need help identifying value

Bigsully58 · #1 08-02-2022, 11:55 PM

First post. I have recently purchased a S&W M&P (I believe) that seems to be very valuable and I can't figure out why. Characteristics are: 5" barrel, Blued (has been professionally redone), 6-shot revolver, chambered in .32Long. Serial # is C547XX. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

toddimusnimski · #2 08-03-2022, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigsully58

First post. I have recently purchased a S&W M&P (I believe) that seems to be very valuable and I can't figure out why. Characteristics are: 5" barrel, Blued (has been professionally redone), 6-shot revolver, chambered in .32Long. Serial # is C547XX. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th Edition, Page 148-149 says 910 shipped with 5" barrel, out of 4813 manufactured 1948-1950, with most going to Mexico. Value as New, 4200, Excellent 3000, Very Good 2200, Good 1500, Fair 850.

Unfortunately those values are in Pesos...

No seriously, it sounds great. We would love to see some pics and hear how you came about it! The reblue does hurt the value, but with this model's scarcity, hopefully not too badly.

Welcome to the Forum!

Todd

Retired W4 · #3 08-03-2022, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigsully58

First post. I have recently purchased a S&W M&P (I believe) that seems to be very valuable and I can't figure out why. Characteristics are: 5" barrel, Blued (has been professionally redone), 6-shot revolver, chambered in .32Long. Serial # is C547XX. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Great first post. I've never seen a 32 M&P, let alone a 5". I would check for serial number on the inside of the right stock panel and indications of factory rework (diamond w/B, 5 pointed star, 3 or 4 digit date code on grip frame, etc.).

Please post pictures if you can.

JP@AK · #4 08-03-2022, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired W4

I've never seen a 32 M&P, let alone a 5".

Here's one.

This one is a bit older than the OP's. S prefix serial number, shipped on April 21, 1948.

DWalt · #5 08-03-2022, 02:43 PM

They do exist but are uncommon to find. I also have a 5” one. There is a little bit of mystery about these. Some, like mine, lettered as being sold in the USA. Presumably, most were exported. For sure, some are known to have gone to Mexico and South America. There are no hard details that I am aware of beyond that. Just because of the fact that so few are known, I would say that in relatively good original condition, I wouldn’t be surprised to see at least a $2K price tag on one. I believe that the potential for significant future value increase is very high, simply because of great scarcity in the USA. There are also M&Ps factory chambered in .22rf. Those are even more scarce.

Bigsully58 · #6 08-03-2022, 09:30 PM

Thank you to all you knowledgeable fellow Smith guys for helping me with info on this somewhat rare Smith. I have attached some photos for you to check out. I purchased this revolver off of Armslist from a private sale.

DWalt · #7 08-03-2022, 10:36 PM

I occasionally shoot mine, and have let my grandchildren send some rounds downrange. You may be aware that both .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long cartridges can be used. It is a real pipsqueak when .32 S&W ammo is fired in it. I once even fired some .32 ACP through it.

Muley Gil · #8 08-03-2022, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

I occasionally shoot mine, and have let my grandchildren send some rounds downrange. You may be aware that both .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long cartridges can be used. It is a real pipsqueak when .32 S&W ammo is fired in it. I once even fired some .32 ACP through it.

I have had a couple of 1 1/2 centerfire topbreaks, chambered in .32 S&W. I once sat an empty coke can on a fence post and shot it . The can barely toppled over. I think a .22 rimfire is more powerful.

The 1 1/2 feels good in the hand and points well. I wish I had one chambered in .22 Long Rifle.

MajorD · #9 08-04-2022, 01:46 AM

While a rather rare model which helps value the refinish ( which doesn’t look at all professional based on your pictures) hurts the value substantially

It would be equal to fair condition value auoted above as 850, which is probably not far off

Bigsully58 · #10 08-21-2022, 12:16 AM

Hello fellow Smith enthusiasts. Need some help identifying a Smith I recently picked up at a Pawn shop. Has all the characteristics of a Model 32 Terrier but have not seen one in Nickel. No model number listed anywhere on gun. Crane markings are the letter O and 9566 underneath the O. Serial # is 96372 listed on bottom of grip frame. Any help is greatly appreciated. I have attached a couple of photos.DSC03051 (1).jpg

DSC03052 (1).jpg

AKtinman · #11 08-21-2022, 08:33 AM

Link to Bigsully58's successful auction of the .32 M&P:

Just a moment...

Wiregrassguy · #12 08-21-2022, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Need some help identifying a Smith I recently picked up at a Pawn shop. Has all the characteristics of a Model 32 Terrier but have not seen one in Nickel.

That's a Chiefs Special. A Terrier doesn't shoot .38 Special...only .38 S&W. It also may have been refinished. Look under the barrel for an N before the serial number and on the rear face of the cylinder and under the extractor star for an N. If there, it was originally plated at the factory. Probably made in 1956.

two-bit cowboy · #13 08-21-2022, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigsully58

Need some help identifying a Smith....

Serial # is 96372 listed on bottom of grip frame.

Based on many others in the database, I believe it's likely it shipped around February 1957. The nickel ones of that era are rather few and far between. Really a shame its grips are from '66 or later. The originals would have had diamonds around the screw and nut escutcheons.

Please let us know about the "N" markings Guy mentioned. There should be an "N" stamped on the bottom left side of the grip frame, and it's possible in that era that there's no serial number stamped on the bottom of the barrel.