3" 32 Long Pre-Mod 30

[Nicksterdemus]

630711 3" barrel serration ramp front sight, serrated trigger all matching numbers including the two line stamp inside the right stock. Barrel/improved I frame N stamped sportin' 4 screws & an angled/tapered flat latch w/ear on the front. Smith & Wesson on the left side of barrel, 32 S. & W. Long on the right. The flat on the barrel rib, sides/front tip of ramp is a rough matte style finish.
Honest wear on the nickel a few rust spots coming through though no deep gouges/gashes. Gold monograms could use a cleaning. As well the stocks have turned dark from handling I suppose. The diamonds, checkering and border are well defined. Is it a '56 ship or could she have stretched her legs to '57?
ETA: Maybe 55-56.
589782 shipped July 1952, 600097 shipped Jan 1953, 637836 shipped 5/11/1956,

 

[Green Frog]

Nothing to add on ship date, but it looks like you have a winner there. The I-frame was the purpose-built 32 platform, so yours should be the perfect revolver for carrying the 32 S&W L round from box to firing the shot to hitting the target! The flat latch adds to its collector interest if not to its utility. I would be very conservative cleaning those stocks and monograms as they have patina to match the rest of the gun, which was apparently used but not abused. JMHO, of course, and YMMV.

Froggie

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Thanks. What I like first and foremost is that everything is as it came from the factory. Whilst some may refer to any calibre under the 38 spl as pipsqueak or mouse-gun this might have contributed unto this arm maintaining it's proper coiffe. The market is awash w/cannibalized shooters burdened w/some form of rubberized handle that I'll not dignify by referring to as anything save a grip. Stag, bone, MOP, ivory & aftermarket wood stocks notwithstanding as statement of preference along w/some faux/reproduction as any port in a storm shelter. Possibly being overlooked as not enough gun/obscure chambering was it's saving grace.

I doubt that I'll ever clean the old gal. At this juncture I wouldn't be entertained in tidying anything except possibly the monograms a wee bit. Then, as you so astutely pointed out, one must tread lightly. The dark stocks make for a pleasant contrast against the ole yeller glow of tarnished nickel. Enough of mediocre parry at waxing philosophically.

It appears that this 4 screw HE 32 transitioned when serrated triggers were plentiful, but perhaps 3.25" barrels were no longer available. According to SCSW 3rd ed,, the Model 30 used a smooth trigger w/serrated ramp front sight. I'm not sure if the half round blade sight was available in a 3" barrel though my Model 1903 .32 HE sports the 3.25" half round blade and a smooth trigger.

It's conceivable that this shipped in '55. At 5/11/1956 another .32 w/serrated trigger & 3" ramped serrated barrel also in nickel, per factory letter, shipped w/SN 7,125 difference higher than mine. Of course mine could have also shipped at that time or even later. W/o a letter who knows? Still, it's fun speculating. Perhaps others close in SN will respond.

I lifted a pic from another member's post showing his three .32 HE w/last being a Model 30. Along w/other changes it highlights the three different cylinder latches w/mine being the same as the middle arm. The latch on top is the same as my Model 1903 32 HE & Regulation Police in 38 S&W. I do not have anything w/mod 30 type flat latch, but I enjoy the flat on an angled w/an ear version. I think that latch covered postwar-model 30 w/32 HE/RP though I know of no proper name for the style. I'm sure there's some better moniker than my flat angled w/ear description. As well I've no doubt they used most of the existing inventory of the first type latch just as they surely did the same w/second style when changing over to the flat latch. They probably squirreled away a few for spares/repairs dependent on NOS at hand.

Another thing I note, besides the cylinder length, on the Model 30 is the trigger guard. Elongated as the center arm, yet flattened on the bottom. Here's a shot of my three amigos.

ETA: It seems all mine lacks being a mod 30 is a new style hammer, the third/flat cylinder release & being stamped mod-30. As I understand anyway.