1903 HE

[smithfelty]

I have come across a 1903 S&W HE, don't know much about them and could use a lesson on them before buying one. Owner states it has a 03 build date with a six inch barrel in 32 long. I would think that this was in the days of excellent workmanship at S&W. Any helpful info on these firearms would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Here is what the Standard Catalog of S&W, fourth edition has to say

.32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 (. 32 Hand Ejector, 2nd Model) Caliber – .32 S& W Long , double-action revolver built on the round butt I frame, with 5 screws, 3-1/ 4", 4-1 /4" or 6-inch round barrel lengths , blue or nickel finish, round butt or extension type square buttstock of checkered black hard rubber with S& W monograms, service or target sights, round blade front sight forged into the barrel. This is the first model to have a locking lug for the extractor rod under the barrel, also appears to be the first model with a pinned barrel, the cylinder stop is also moved to the center of the
ANIB Exc VG Good
1250 750 500 350

Also Hondo44 is an expert on these guns and should be along shortly to tell you more.

Guy

 

[StrawHat]

Here is a Model 1903, 32 caliber Hand Ejector with a 3 1/4" barrel. Not from 1903 but maybe dozen years later. Possibly my favorite smallbore revolver.

Kevin

 

[kscharlie]

Without a serial number, it is impossible to venture a guess as to when the gun in question was shipped. My oldest one is a Model of 1903 1st Change, serial number 506xx and was shipped in 1906. It has a 4 1/4" barrel. 6" barrels are seen less often. If you get one, I can assure you that there will be more of them in your future. They are really fun guns.

 

[tenntex32]

Here is a Model 1903, 32 caliber Hand Ejector with a 3 1/4" barrel. Not from 1903 but maybe dozen years later. Possibly my favorite smallbore revolver.

Kevin

Kevin,

I wound up with a 1919'ish example not too long ago.

I bought it "for the wife".

Without a frame of reference it's hard to tell just how tiny they really are.

 

[StrawHat]

Kevin,...Without a frame of reference it's hard to tell just how tiny they really are...

Just going on a 10 day business trip. When I get back, I'll post a photo with my hat for scale.

Kevin

 

[tenntex32]

Just going on a 10 day business trip. When I get back, I'll post a photo with my hat for scale.

Kevin

Heck, you could easily fit it under your hat!

 

[B_Still]

Kevin,



I wound up with a 1919'ish example not too long ago.



I bought it "for the wife".



Without a frame of reference it's hard to tell just how tiny they really are.

funny, a few weeks ago my impulse buy .32 Regulation Police (circa 1918) was also "for my wife". She was disappointed that it's not "pink". Oh well...

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

 

[StrawHat]

Heck, you could easily fit it under your hat!

Here is a photograph I have handy. My every day summer hat with my EDC piece, a 4" N frame.

Kevin

 

[steelslaver]

Here is some size prospective. The I frame flat latch has a 3" barrel and is just above the tiny M frame lady Smith. Above and left is a K frame model 19. Directly above is an J frame 38 special
XNLKJIM frames

 

[Hondo44]

They do represent the very impressive craftsmanship of early 20th century Smith and Wessons. The 6 " barrel is much less common than the shorter lengths.

We can't confirm or deny the vintage or specific variation of its evolution w/o a serial # from the grip butt and a photo. From 1896 when the 1st .32 Hand Ejector I frame and the new .32 Long cartridge were introduced together, the next ~20 years included some large and many small improvements.

That particular gun to be from 1903, could be in the serial range of 1 to 19712 and be a .32 Hand Ejector Model 1896, i.e., 1st Model.

Or could be in the serial # range of 1 to 19425 and be a .32 HE Model of 1903, i.e., 2nd Model. And look more like kscharlie's, above:

Photo courtesy of kscharlie