old I-frame S&W .32 Hand ejector Manufacturing date

[warren5421]

I have an old I-frame S&W .32 Hand ejector serial number: 63990. It is a 5 screw with cylinder swinging out to the left. It is a six shot nickeled with pearl grips. On the left side of barrel is a bracket then "32 LONG CTG" then another bracket. Under the Crain on the frame is a number: 18323. Under the cylinder release lever is the "S with W in a circle" with TRADE stamped on top of circle and MARK on bottom of circle. on the bottom of the gun the number 63990 is stamped into the butt with the 6 on the barrel side of the gun butt.
On top of barrel is stamped:
"SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS USA"
"PATD APRIL.9.1889.MARCH.27.1894" "AUG.4.1896.DEC.22.1898.OCT.8.1901" "DEC.17.1901,SEPT.2.1902,JULY.7.1903"

The sights are fixed, blade front and groves rear with a pinched area just in front of hammer. Hammer and trigger are color case harded. Barren is pinned. I think it is a TRIPEL LOCK

Can someone tell me when it was made and if modern factor loads are safe in it or should black powder or light reloads be used?

 

[bamabiker]

If I'm reading the book right it should be somewhere between 1906 and 1909. One of the more knowledgeable should be along to verify that and maybe get closer.

 

[StrawHat]

I have an old I-frame S&W .32 Hand ejector serial number: 63990. It is a 5 screw with cylinder swinging out to the left. It is a six shot nickeled with pearl grips. On the left side of barrel is a bracket then "32 LONG CTG" then another bracket. Under the Crain on the frame is a number: 18323. Under the cylinder release lever is the "S with W in a circle" with TRADE stamped on top of circle and MARK on bottom of circle. on the bottom of the gun the number 63990 is stamped into the butt with the 6 on the barrel side of the gun butt.
On top of barrel is stamped:
"SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS USA"
"PATD APRIL.9.1889.MARCH.27.1894" "AUG.4.1896.DEC.22.1898.OCT.8.1901" "DEC.17.1901,SEPT.2.1902,JULY.7.1903"

The sights are fixed, blade front and groves rear with a pinched area just in front of hammer. Hammer and trigger are color case harded. Barren is pinned. I think it is a TRIPEL LOCK

Can someone tell me when it was made and if modern factor loads are safe in it or should black powder or light reloads be used?

If it is a 32 Long, it can NOT be a factory TripleLock. They were 44 Special.

You most likely have an I frame, 32 Hand Ejector. Others will be along to fill in details.

Kevin

 

[murphydog]

If it has the serial number on the flat bottom of the grip frame (most likely, given the caliber stamping) it is a .32 Hand Ejector model of 1903. With the serial number on the front grip strap it would be a .32 Regulation Police.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! bamabiker has the dates for the .32 Hand Ejector, Model 1903, 2nd Change. These guns were originally introduced in 1896 to shoot the .32 S&W Long cartridge (CTG). It can shoot modern smokeless ammo without problems. Some pictures of your gun will help the experts provide more in-depth information. Please post some.