S & W hand ejector I frame?

[dnikolaisen]

Hey Guys, how are yall?
I have this s&w hand ejector pistol I acquired recently and I am trying to find out a date of manufacture and correct model name.
Can any of you help with this.
As you can see in the pictures this little revolver has not seen alot of love in the last 50 years or so.
Thank you much and have a great day,

[Hondo44]

Welcome to this forum.

Would you believe the last 100 plus years!

You have a ".32 Hand Ejector - Model of 1903 (2nd Model)" made from 1903 to 1904. Likely made the first year with such a low 4 digit #.

HISTORY:

The .32 Hand Ejector with round butt and its cartridge, the 32 S&W Long are both historical. The .32 HE is the first side swing out cylinder produced by S&W, built on the first I size frame, and introduced as the 1896 Model (1st Model) along with its new cartridge.

During the 32’s early period of production it's normal for all frame sizes, I, K & N to not have the TG screw. Including the 1st Model 32 hand Ejector, Model of 1896 and even the very earliest of N frames, the 1st Model 44 Spl also known as the triple lock.

It went thru several evolutionary changes until it became the 32 HE 3rd model in 1917 when a sq butt version, most common barrel length is the 4 1/4", was introduced as the 32 Regulation Police beginning at ~ #258001 in the same serial range as the 32 HE.

Target models with adjustable rear sights were available with 6" barrels as well as very rare 4 1/4" barrels (including 196 with 4" barrels in 1957), and with 2 screw extended target stocks.

By 1920 the cyls received a heat treatment for additional strength as did all S&W revolvers.

The 3rd Model had the 2nd type hammer safety block change ordered in 1925 to WW II.

Both were reintroduced after WW II in identical form except for the change to the much more fool proof post war sliding bar safety. They went thru more evolution in the 1950's, and in 1957 became the Model 30 w/round butt and the Model 31 w/square butt, and finally in 1961 were upgraded to the slightly longer J size frame which added -1 to the model #s.

Eventually both versions were combined as just the Model 31 in 1976, until discontinued in 1991. Various iterations were later introduced using the 32 H&R Mag and/or the 327 Fed Mag, both of which still use the 32 Long as well.

Any currently available 32 Long ammo in standard loadings is perfectly safe to shoot in your 32. You’ll be happy with its accuracy and light recoil.