Recently acquired I Frame

[Longfin]

Hello everyone. I do alot of lurking and learning here, but do not post very often. I'm a S&W fan and have several revolvers: 1909 papered I-frame that was by great grand dad's; a Victory model M&P in 38 S&W; Model 36, and Model 28. I recently acquired another I-Frame from a friend who bought out a fellar's collection. I have no use for this revolver other than it just seemed to grow on me the more I messed with it. It had a nice bronze/silver patina with little light pitting that 0000 steel wool should mostly take care of. It appears to be a post war transition piece from what I have been able to learn on this forum. It had a 3 1/4 inch barrel, coil spring, three screw side plate, half moon sight, and magna grips. The serial number is 60171x. I gave $150.00 for it and think it was worth that. It locks up well, groups well at 30 feet, but hits about 6-7 inches high and a little to the right. Not sure if I want to re-blue it or not as the patina covers the entire piece and is evenly spread. This revolver must have seen alot of packing to have the bluing worn off the way it is.

Any additional information on this revolver would be appreciated.

 

[twaits]

Nice looking little gun. Love that barrel length. Perfect gun for packing.
I think the patina looks great the way it is. I'd just shoot and enjoy it.

 

[H Richard]

That would be a "Pre-30", a .32 Hand Ejector Post War. I'm going to guess about a 1955 mfg. I have one S/N 60009X which shipped in Jan 1953. These are great little guns, referred to as an Improved I Frame with the coil spring mainspring. They were named the Model 30 in 1957. Here's mine, they are great shooters. If you look under the top of the grip, you will find the 4th side plate screw, and with the one in front of the trigger guard makes it a 5 screw.

 

[DCWilson]

Nice little gun. Congratulations on adding it to the stable.

I think this one might have shipped in 1953 or possibly very late 1952. It can't be earlier, as it has no strain screw in the forestrap. That means this gun is built on the improved I-frame, which uses a coil mainspring rather than the screw-tensioned flat mainspring seen in the prewar I-frames. Other I-frames with similar serial numbers shipped about this time. It is possible, however, because of S&W's number-insensitive shipping policies, that this one sat on the shelf for a while before it was picked up for shipping. You would need a factory letter to nail down the exact date.

 

[Green Frog]

As usual, David gave good information. For even more, go to this thread;

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/188443-some-i-frame-s.html

And see what he told us there. Be sure to look on the second (of five) pages at Hondo44's pictures and descriptions to help nail down just how the variations fit in. I was overwhelmed with all the great info that thread brought out.

Regards,
Froggie

"Just another aspiring I-Frame fan!!"

 

[Longfin]

Thanks for all the information on this revolver. This forum has a wealth of knowledge. The more I learn about this model of S&W and the more I carry it around, the more I appeciate the fine quality of this firearm. Does anyone have suggestion on who makes a holster, preferrably IWB, that would work for the 3 1/4 inch barrel?

 

[I'm3rd]

I have a round butt 3-1/4" bbl model 30 serial 715### cal.32 S&W Long that my wife inherited from her mom who as far as we know never fired it, although her brother probably fired a few rounds before he gave it to her and I fired a 25 round box of Fiocchi ammo in it. It is virtually in like new condition with a perfect polished blue finish and just the faint beginning of a wear ring on the cylinder. I have been told by someone online that the serial # indicates a production date in the late 1960s. Can anyone confirm that? I don't know how to post photos but my wife does so I may post a couple later on.

 

[DCWilson]

I have a round butt 3-1/4" bbl model 30 serial 715### cal.32 S&W Long that my wife inherited from her mom who as far as we know never fired it, although her brother probably fired a few rounds before he gave it to her and I fired a 25 round box of Fiocchi ammo in it. It is virtually in like new condition with a perfect polished blue finish and just the faint beginning of a wear ring on the cylinder. I have been told by someone online that the serial # indicates a production date in the late 1960s. Can anyone confirm that? I don't know how to post photos but my wife does so I may post a couple later on.

A little earlier, I think; probably 1962-63.

Welcome to the forum!