Hi! I have just purchased my first smith & wesson! It is an older 32. can anyone help me determine when this gun was made. This is what markings and serial number is on the pistol. 32 Long CTG serial # is 326XXX, this # is found on the cylinder, the bottom of the barrel, and when you remove the grips it is on the frame as well. On the top of the barrel are these patent dates; Feb. 8, 1908, Sept. 14, 1909, & Dec. 29, 1914.....It has a pinned barrel, S&W trademark just in front of grip on the left side. The right side cover has four screws, and plus one that holds the two piece handle. When I fold out the cylinder it is stamped in two places the number 43598. Perfect size revolver for a woman. If anyone could give me a time frame as to when this gun was made I would surely appreciate it. Or any other info about it. Not concerned about the value, I love the gun! Not wanting to sell, just get some info. Thanks

I don't know much about the early 32s but I thought I would say hi and bump this back up to the top for you. I'm sure that a real expert will be along directly.

Sounds like a cool gun and welcome to the forum.

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No life story has happy end.

I'm not an expert on these either, but I'll take a shot.
It sounds like a .32 Hand Ejector Third Model. The serial numbers for those start at 263,001 in 1911 and go to 536,684 in 1942. Sorry I can't get any closer. Post a picture if you can, we'd love to see it.
Welcome to the Forum from Iowa.
Jim

Welcome to the Forum. Based on the serial number, the gun is a .32 hand Ejector. 3rd model, as said by P&R Fan above. Close serial numbers were shipped in 1920. Actually the gun is a "5 screw" model to collector. as the 5th screw is the one in the front of the frame below the barrel. The 43598 number is the work/assembly number used to keep parts together during manufacturing and has no relation to the serial number. You say you had to remove the grips to see the serial number, so you must have the target style grips that cover the butt of the frame. They would be an additional accessory and may, or may not, have been on the gun when it was shipped from S&W. Your gun has the heat treated cylinder and would be safe to shoot with smokeless ammunition, if it's in good mechanical condition. Congrats on your first S&W - now you will soon become addicted! Ed.

Greetings from the Oregon Coast!

I think you'll find this to be the most intelligent and polite gun forum on the internet.

I only have limited knowledge about your particular handgun, but there are many true experts here who will be pleased to help.

hey guys! Thanks a bushel... I am so grateful for all the info, I will post a pic soon so you can see why I bought it....It's pretty! Thanks again for being so polite and helpful.

Welcome from Texas scarlett. Great forum for all things S&W, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Welcome to all things S&W Scarlet. You will find this forum the most helpful you have ever been associated with.
Mike

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Welcome, Scarlett. You are right about the size. A revolver like yours served my 5' 0" grandmother and 5'2" mother just fine.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Hi there Scarlett, and welcome to the Forum from another I-frame 32 lover. As a male though, I wish you would be a little more careful about references about it being sized for a woman... I threatened to hit the last guy who said that with my purse!

A quick question about the location of the SN on your grip frame... is it on the front strap or the bottom? If the number is on the bottom, it probably is a regular "round butt" grip frame, if on the front, there is probably a slight rebate on the back for the special grips that were used on the Regulation Police Models to convert them to a larger "square butt" configuration. Any grips that cover up the serial numbers are likely to be non-factory, but that just means somebody probably wanted to make it fit their hand better. There have been several discussion threads on this forum lately about grip variations and possibilities, and as you get familiar with us, you will probably look over them... the 22/32 or Bekeart has basically the same grip frame and same possibilities.

Anyway, I think you will enjoy shooting it; I know I do mine! Please stop by here often, join in the conversations, and let us know what you are doing with your I-frame, since so many of the rest of us are enjoying them too.

Regards,
Green Frog

PS A word of warning, the I-frames (and S&Ws in general) tend to be addictive! )

o.k., here are the pictures of my gun. Inside the grip, it says Sports Inc. Franzite Chicago and it says RPo 38 and there is also a star. What type of ammunition do you all suggest I use? Now, what do you think of her? I thought she was pretty! Was I right? The grip feels great, and I really am pleased. You can still feel the texture and there isn't any pitting. Any other info will be appreciated. This is cool....

