32 S&W Whatsit?

[NavySCPO]

So my Buddy at the local pawn shop calls me to say he has a Colt Anaconda in the original box coming out of pawn and going in the case today. Just don’t see many of those, so I put some Benjamin’s in my wallet (only 16 so I don’t get stupid) and go out the door. Long story short, the hammer and trigger don’t feel right at all, sticky and gritty, add that to the $1999.99 tag, no wiggle room for a gun just coming out, and we’re done.

Then he shows me this little neglected cutie, looks like it’s had a pretty hard life, but after some light haggling, and an offer of $250 OTD, why not?

I “think” what I have is a 32 Hand Ejector 3rd Model based on the SN (337086). Can someone much smarter please confirm this?

Serial numbers on the grip, barrel flat, cylinder rear face and star all match. The only pencil mark on the right stock still readable is the ‘6’, so who knows, they look original, but can’t be sure. Patent dates on the top of the barrel are FEB 6.06, SEP 14.09, and DEC 28.14. Needs some cleaning and polishing, even then it’s never going to be a prom queen, but it’s just a neat little revolver that appears to be mechanically sound, and as of today my only ‘I’ Frame.

Just noticed the bottom of the left stock “Patent JUNE 5 1917”.

 

[mh51]

You have a .32 Regulation Police, probably made late teens to early 1920's.
You seem to have a good shooter, and they are fun to shoot!

 

[Mbrgr1]

$250? You are guilty of armed robbery!

 

[gmborkovic]

Danny, for $250 OTD, do a happy dance on the way home. Great snag.

 

[JP@AK]

A very nice find!

I think if you look closer, the last patent date is December 29, 1914.

Anyway, it's a gem - patent date on the stocks is for the special RP stocks only.

 

[Hondo44]

Great find! Great price!

First made in 1917, the .32 Regulation Police (not marked on the barrel like the .38 RP) was introduced just before the Great War.

Yours was made no earlier than ~1920 when the logo on the left frame side was used once again, but before the MADE IN U.S.A. was marked on the right side frame by change order in May 1922.

If the penciled 6 on back of the right grip is to the right near the top of the grip in the position showed in your photo, the grips are almost assuredly original.

Enjoy!!

 

[jkallner]

Congratulations on a great deal. And you thought it was a rescue of a neglected shooter, it is, it's just you got a great deal on the way. See, Karma does work. Great job, keep it up and don't let the pawn guy know - you'll not get another break for sure.

 

[NavySCPO]

Great find! Great price!

First made in 1917, the .32 Regulation Police (not marked on the barrel like the .38 RP) was introduced just before the Great War.

Yours was made no earlier than ~1920 when the logo on the left frame side was used once again, but before the MADE IN U.S.A. was marked on the right side frame by change order in May 1922.

If the penciled 6 on back of the right grip is to the right near the top of the grip in the position showed in your photo, the grips are almost assuredly original.

Enjoy!!

Thank you, that’s exactly where it is Jim. Very near the right edge, making me think it’s the last number they wrote. In fact the grips to me were as attractive as the gun, a few bumps here and there but in very good shape for 100 years old.

Hard to see even in the right light, but sure looks like a 6 to my old eyes.

 

[NavySCPO]

A very nice find!

I think if you look closer, the last patent date is December 29, 1914.

Anyway, it's a gem - patent date on the stocks is for the special RP stocks only.

Thanks Jack, yes sir, you are correct, (as always).

 

[NavySCPO]

Yours was made no earlier than ~1920 when the logo on the left frame side was used once again, but before the MADE IN U.S.A. was marked on the right side frame by change order in May 1922

Right on the mark! Roy shows it shipped in December 1920.

Obviously $250 was a good price, and no intention of ever selling it, all my S&W’s are promised to my Granddaughter. However, I do like to put an estimated value on my spreadsheet.

Any rough estimates as to value? 4th Edition lists Fair as $300, and Good at $450. With all the nickel chips just don’t see it as Very Good.

 

[raljr1]

I'd take her dancin....i would put today's value at $450 to 500

Robert

 

[Hondo44]

Thank you, that’s exactly where it is Jim. Very near the right edge, making me think it’s the last number they wrote. In fact the grips to me were as attractive as the gun, a few bumps here and there but in very good shape for 100 years old.

Hard to see even in the right light, but sure looks like a 6 to my old eyes.

Looks like the grips/gun got wet at some time and why the grain is raised, destroyed the penciled #, and caused the corrosion where they touched the grip frame.

If I squint, I think I can even see the digit 8 before the 6 from your serial # 337086.