1968 Model 32-1, Almost Perfect

[NCBeagle]

Found this little Model 32-1 at a shop just outside Charlotte, NC today. It looks new from 4 feet away but very close inspection reveals that some goofy West Virginia law enforcement agency, court system, or the like, scratched "W. Va. 0208886" into the sideplate and backstrap. It's hard to see unless angled just right. I do not know the story but trying to learn. (Paging Lesb or other WV LEOs…)

Actually, the WV scratch probably sold the gun. I love WV. Graduated from WVU, have family in WV, and spent A LOT good time there. .38 S&W is not a good carry round, so we'll make this part of my daughter's collection.

Can anyone identify the scratched markings? Case number, evidence, etc? Is this model still called "Terrier" after the bump to J frame and Model number designation? This is Serial No. 1132XX EDIT: Somebody suggested that this could be a drivers license number. WV license numbers were 7 digits. Could be the case.

 

[JP@AK]

so we'll make this part of my daughter's collection.

If I recall correctly, your daughter is an SWCA member. So, what? She gets your castoffs?

 

[NCBeagle]

If I recall correctly, your daughter is an SWCA member. So, what? She gets your castoffs?

Ha. Not sure that I'd describe it that way. But, this gun's job is just to sit there and look pretty. That works for her, for now.

 

[m75rlg]

Could be a driver's license number. I remember back in the 1970's in North Carolina we used to encourage folks to engrave their driver's license number and state on "property" to aid in identification when we recovered property. The sheriff's department I worked at even loaned out electric engraving pencils so that they could do it. (That was at a time we used to run into a lot of rifles/shotguns that did not have serial numbers as they were manufactured prior to 1968.)

I have a couple rifles that my father did that on, and a black powder kit rifle I built that I stamped my OL# on a barrell flat.

If I remember the old NIC numbers (case numbers) they had a different format that included a 2 digit year, a dash, and then the assigned number folowed by a space and agency identifier.

 

[Truckman]

If I recall correctly, your daughter is an SWCA member. So, what? She gets your castoffs?

I'd like to add that I'm not only adoptable, but even housetrained......Ben

 

[NCBeagle]

Could be a driver's license number. I remember back in the 1970's in North Carolina we used to encourage folks to engrave their driver's license number and state on "property" to aid in identification when we recovered property. The sheriff's department I worked at even loaned out electric engraving pencils so that they could do it. (That was at a time we used to run into a lot of rifles/shotguns that did not have serial numbers as they were manufactured prior to 1968.)



I have a couple rifles that my father did that on, and a black powder kit rifle I built that I stamped my OL# on a barrell flat.



If I remember the old NIC numbers (case numbers) they had a different format that included a 2 digit year, a dash, and then the assigned number folowed by a space and agency identifier.

I am fairly certain that this is a WV drivers license number. Shared the photos with a friend / current WV State Trooper with 25 years experience. He said that it looks like an OLD DL number. He's only seen a few in the wild that were all numbers. He's not allowed to run it unless part of an investigation. So, I'll have to try other options.

m75rig, I have a 1969 Colt Agent, maybe its a Cobra (I forget) with a number like you describe in the topstrap. Bought it at a pawn shop in Robbins, NC quite a few years ago. Can I PM you the pic to see if you recognize it? If not, maybe I'll slip it into this thread. Okay, found it. Does this marking look familiar m75rig?

 

[Retired W4]

Take me home, country road. Nice revolver!!

 

[NCBeagle]

UPDATE: The seller from whom I purchased this Model 32-1 found a box from another 32-1 that likely shipped the same year. He sent it to me, along with an old empty box for a Model 38 Airweight. Very nice of him.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Potent ammunition is available for the .38 S&W; however, it is usually labeled .38 Colt New Police.

 

[Green Frog]

That 32-1 was pretty much the last of the breed. When they put the 38 S&W into a J frame, it lost the cachet of being "the smallest 38 S&W revolver" because it became just like the Chiefs Special, but less potent. I would be sort of attracted to it for no other reason than that.

Froggie

 

[TheHobbyist]

I know, I digress, but I like the Eames-style lounge chair as much or more. Very cool.

 

[NCBeagle]

Potent ammunition is available for the .38 S&W; however, it is usually labeled .38 Colt New Police.

Way ahead of you

 

[Jeppo]

I like the Eames-style lounge chair as much or more. Very cool.

I'll bet he'd no more have a non-Herman Miller replica than a Smith & Wesson clone.

 

[NCBeagle]

I know, I digress, but I like the Eames-style lounge chair as much or more. Very cool.

Hey, thanks. It's actually a real Herman Miller Eames chair. My office is sort of mid-century style…at least as much as my wife will allow. There's an Aarnio ball chair in there too.

The cat is not allowed on either chair but she is mean and knows that I am afraid of her. So, she does whatever she wants.

 

[handejector]

The cat is not allowed on either chair but she is mean and knows that I am afraid of her. So, she does whatever she wants.

Have you checked The Lounge for "Cat Gun" threads?

 

[ColbyBruce]

Way ahead of you

I have a Stetson hat box full of this stuff. I lucked out at an estate sale.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Found this little Model 32-1 at a shop just outside Charlotte, NC today. It looks new from 4 feet away but very close inspection reveals that some goofy West Virginia law enforcement agency, court system, or the like, scratched "W. Va. 0208886" into the sideplate and backstrap. It's hard to see unless angled just right. I do not know the story but trying to learn. (Paging Lesb or other WV LEOs…)


Can anyone identify the scratched markings? Case number, evidence, etc?

From my NC LEO experience. It is a WV Drivers License. The first digit is letter "O" followed by six numbers. O208886.

Just a goofy citizen who thought a S&W Serial Number was not good enough. Otherwise it's a handsome revolver. As a reloader I would love to load some rounds for it.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

… (I forget) with a number like you describe in the topstrap. Bought it at a pawn shop in Robbins, NC quite a few years ago. Can I PM you the pic to see if you recognize it? If not, maybe I'll slip it into this thread. Okay, found it. Does this marking look familiar …

That is a Case Number. "WMG" is the Deputy who Booked it as Evidence.

 

[raljr1]

We have a Raven 25 auto that has a case number on the barrel visble inside the ejector port.....

 

[NCBeagle]

That is a Case Number. "WMG" is the Deputy who Booked it as Evidence.

Thanks. If you don't mind, could you please explain how you know this? Is it a conventional format? Something specific to a particular department or region? Something that you recognize from professional experience? Is this something you can say with certainly, or is there a degree of speculation. The answer is probably more important that it should be, as I plan to chase any reliable leads to the corresponding agency or court paperwork, if available. Thanks.

EDIT - sorry, I see that your post above partially answered my questions. You have NC LEO experience. Do you think you could help me connect this to a particular incident, report, or case? if so, I'll PM you my contact info. Would appreciate any help in that regard.