Found a Model 30 Today!

[august1410]

Wandered into a local gun show this morning with low expectations.

Came home with this.

3” Nickel Model 30 (no dash)
All original. Stocks are numbered to the revolver.

Serial puts it, I think, late 1959.
S/N 6928xx

Haven’t found a decent thing at any of the local shows and I all but stumble into this one.

 

[Spurdann]

I have had worse experiences at shows. Now shoot it.

 

[august1410]

I have had worse experiences at shows. Now shoot it.

I plan on shooting it very soon!

 

[Green Frog]

That’s a real sweetheart. The nickel looks very well preserved for its age an it’s one of te last I frame 32s. What’s not to love? Great find!

 

[Lance Boyle]

Nice find!

That reminds me I need to check on a shop that said he had an old .32 but did not have enough detail in his log to say exactly what model. He at the time didn’t even know where it was in the store room. I was hoping it was a .32-20 or .32 Long.

You’ll find that to be a pleasant shooter!

 

[august1410]

Gonna give a call to Smith & Wesson later today to determine whether it’s a late ‘59 or early ‘60 model. I’ll be sure to update the thread.

 

[august1410]

Well, customer service did their best, but couldn’t determine. I’m pretty sure it’s a late 1959 from what I have been finding online. I’ll keep assuming that until I know something concrete. I’ve already got one letter request out for another revolver and I think my wife would be a little peeved if I requested another in short order! If there was anyone who could shed some light on whether it’s a ‘59 or ‘60, it would be appreciated.

 

[45NUTT]

Nice find. Was it a good price or hopefully, underpriced? I would like one of those myself.

 

[august1410]

Nice find. Was it a good price or hopefully, underpriced? I would like one of those myself.

It was par for the course. I didn’t feel like I got robbed. What sold it was the condition

 

[ColbyBruce]

You have made a huge mistake. .32’s are more addictive than alcohol or drugs. In six or eight weeks you will be posting photos of your second or third .32 handgun.

Buffalo Bore makes a stout .32 New Police load if you want to carry that gun.

 

[august1410]

You have made a huge mistake. .32’s are more addictive than alcohol or drugs. In six or eight weeks you will be posting photos of your second or third .32 handgun.

Buffalo Bore makes a stout .32 New Police load if you want to carry that gun.

I have made many similar mistakes. Thankfully, my wife just shakes her head at me now.

 

[45NUTT]

Case in point:



Plus:




And:

 

[robertrwalsh]

Major score. Congrats.

 

[Outpost75]

You have a great field pistol which is more effective than any .22 Rimfire. The fixed sights will shoot on with a 98-100 grain bullet. A great general purpose load is to load either the RCBS 32-98SWC or Saeco #325 with 2.5 grains of Bullseye. This is a bit hotter than factory loads but within safe design limits for constant steady use which will not loosen up the gun.

Maximum safe load is the .312" diameter 85-grain Hornady XTP with 3 grains of Bullseye which in Remington cases with CCI500 primer at 1.175" overall cartridge length gives 890 fps from a 3-inch revolver with 0.005" cylinder gap at 16,800 psi, as measured via strain gage and Oehler M43PBL. Treat like +P not to be exceeded.

 

[august1410]

Is there anyone that can tell whether it’s a ‘59 or ‘60? I’ve spent most of the day chasing down close serial numbers and my brain is soup. I’ve got the 4th Ed. SCSW and even called S&W. The young lady at S&W was fantastic, but could not find out.

My enquiring mind wants to know.

 

[duke2002]

I gave my oldest daughter a 3 in hand ejecter in 32. She loves to shoot it. I been looking at 30's their nice guns shoot good and are not that pricy.

 

[oldcorps76]

I found one in a Nebraska gun show in the early 80's, a prewar Regulation Police with a 4" barrel. That went into the glove box of my wife's VW Rabbit when she had to travel 30 miles up the NJ Turnpike every day into the sh*thole heart of Newark to finish her degree at Seton Hall. Given New Jersey's gun laws then and now, it was real case of "tried by 12 rather than be carried by 6."

 

[smith17]

Have one that is about 450 numerals before yours that is Jan '60.

 

[august1410]

Have one that is about 450 numerals before yours that is Jan '60.

Excellent! Thank you so very much.

 

[august1410]

I imagine, with the information provided by @smith17, we can safely say this is an early 1960 example.