Attached Images

	32 smith & wesson 004.jpg (161.2 KB, 135 views)
	32 smith & wesson 005.jpg (155.1 KB, 134 views)

Very nice. Franzite was a company that made plastic stocks for various guns, and the "RPo 38" indicates these were made to fit a .38 Regulation Police, a gun similar to yours but a 5-shot .38 S & W. Yours will use .32 S & W Long, which is still available in larger sporting goods stores or online in 98 grain round nose lead (RNL) or wadcutter (WC). These are loaded to low pressures because many older guns (not necessarily S & Ws) can chamber this round. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Green Frog, SN is on the bottom. Behind the grips stamped in various locations on the frame are the numbers 67, 655, 11, what appears to be a square, the letters B and E. Any idea what this means? Trust me, I know nothing about this gun except she's pretty! What would have been a too high price for this gun? I need to figure out if I got ripped off or not? Thanks again for all the help and laughs...you all are appreciated.

Scarlett, it's hard to tell from the pix, but if it has that much original blue, even with the aftermarket grips, it is a desirable piece. In fact, lately, the prices on the I-frames have begun to climb as more interest in them has developed, and guys who never even heard of an I-frame before a year ago are acting like their lives won't be complete until they get one. Irrational, I'll admit, but gun collectors aren't supposed to be totally rational anyway. With original blue and if the grips were original, I'm seeing prices ranging from $300 or so for a very lucky buy to as much as $500-600 or more if a couple of people are bidding on it. If it suits you, what you paid for it is only marginally important, just so you could afford it and are happy with it!

Somebody else will have to decode all the numbers and letters for you, but the B probably stands for an originally blued gun, and the 655 could mean a factory refurbish in June of 1955, but I would have to see where and how it is stamped to really tell anything.

Those Franzite grips may become an issue, depending on what you decide to do with the gun. They have a tendency to shrink, warp, crack, etc in heavy use or when exposed to gun cleaning solvents and oils. Just be aware of that and sort of baby them and you should be fine. The originals were probably either black hard rubber with moulded checkering and monogram, or walnut with checkering. They would have just followed the steel outline of the grip frame and been smaller and less hand filling, so that's probably why they were replaced.

As for ammo, any currently loaded factory ammo should be safe to fire in it, assuming it is in as good condition as it appears, but I would suggest having a qualified gunsmith look it over before shooting it. I like light reloads in my 32s, but that's another post entirely.

Again, congratulations on your find and welcome to the party!

Froggie

Hello Scarlett
Welcome to the forum and thanks for joining us. As others have written, this really is a delightful place to hang out on line.
I enjoyed looking at your I frame Smith. I am amazed at the condition of the blue and am wondering if this gun didn't get sent in for a new blue job at some time in its life (like, maybe, the summer of 1955). The pictures just don't show enough to know whether the blue is all original or not.
In any case, I will agree with you completely - this is a very pretty gun, one that I would be perfectly happy to place on a shelf in my safe. Congratulations on acquiring such a nice example for your first Smith & Wesson.
Do keep the cleaning fluids completely away from those Franzite grips. Froggie's warning is to be heeded if you want them to continue to look like they do.
Go get some .32 S&W Long ammo and invite your new friend to the range for a workout. I'm sure you will enjoy shooting her.
Regards,
JP

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Evening Miss Scarlett. I was just looking through the Grafs catalog and the 32 S&W long is still very much alive today. They do have a website if you are interested. Google is your friend. Nice little revolver. Enjoy, Frank

Welcome to the forum Scarlett! That is one pretty little I frame you found there, and it should bring years of enjoyment! PLEASE shoot and enjoy it! They are meant to be shot!

PS - stay away from N frames - they are a joy to own and shoot, but may result in marital distress!

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Even older, even crankier....

scarlett, nice looking 32! Much better grips than the
32 Hand Ejector.
In the condition yours is in, it's the equal of modern guns as to fit and finish, and Way lower cost. That kind of craftsmanship is very
costly these days, Besides, if it works for you, any price is Okay.
TACC1

Welcome from Mid MISSOURI! Nice 32!

