so handy for a variety of uses. Congrats on a great find.

BTW, are you a reloader? You can really maximize your enjoyment of the 32 if you roll your own, and a few pounds of lead and a pound of powder stem to last forever… your only real expense is primers, which get used up at the same rate as any cartridge.

Froggie

PS I fell asleep while I was typing and the picture of old ammo boxes and Hondo44’s comment were added… “snooze you lose!” But I still want you to think about reloading.

Wiregrassguy · #8 10-10-2021, 02:38 PM

I like the 'lil buggers' too.

.32 HE on bottom with big sister .38 Reg Police on top. Both from the mid-1920's. These just show up at my house. Dunno where they came from

.

SS336 · #9 10-10-2021, 02:45 PM

Beautiful revolver turnerriver, and the perfect holster for it too, nice package. Don’t own a .32, sure would like to find one like yours. 👍

Hondo44 · #10 10-10-2021, 03:18 PM

I don’t have my database with me, but I suspect a shipping date in the 1st half of 1952. Will confirm later.

Hondo44 · #11 10-11-2021, 04:26 PM

turnerriver,

Serial #'s near yours cluster around and indicates a probable March 1952 ship date for yours. But as you know there's little chronology of #s and ship dates so it can vary by months.

It likely has a serrated trigger, does it?

Also notice it appears to have the grey plastic medallions instead of nickel plated brass so common for these during the Korean war years which caused a brass shortage. We also see stainless steel medallions during this period.

turnerriver · #12 10-11-2021, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

turnerriver,

Serial #'s near yours cluster around and indicates a probable March 1952 ship date for yours. But as you know there's little chronology of #s and ship dates so it can vary by months.

It likely has a serrated trigger, does it?

Also notice it appears to have the grey plastic medallions instead of nickel plated brass so common for these during the Korean war years which caused a brass shortage. We also see stainless steel medallions during this period.

Thank you, Jim. That makes it a birth year gun. It has a smooth trigger and the medallions are grey plastic.
Knowledge enhances my enjoyment of my guns and holsters, thanks for making yours so readily available.
Regards,

StrawHat · #13 10-12-2021, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnerriver

I knew I had a holster or 2 for it.
…

That’s funny! Only one or two?

Kevin

raljr1 · #14 10-12-2021, 08:08 AM

Just checked. One more 32 and I'll have a baker's dozen...here I go. Nice piece OP.

Robert