you have a 32HE, 2nd model. it is the first iteration of the handejector with the thumblatch piece, and locking lug for the extractor rod. it is from the first 2 years of production, most likely from the first year, 1903. the earlier (first) hand ejectors (1896) were serial numbered similarly, but they didn't have the thumblatch on the side.
it is an interesting little gun! at first glance, i thought it had been renickeled, but the more i look at the pics, i think it may be original. i would just have to hold it in my hand and look it over carefully to decide. these guns don't tend to bring very high prices, but it does represent the first generation of "thumblatch" handejectors, which continue to today. the nickel finish is a little more rare than blue, too, i would say. where is the 6 digit number on the cylinder? the cylinder may have been replaced at some point. it should have the matching serial number to the butt. the gun is from the era before the cylinder was heat-treated, and someone may have had the cylinder replaced with one from a later gun, at some point. who knows?
it is a neat little 32. if the nickel appears to be original, and everything works correctly, i think it might bring 350.00. if the cylinder has been replaced, or the nickel has been redone, or it doesn't function right, i'd say 200.00ish.
on digging a little deeper, i think the 247862 serial range was STILL before the heat-treating, so the cylinder may have just replaced a damaged cylinder, even before they made the improvement. at any rate, i wouldn't shoot anything very potent out of it. i realize this sounds silly with the 32 cartridge! they are not much of a buffalo-stopper at any loading, but it pays to be careful with these older pre-heat-treat guns!
anyway, thanks for the pics, and a big welcome to the forum. i will warn you that s&ws can tend to become very addictive!
|
Linear Mode
