.32 Hand Ejector Age and General Info

[AWBAGWELL85]

Picked up an old .32 Hand Ejector.....not a whole lot of Nickel left but I love these grip (I believe they are real ivory or stag). I now have 3 S&W'S....building my collection!!!! Can you guys help me date it? Serial 311116.

 

[murphydog]

If it has not been refinished, the lack of a logo and Made in U.S.A. stamps suggest a ship date in the late 1910 to early 1920 decade. Hope this is helpful.

 

[AWBAGWELL85]

Very Helpful...thanks a lot!! I love this gun for all it's character.....

 

[glowe]

The finish actually looks a little lumpy and I suspect an old, but poor re-nickel. The serial number puts the shipment from the factory in 1919-1920. What are the stocks made of - ivory? They do not look like factory originals as evidenced by the thick top circle. They may be homemade, but do not fit the butt frame very well either.

Well worn and abused, but I bet it still will function just fine.

 

[AWBAGWELL85]

Some parts of the nickel seem to be "bubbling" up....maybe it is a poor refinish. No biggie...I only paid $100, and lockup is pretty tight and it cycles well....came with some ammo too (standard load of course )
I noticed the grips don't fit perfectly and never thought them to be original, what I meant by real is that they seem like ivory or some other animal horn or stag. They have that "clack" to them and are definitely not plastic or any other synthetic. Thanks for the reply!

 

[AWBAGWELL85]

Is there any way to determine if it was electroplated or chemically plated? Seems like it would be a fun project to strip or reverse electroplate and blue it. Also, where could I get some grips that would fit? What kind of grips typically shipped with guns of this type and age?

 

[glowe]

Is there any way to determine if it was electroplated or chemically plated? Seems like it would be a fun project to strip or reverse electroplate and blue it. Also, where could I get some grips that would fit? What kind of grips typically shipped with guns of this type and age?

If the finish is nickel, I think it can be reversed no matter how it was deposited on the surface. Original stocks are normally black rubber as shown on the revolver below. Watch ebay for I frame stocks, as they show up quite often.

 

[tjpopkin]

Here is an example of a mint condition .32 Hand Ejector of that era….

 

[AWBAGWELL85]

Wow! Stunning weapon...I will probably end up trying to find a pair of those black rubber grips.

 

[AWBAGWELL85]

Just hit me that the hammer and trigger are plated on my .32....and aren't on any of the other pics I've seen.

Sure sign of a refinish?

 

[DWalt]

Just hit me that the hammer and trigger are plated on my .32....and aren't on any of the other pics I've seen.

Sure sign of a refinish?

Yes - and by someone other than S&W. S&W did not plate hammers and triggers.