Hammerdown
Absent Comrade
Hello
While sitting at the gun show Tables of a friend last weekend, an older Gentleman walked up to us asking about some grip's we had lying there for sale. I noticed her had an Older Lear Sigler time span box tucked under his arm from the late 1980's-Early 1990's time span. I asked him what he had in his S&W box ? He said that he had brought an older S&W Air-Weight chambered in .32 H&R Magnum to sell, that he had Never fired.
I happen to Love the .32 H&R Magnum round, so I asked him if I could see it ? I Opened the box which read Double action revolver on it, and found a Mint factory fired only Model 632 Centennial Air-Weight lying there, wrapped up in Knox rust Paper. Under it was all of the guns Paperwork just the way it left the factory in 1991 as he told me he had bought it brand new back then. I then asked what he wanted for it, and he said that he had to get what he paid for it in 1991 which was $275.00.
I could not get the cash out fast enough to pay for this gun, as I had only seen one in Pictures up until this point. Long story short, he is without his Centennial and I now have a very unique gun. I learned that they only made 1035 of these in their total production life of 1991-1992 before they were discontinued. This was the Highlight of the show for me as these S&W J-Frame.32 H&R Magnum revolver's do not pop up often. I have had a model 331 Ti-Scan revolver in this caliber in the past as well as it's stainless version cousin being the 631 2" snub as well as the 4" Target sighted version. I am now carrying the latest discontinued model 431 P.D. chambered in .32 H&R Magnum that I have had about Six years now.
As I looked this gun over closer I see some very noticeable differences in it from my other S&W J-Model variations in .32 H&R Magnum. The barrel is a one piece stainless steel barrel with simply .32 Magnum stamped on it as well as the cylinder is made of Stainless steel. The frame is of Scandium-Aluminum but lacks any identity stamp's of it seen on other Scandiam-Aluminum models. For some strange reason, the guns serial number is Laser Machine etched on the bottom side of the top strap area as well as the butt of the gun ? The grip's are made by Uncle Mike, yet the Standard catalog of S&W say's these came with rosewood stocks ? I have found in other Gun Referance Publications that these did come with the Uncle Mikes rubber finger groove combat style stocks like this one has though, as my 431 P.D. came with Houges on it with the S&W Medallions stamped into them.
Oddly, the S&W Trade Mark stamps are different as one is stamped into the silver finish, yet on the other side of the gun one is Laser etched and highlighted in Black as shown. I was very Pleased to run across this gun and even more pleased when I heard of how few of them were made. It was a Nice addition to my other S&W .32 H&R Magnum caliber family, Too Bad they do not offer these anymore as I have had many ask about the caliber chambered in current S&W's offered at Previous gun shows, of which I have to tell them it is not available any more...
For those of you Interested in the .32 H&R Magnum caliber, here is the Rarely seen Model 632 Centennial Air-Weight revolver..
While sitting at the gun show Tables of a friend last weekend, an older Gentleman walked up to us asking about some grip's we had lying there for sale. I noticed her had an Older Lear Sigler time span box tucked under his arm from the late 1980's-Early 1990's time span. I asked him what he had in his S&W box ? He said that he had brought an older S&W Air-Weight chambered in .32 H&R Magnum to sell, that he had Never fired.
I happen to Love the .32 H&R Magnum round, so I asked him if I could see it ? I Opened the box which read Double action revolver on it, and found a Mint factory fired only Model 632 Centennial Air-Weight lying there, wrapped up in Knox rust Paper. Under it was all of the guns Paperwork just the way it left the factory in 1991 as he told me he had bought it brand new back then. I then asked what he wanted for it, and he said that he had to get what he paid for it in 1991 which was $275.00.I could not get the cash out fast enough to pay for this gun, as I had only seen one in Pictures up until this point. Long story short, he is without his Centennial and I now have a very unique gun. I learned that they only made 1035 of these in their total production life of 1991-1992 before they were discontinued. This was the Highlight of the show for me as these S&W J-Frame.32 H&R Magnum revolver's do not pop up often. I have had a model 331 Ti-Scan revolver in this caliber in the past as well as it's stainless version cousin being the 631 2" snub as well as the 4" Target sighted version. I am now carrying the latest discontinued model 431 P.D. chambered in .32 H&R Magnum that I have had about Six years now.
As I looked this gun over closer I see some very noticeable differences in it from my other S&W J-Model variations in .32 H&R Magnum. The barrel is a one piece stainless steel barrel with simply .32 Magnum stamped on it as well as the cylinder is made of Stainless steel. The frame is of Scandium-Aluminum but lacks any identity stamp's of it seen on other Scandiam-Aluminum models. For some strange reason, the guns serial number is Laser Machine etched on the bottom side of the top strap area as well as the butt of the gun ? The grip's are made by Uncle Mike, yet the Standard catalog of S&W say's these came with rosewood stocks ? I have found in other Gun Referance Publications that these did come with the Uncle Mikes rubber finger groove combat style stocks like this one has though, as my 431 P.D. came with Houges on it with the S&W Medallions stamped into them.
Oddly, the S&W Trade Mark stamps are different as one is stamped into the silver finish, yet on the other side of the gun one is Laser etched and highlighted in Black as shown. I was very Pleased to run across this gun and even more pleased when I heard of how few of them were made. It was a Nice addition to my other S&W .32 H&R Magnum caliber family, Too Bad they do not offer these anymore as I have had many ask about the caliber chambered in current S&W's offered at Previous gun shows, of which I have to tell them it is not available any more...
For those of you Interested in the .32 H&R Magnum caliber, here is the Rarely seen Model 632 Centennial Air-Weight revolver..
The .32 H&R magnum and .32 S&W long are my favorite cartridges, and as you say they seem to have become more popular lately. I think S&W is missing the boat by not producing a K frame in .327 Federal, which of course would fire all 3 rounds.
Its not unfired, but it only looks like its had maybe 5-700 rounds put throught it. Any info is much apperaciated! Cheers ALL....