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Aim small miss small

Welcome to the Forum. .32's are such fun guns. They are so nice and petite and fit into your hand so well. They do come in all different sizes.









This last one is actually a 38 Regulation Police, but still an I Frame.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Scarlett, H Richard beat me to it... look at the last picture in his post and you will see the inspiration for the grips your gun is wearing. The one above shows the grips that probably came on it, or the same shape but in walnut. The ones that fit your hand best will be the ones that are best for you, of course, and if those Franzites fit your hand, so much the better!

We enthusiasts tend to jump ahead and assume that folks have knowledge they would have no reason to have, so let me say a few things about ammo. Your revolver is chambered for the 32 S&W Long cartridge, which was originally loaded over a century ago with black powder and a round nosed lead bullet. Then and now it could also chamber and shoot the so-called 32 S&W "Short" which was the originally loaded round and is about a quarter inch shorter but otherwise pretty much the same. These are catalogued simply as 32 S&W cartridges.

Currently you will find factory 32 S&W Long loaded with smokeless powder, and lead alloy bullets with round noses like the earlier days, or with cylindrical bullets seated flush with the mouth of the case and showing just a little bump of lead (and called "wad cutters" for the nice holes they cut in paper targets) and the more modern bullets with full or partial jackets of copper. I would strongly suggest that the lead round nose or wadcutters be used both from a price standpoint and for barrel wear. I'm sure you will find them mild and pleasant to shoot, and any factory spec loads available today are loaded to safe levels for your gun in good condition.

I hope this has been helpful rather than boring to you, and please feel free to ask any questions you wish.

Regards,
Froggie

Again, Thanks for the information and pictures! All of the information has just eased the pain of my decision. You see, I saw the gun a few weeks back and walked away.....kept thinking.....decided to drive 240 miles round trip to get it before it got away for $300.00! I did this not knowing anything about it other than it was pretty, not pitted and the blackest finish I had ever seen. She was just pretty! Happy to know that I didn't get ripped off, and that it is a desirable little gun. Why is there such an interest in the I frames now? Like I said,"I have no intention of selling it!" I do like the gun and really like the way it fits my hand. I wish I knew the history of the gun, but do not know the seller personally. But, I am glad that I saw it, and I am glad I made the trip to go back and get her! Kinda crazy, but you just know when you see something if it is you or not. You know what I mean? Thanks for the pictures H Richard, they were a big help. Nice to see what would have came on her, but I prefer the grips she has over the original. Nice pictures again. Thanks. Guys thanks again for the information and any updates will be appreciated. This forum is addictive, I would rather check it than my email. Gotta get supper rolling or the family will trade me in.........HA!

Scarlett, saw one of those little "I" frame revolvers at a local gun show. I'm used to the "K" frame size. Looks perfect and I think you did very well. The one I saw was priced at $300 as well. Frank

Welcome to the forum from West Virginia. That is a very nice looking old Smith & Wesson, and I think you did well with the price. It should give you years of enjoyment.

Josh P

Hi Jack,
I have no knowledge of guns, but after talking to you guys and just browsing the internet, I think it would have had to have had something done at some point in its life, because it is so pretty. I don't know if it was sent for a refinish, or if someone did it. I just don't know......would SW have records on it if it had been sent back to them? Thanks

Guys, is there ever a meet for SW? Especially one for my gun? Good night to you all.

Well you dont indicate what part of the US you are in but there is a bunch of us that meet at the Tulsa OK gun show twice a year, and if you are a member of the SWCA there is the annual meeting as well.

Thanks, and a Kentucky girl!

Welcome to the forum Scarlett.
Very nice .32 indeed. If it was reblued, it was done very nicely without over buffing.
It would look equally well with stag grips.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

You can send for a factory letter on it. I think it costs about $50.
Glad you like it here, stick around and I'll bet you'll learn a lot more. Feel free to ask as many questions as you want, the price is certainly right.
Jim