S&W 32 Long

Retrofitter · #1 02-28-2012, 10:43 AM

I acquired this S&W from my mother in law and don't know anything about it. It seems to be very tight and I have only cleaned it. Any information about it will be appreciated.
Does it have any value and if so what would be a good price.
Thanks,
Tom

glowe · #2 02-28-2012, 01:38 PM

Welcome to the Forum Tom - If you can supply the serial number, someone can comment in detail about your 32 Long.

H Richard · #3 02-28-2012, 01:39 PM

That should be a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 2nd Model. But, there are 5 variations of this model, and without the S/N I can't determine which one it is. They were mfg. between 1903 and about 1917. The condition would probably be considered "Fair" or possibly "Good", and the value would be between about $100 and $300 depending on the mechanical condition, bore, etc. It would have value as a shooter.

Retrofitter · #4 02-28-2012, 02:12 PM

Thanks for the replies.
The S/N is 281547

glowe · #5 02-28-2012, 02:27 PM

With your serial number, I think you have a .32 HE, 3rd Model. These are classified as an I Frame gun and yours was probably shipped somewhere around 1920. There are no guarentees with S&Ws, since the 2nd and 3rd models probably overlapped some. Publications state that the 2nd Model ended with a serial number of 263,000.

The 3rd Model was made from 1911 to 1940, with over 200,000 total manufacture. Condition is problematic - there is a large amount of original finish remaing, but lots of pin-point rust showing. This will clean up with some work, but not a true collector gun. I would say that the value would range from $300 to $400 in its current condition.

Retrofitter · #6 02-28-2012, 02:45 PM

Thanks glowe. Now if I can find someone to buy it. I have no desire to keep it. I like more modern guns and larger calibers.
Tom

walnutred · #7 02-28-2012, 03:06 PM

You could list it here or on one of the auction sites. Though I think if you're planning of getting much more than $200 for it you will have to use "creative writing" like many of the e-sellers do. If you watch the auctions you will find a lotof I frames in that condition with closing bids in the $150-$200 range.

Retrofitter · #8 02-28-2012, 03:47 PM

I would be happy with $200. I have my newly acquired FFL C&R license. I have been trying to determine if this gun fits the C&R profile. I have looked in the listings supplied with my license but can find this model. It does fit the older than 50 years profile according to the dates supplied by previous post per the s/n.
I'm still learning the rules and am not sure if I can ship or not.

glowe · #9 02-28-2012, 04:16 PM

I would not short change the value. I have not seen a 32 Long go for $200 for some time now. Just checked Gunbroker for sold 32 Longs and found about 20 sold in the last few months and the lowest price was $215 and the highest selling price was $399.

Here are the 2 for those prices.

Retrofitter · #10 02-28-2012, 08:40 PM

I have noticed that most of the 32HE on the forum have the S&W logo, mine does not have one. What does this indicate?

Hondo44 · #11 02-29-2012, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrofitter

I have noticed that most of the 32HE on the forum have the S&W logo, mine does not have one. What does this indicate?

Most likely nothing, it was just missed at the factory. It might have indicated an old refinish but not in this case. It does not have any refinish indicators to my eyes.

glowe · #12 02-29-2012, 10:32 AM

An earlier post had an expert comment about the absence of the S&W logo. Our administrator, Handejector, had posted the following:

I believe the years for "No-Logo" guns is 1917-1920/21.

We see large logos on the Brit contract 455's thru late 1916. We see logos on the large batch of 455 TL's built in late 1916 to clean up parts and sold commercially.
Production started on the 1917 in March,17, and they have no logos. S&W was constantly hounded for more production by the Gov't. Eventually, using the possibility of Bolshevik inspired labor problems, the Gov't seized the factory in Aug, 18. The machine for rolling logos had long been inactive by then, and POSSIBLY converted to some other use or pushed into a corner and buried. S&W does not get control again till Jan, 1919. We see little and slow production thru most of 1919. It gets better in 1920. Guns shipped in 1919 and 1920 usually lack logos. Some guns shipped in 1921 MAY lack them.
__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

H Richard · #13 02-29-2012, 12:26 PM

Regarding the C&R status, it definitely meets C&R criteria. The correct interpretation is any firearm that is more than 50 years old. There are also other criteria, such as certain guns specifically listed that are not 50 years old yet, but have been declared C&R per their rarity (such as Model 16's, but not including the 16-4), or were manufactured specifically for the collector market and have been approved byu the BATF.

Green Frog · #14 02-29-2012, 04:33 PM

If the grips are as nice as they look, they are a significant portion of the gun's value. Other than that, you have a potentially satisfactory knock around gun that would be great in a truck, boat or camp situation, in short, a good companion piece. If it doesn't have a "family connection" you are in the right ball park (IMHO) on price if you really want to go ahead and move it. Oh yeah, and welcome to the forum from me too!

Regards,
Froggie