.32 long S&W - Collectability & Value?

VaTom · Dec 16, 2016

Today I stopped in a local Pawn Shop which I had never visited before and found an interesting .32 S&W revolver. Didn't take a picture but will describe. Need advice on whether to consider making an offer on it and how much.

.32 Long S&W
Blued - about 85% remaining. Not pitting.
4"inch Barrel.
Round Butt
Diamond walnut grips with no medallion (assuming original)
Mushroom knob on end of ejector rod.
Serial Numbers on Barrel, Cylinder, and Front strap of frame (not butt) all matching
Older style machining on hammer
Patent dates on top of barrel
5 digit serial number if I recall correctly.

I am not a .32 revolver guy but this revolver looked like it needed a home. I am assuming it is from the 1920's due to grips and mushroom knob.

Worth picking up? and at what price?

Thanks

VaTom

Hondo44 · Dec 16, 2016

I'd go $300.

Normally I'd say it's a ".32 Regulation Police" with the s/n on the front grip strap; i.e., round but grip frame with rebate cut out of the back strap and extended walnut sq butt grips with no medallions, from the 1920s like this:

However, a five digit s/n won't compute for an RP, they began at ~#258000 in 1917.

Are you sure about the 5 digit #?

If it's truly a 5 digit # it's much earlier and the grips are replacements. Check the back of the right grip for a penciled s/n matching the gun.

A 5 digit # would make it a .32 Hand Ejector Model 1896 thru Model of 1903 - 4th Change up to 1910.

It could have the serial # on the front grip strap because it originally came with these Gutta Percha hard rubber Target grips:

les.b · Dec 16, 2016

Sounds like a .32 hand ejector, built on the I frame. I have a number of these wonderful little gems. I agree with Jim's value... (and he is a genuine expert on these...see his write-up in the 4th edition of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson).

The .32 S&W Long cartridge is a wonderful little shooting number, and has been used in international shooting competitions for the last hundred + years. Light recoil, very accurate.

The only danger you will encounter from adding this little gem to your collection is that it is habit forming, and you will soon need to find more. If you reload, you can put loads together for very little investment.

Let us know if you get it, and be sure to post pictures!!

Best Regards, Les

VaTom · Dec 17, 2016

Thanks guys. It looks exactly like the one in Hondo44 first picture.

Could be mistaken about the 5 digit serial number and round butt. The serial numbers are small and the lights in the shop weren't so good. It is really tight. Probably carried more than shot. Intend to go back today and take a closer look - didn't want to show too much interest yesterday!!

If I recall the grips had some kind of number (maybe a patent date) on them.

Muley Gil · Dec 17, 2016

If the serial number is on the front strap and the grips have a 1917 patent number, you are looking at a Regulation Police revolver.

glowe · Dec 17, 2016

Muley Gil said:
If the serial number is on the front strap and the grips have a 1917 patent number, you are looking at a Regulation Police revolver.

. . . with a notched butt-frame. Also, Roy Jinks book states that the 32 RP started in the 263,000 serial number range, but there may well have been earlier examples as Jim states.

Added: You are asking us what the value is, but I would be curious what the LGS has for a price? Photos below of a 311XXX RP from a similar era.

Wiregrassguy · Dec 17, 2016

Here are a couple of .32's from that era. First is the .32 Hand Ejector.

wiregrassguy-albums-small-frame-revolvers-picture12427-32heleft2.jpg

Then, the .32 Regulation Police.

wiregrassguy-albums-small-frame-revolvers-picture11932-regpolice8-1924-a.jpg

These guns sell in the $200-400 range in my area. They are fun guns to shoot.

glowe · Dec 17, 2016

Wiregrassguy said:
. . . These guns sell in the $200-400 range in my area. They are fun guns to shoot.

Right on the mark. My nickel gun cost me $300 last year. Value is low on this model, but high condition 32 HEs like mine and Guy's are getting really tough to find.

Hondo44 · Dec 17, 2016

VaTom said:
If I recall the grips had some kind of number (maybe a patent date) on them.

Yes, that would be the patent # for the grip shape and rebated back strap as shown in glowe's post above.

Later production of the RP grips dropped the patent date.

Very early production were stamped with "Patent Pending" only.

bill-in-texas · Dec 17, 2016

Now, I too am curious about the .32 HE. I haven't handled one but, I'd sure like to come across one.
At the high end of the range, what might one expect to pay for a pristine example, in the box (generally speaking)?
Is finding one unheard of for a 90 year old S&W?

glowe · Dec 17, 2016

Not sure what you are asking, since there are examples with valuations just above. If you are looking to buy one with an original numbered box, it will be tough. 32 HE boxes are out there and sell for under $100, but matching guns with original boxes are scarce and near impossible to find. Value might be $500 max.

The revolvers regularly are listed on just about every online gun auction conducted around the country and eBay often has 32 boxes. Condition varies, so depends on what quality you are looking for. They were made from 1896 into the 1970s with the Model 30. C & R era guns are plentiful, with over 650,000 made before the Model 30 came out in 1958.

Hondo44 · Dec 17, 2016

The older it is and the nicer it is, the higher the price.

Only 19,000 plus were made of the original Model of 1896. And they're the scarcest in top condition. They can be in the $1000 range especially with factor premium grips like Mother Of Pearl or ivory. More for an even scarcer target model with adjustable sights. The price drops from there.

VaTom · Dec 18, 2016

Great information as always. Within two days I have been able to get a good education on the S&W .32 revolvers !! Very helpful. If I can work a deal in the next day or so on the .32 RP I saw last Friday I will post pictures.

Thanks!

.32 long S&W - Collectability & Value?

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