Need help identifying this revolver. The S/n is 257xxx, .32 long ctg, hand ejector, it has a 4 inch barrel, 5 screws, a strain screw, and fixed sights.

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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! You might want to take another look at your serial number. It's a .32 Hand Ejector but your serial number is too low for the configuration I see. Perhaps 557xxx? That would make it early post-WWII.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

This number matches under the barrel, grip and on the wheel. I don't know any history of the gun.

Ah, your gun has gone back to S&W for repair. That's what the star at the end of the serial means. Look under the barrel for a star, diamond or O. That would indicate the barrel was replaced. Also, the date of the service is stamped on the left toe of the grip frame in MM.YY or M.YY format. Your serial number dates the frame to 1916 or 1917 but the extractor rod and barrel are newer.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Ah OK, I meant to mention the star in the first thread and forgot. I appreciate the help!

Carefully take the grips off and tell us the date of service...inquiring minds want to know...

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I took the grips off and found a few different numbers, and a b in a diamond. But nothing next to the number under the barrel.

They changed out the barrel and the extractor rod. The barrel is properly cut for the extractor rod knob. When your .32 HE was made the extractor rod was mushroom shaped and the cut under the barrel was a two-step configuration. Your barrel has the single cut and the barrel shaped extractor rod knob.

Here is a picture of one a little bit older than yours, with its original knob. This one shipped in March, 1916.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

My next question is how rare is it. Should I take it to the range or keep it in the safe? This is my first gun that I didn't buy new.

This is a gun S&W made and sold a lot of. Yours apparently went back to S&W for a replacement barrel at some point. It's not unusual for them to omit the date - it happened.

In any case it is not terribly valuable or rare. I would try taking it to the range.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Thank you everyone, I enjoy knowing the history of the revolver!

Incidentally, Hobey249, the work on your revolver was done after about 1927. That's when the knob was changed. The barrel shaped knob lasted until 1946. The change order came on October 4, 1946.

Welcome to the Forum. I hope you will stick around. There are lots of us here who have been collecting for a long time and are willing to share what we have learned. I personally started shooting S&W handguns in about 1960. I've been collecting them since the early 1970s, when I got back from my second year in SE Asia. It is a consuming hobby.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I know him, that’s Fred. I set him down somewhere years ago and forgot where. I will send you my address to send it back

OK, sarcasm over. Awesome .32 revolver! It is definitely a shooter, and usually freakishly accurate. Most difficult part is finding ammunition if you do not reload. Please do not shoot modern jacketed bullets through it. Try to find some 98 grain wadcutters. Lapua is awesome but expensive. Magtech loads them also. I don’t know enough about the Buffalo Bore load, but their other caliber offerings are known for being hot so personally I would avoid them for this reason in a 100+ year old revolver.

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SWCA #3929, SWHF #1010

Nice catch!
I’m thinking the 29 stamped on the grip may be a date, although usually the month and year are shown later the day as well. Otherwise it’s an inspector stamp but I don’t ever recall a 2 digit stamp. The barrel style extractor knob made its appearance in time for your barrel change. But I think you’ll find it measures 4 1/4”. If it’s 4” it was changed after WWII.

The B in the diamond stamp indicates it went back to the factory for reworking and a refinish in blue which is desirable as opposed to the work being done outside the factory.

You’ll find it very accurate and fun to shoot, but so will your wife, beware it may find a new owner……..

Way more than a 1/2 million were sold so shoot it as much as you like. It became the Model 30 in mid 1957 and was made until 1990.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

It's in great shape looks like. Smith made lots of those little i-frame hand ejectors. Not rare but very well crafted and most shoot to the fixed sights with 90-100gr ammo. Hope you can shoot it and enjoy it assuming you can find ammo. Hope you reload! You won't save money. You'll just shoot more...

Got the opportunity to shoot it yesterday. Fun little gun, shot well. Now just have to find more ammo.

Hobey249,
Where are you located? You’re reaching readers all over the country and perhaps one of us who is near you can make some suggestions. BTW, a 32 S&W Long and reloading go together like toast and jam. It’s not that expensive to get a basic set up and 32 brass lasts just a bit shy of forever. Welcome to the madness! If you do a search of my posts, a bunch are about my beloved 32s.
Green Frog