Information on s&w 32 long ctg crome polished chrome revolver

Themis77 · May 1, 2022

Hello and good day or night to you.

I’m needing some information, history and value of this beautiful revolver?

I’m thinking based on some of my research that this is a 1917 (maybe) .32 Regulation Police revolver (pre-war)?
I attached a few pictures of it.

Thank you for any help given and have a great day.

Themis

steelslaver · May 1, 2022

If it is actually chrome it was done by someone other than the factory. They used Nickel. It may be a high condition nickle gun. The barrel length is uncommon.

Muley Gil · May 1, 2022

Welcome to the Forum.

There is a star in front of the serial number under the barrel. That usually indicates a trip back to the factory. Is there a date stamped on the left side grip frame under the grips?

Themis77 · May 1, 2022

Thank you to both.

I’ve not taken the grips off. I’m not sure if that would require any special tools?
I do have the box it came in from Smith & Wesson as well as even the paper it came with the smell of age and gun oil. The top of the box is dated August 1st 1977. I’m assuming that is when it was shipped to my grandpa.

gmarshall99 · May 1, 2022

This revolver is much older than 1977 Take + - 50 years off that date. A calibre would help.

Themis77 · May 1, 2022

Thank you. I will have to get that tool.

moosedog · May 1, 2022

That appears to be nickeled at the factory at some point. As mentioned, there may be a small date stamped on the frame under the grips as in this picture.

Pine_Worker · May 1, 2022

It appears to be a 1st model .32 hand ejector regulation police with 2nd target stocks. But what do I know?

Wiregrassguy · May 1, 2022

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! What is the serial number stamped on the front strap of the grip frame? Does it match the one under the barrel? The barrel number is too low for it to be a Regulation Police. It could be a .32 Hand Ejector with a barrel replacement and factory nickel finish. The only thing I see that calls that into question is the rebound slide stud is polished flat. Most factory refinishes I've seen leaves it proud. You have to take off the grips and post pictures of the left side of the grip frame. All you need is a small bladed screwdriver to remove the grip screw(s). By the time you do that, Jim (Hondo44) will be along and weigh in on your gun.

Themis77 · May 1, 2022

Left side number on frame under the grips

I attached two pictures.
One is left side of frame without the grips. Dated 10 77.
The other number is 3276 on the inside above where the bullets would go.
I’m not seeing anything matching in numbers.

Themis77 · May 1, 2022

Numbers matching

Wait I see what your saying Wiregrassguy the only number that matches is 3276. See attached. Well for some reason it will not let me attach the other picture showing the matching 3276.

Wiregrassguy · May 1, 2022

Your gun is a 32 hand ejector. It was refinished in nickel by the factory in October 1977. The numbers that you point to are assembly numbers. The serial number should be on the bottom of the butt frame. It would have been covered by the grips and may match the number under the barrel.

raljr1 · May 1, 2022

That R-N in a rectangle on the grip frame indicate a factory nickel plating done sometime after the original shipment. The 10-77 indicates the month and year the work was most likely done. Probably sent to your gpap in a new box so that's why the box has the 10/77 date on it...

Robert

Themis77 · May 1, 2022

Thank you very much to all of you for the help and information.

Green Frog · May 1, 2022

That is a beautifully refinished (at the factory most probably) I frame that first left the factory approximately 100 years ago. The 6" barrel was unusual at the time, and the target grips were a special order item. It would have normally come with a shorter barrel and a hard rubber grips that followed the profile of the frame.
My very first I frame about four decades ago was virtually the same gun only in the Regulation Police configuration with slightly different grips and the serial number on the front of the grip strap. Unfortunately, the finish on mine was magnitudes of quality worse than yours, and when I inquired about a factory refinish was told "no way" in no uncertain terms. Yours was probably one of the last I frames they ever did.
I'd be willing to bet yours will be a fun shooter... the longer barrel is less handy in a holster of course, but aiming is a lot easier with a long barrel.
Congratulations and welcome to the S&W Forum!
Froggie

Themis77 · May 1, 2022

Thank you very much. It is a beautiful piece for sure.
Just handling it feels light weight and fits perfectly in my hand.
Although I can feel the difference in weight from the barrels length when holding it like getting ready to shot it.
Looking very forward to shooting it.
Not sure of the value of it since it has been refurbished but it really don’t matter because holding it feels just right. Always responsible first.

delcrossv · May 1, 2022

As I don't see a B under the barrel, I suspect it was originally nickel, and then refinished nickel in '77.

Since it's a factory refinish, It'd be worth a good deal to the right buyer. Take good care of it. Keep it clean and lightly oiled with good gun oil.

Model19man · May 1, 2022

Looks worthy of a letter.

Hondo44 · May 2, 2022

Beautiful!

You have a ".32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 5th Change" which was likely built and shipped from S&W sometime in 1913. It was originally nickel plated at the factory when made. It's been re-nickel plated at the factory in 1977.

To know if the walnut target grips were originally ordered on it, look for a penciled serial # on the inside of the right side grip, that matches the serial # 157182 under the barrel and on the bottom of the grip frame.

No special tool is required to remove the grips; just use a screwdriver with a small flat tip that fits the two screw slots and unscrew them. If the grips won't come off, put the screws back in the holes and gently push them in without turning them to push off the right side grip. Note that the two screws are different lengths. The longer screw goes in the bottom hole.

Truckman · May 2, 2022

Hondo44 said:
Note that the two screws are different lengths. The longer screw goes in the bottom hole.

Just one more tidbit of info I would not have without this forum!...I have a few guns with these grips, but I think I habitually leave screws in the left panel when I remove them to avoid mismatching...

...Ben

Information on s&w 32 long ctg crome polished chrome revolver

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