22/32 Hand Ejector 1922 only?

[Rifleman200-10X]

I've recently acquired a 22/32 HE in very nice shape. Was told it was a one year only, 1922 variant, prior years did not have the Made in USA on the frame, later ones had two screw grips. Serial is 384342.

 

[Muley Gil]

I've recently acquired a 22/32 HE in very nice shape. Was told it was a one year only, 1922 variant, prior years did not have the Made in USA on the frame, later ones had two screw grips. Serial is 384342.

Welcome to the Forum.

Your .22/32 was built after mid 1922, which is when the "MADE IN U.S.A." was first applied. I think your revolver is wearing Regulation Police grips. The larger two screw grips came out when this model was introduced in 1911.

Is there a star stamped near the serial number and are there any date stamps on the left grip frame, under the grips?

 

[bamabiker]

Welcome to the forum and that's a beauty.

 

[murphydog]

It's a nice gun and appears original...

But the "Made in U.S.A." rollmark was on 'all' S & W revolvers, with a pause after WW I until about 1922. At about that time the .22/32 revolvers had the small Regulation Police style stocks pictured, then before this time and later in the decade went back to the larger Target stocks with two screws.

 

[Green Frog]

Don’t get too hung up on whether the grips are “2 screw targets” or Regulation Police style. Both types were available over the manufacturing run of the HFT, sometimes both at the same time. IMHO, the RP style are preferable, especially if you aren’t concerned about “numbers matched” and fortunately for me, that’s what originally came on mine!

Froggie

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

It's pretty faint, but under a strong light, and my 3X readers, the stocks are numbered to to the gun in pecil.

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

Pencil....darn fat fingers

 

[DGNY]

Welcome, Rifleman200-10X, that is a mighty good looking 22/32! From its appearance, it would seem to be barely broken in.

I imagine that you will continue the very fine chain of custody which brought it to you - and that it will give you, should you wish it, years of excellent service for its intended purposes.

Congratulations to you on this handsome acquisition, and also for your very clear photographs.

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

And no, no date stamps or stars.

 

[SS336]

That’s beautiful! Very nice and all the other adjectives.
Welcome to the forum, great entrance.

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

Other than the slight browning if the forward oart if the topstrap and receiver ring, I'd say it's at least 90% of it's original finish. And if I told you the miniscule $$ I paid for it.....

 

[StrawHat]

Good deals are still out there to the patient purchaser.

Kevin

 

[john tyler]

That's great, Welcome to the forum !

 

[Hondo44]

That's a beauty in rare original condition! That serial # and features indicate your gun was most likely assembled and shipped not longer after August 1923.


• Prior to WW I, .22/32 Heavy Frame Target models were supplied with two screw extended target stocks as standard.

Above serial number ~258000 (right after WW I), the standard HFT stocks were replaced with Regulation Police stocks on a rebated grip frame, at first with recessed gold plated brass medallions in the late 'teens. Checkered two-screw extension target stocks with gold plated brass medallions in ‘dished’ stock circle tops were optional after WWI until 1920 on I frames, and w/o medallions) until change order 2/11/1929 reinstated medallions; flat silvers.

By ~1920 Reg Police stocks were changed to rounded, convex tops* w/o medallions. And then the two screw target stocks with convex stock tops and also w/o medallions were still optional** until they became standard again by order Aug. 29, 1923.

*All walnut stocks on all models have convex tops (not dished) from 1920 forward except for the much later “Classics” models.

** Target stocks on a rebated grip frame are a dead giveaway that they were likely special ordered during the period that RP stocks were standard on HFTs, or if the serial # doesn't match the gun, swapped aftermarket.


• One line “MADE IN USA” ordered in May 1922 but did not get stamped on new frames until sometime late 1922 –early 1923 once a new batch of frames was ordered for production, and because of all the existing unstamped frames already in process. It was in use until the April of 1948 change order to replace it with the 4 line address. And beware of 4 line addresses on factory re-finished revolvers; for awhile in the early 1970s, S&W was re-stamping the one line address with the 4 lines until Roy Jinks put a stop to it.


• Aug. 29, 1923 change order, replaced .22/32 HFT sq butt RP convex top stocks, returning to 2 screw target stocks as standard but with convex tops, and w/o medallions. And from the original Paine bead* front sight w/U-Notch to a Patridge w/square notch rear. The next day, the same was ordered for the 32 & 38 Target Models and the Single Shot Model as well, S&W 1857-1945 N&J pg. 235.

* Is a style designed by "Chevalier" Ira Paine, a renowned pistol shooter of the 1880s era.

 

[glowe]

I was just reading my notes about stock changes for the 22/32 HFT and now know where I got most of the information - from Jim's prior posts!

I have one 22/32 HFT, sn 360,573, with Regulation Police Stocks and it shipped in Feb 1923. Pictures to show the 1 and 2 screw stocks of that timeframe.

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

Many thanks to all for the info. I absolutely love fine old firearms of any make, and this one is a treasure that simply fell into my lap.