.32 Hand Ejector date of manufacture and rough value?

[Born2saw]

Picked this up at a local auction. .32 Hand Ejector Third Model? SN 330903. .32 S&W Long. One source say 1917- 1942, another place in my SCS&W 3rd Edition says 1911-1942. Would love to pin the date down better.

Thanks!

Right stock is missing a piece.

 

[H Richard]

Looks like a 32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 1st Change. Mfg 1904 - 1906 is S/N range of 19,426 to 51,126. I would put it in the Very Good + condition (from the pictures) and est value in the $500 - $700 range. Depending on the operational capacity, (Does it fully function?).

 

[Born2saw]

Looks like a 32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 1st Change. Mfg 1904 - 1906 is S/N range of 19,426 to 51,126. I would put it in the Very Good + condition (from the pictures) and est value in the $500 - $700 range. Depending on the operational capacity, (Does it fully function?).

Lock up is tight with good timing, smooth action, pretty decent bore. A friend is making up some light loads with some starline brass he has and he casts his own .32 bullets. If test firing goes well will get some commercial .32 s&w but will stick with the shorts although this is chambered in .32 long. What makes you think its 1st change vs 3rd? I thought the first did not have a thumb cylinder release.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I'm a little confused as to how a revolver with an SN of 330903 fits into a category with an SN range of 19426 to 51126.

 

[JP@AK]

It is a .32 HE Third Model from the 1920s. H Richard failed to count the digits in your serial number (6 digits, not five). The production period listed for this iteration in the SCSW is 1919 to 1942 (more likely production ended in 1940 or 1941, due to the effort to address wartime demands in Great Britain).

I thought the first did not have a thumb cylinder release.

That would be the First Model (AKA Model of 1896). The Model of 1903 introduced the front locking lug.

Your example appears to have been refinished. It's probably a good shooter.

 

[erikpolcrack]

IIRC the Model of 1899 introduced the thumb cylinder release. It looked just like the later M&Ps but didn't have the front locking lug below the barrel.

 

[Born2saw]

I found this article:

The 1903 S&W .32 Hand Ejector

And mine matches the S&W Model 1903, Sixth Change (Third Model Hand Ejector). It has the side plate mounted hammer block and the inscription matches the one in the article.

Also, according to this article "
Beginning in May of 1922, all Smith & Wesson revolvers were stamped on the right side of the frame, in front of the sideplate: MADE IN U.S.A."

So I guess that puts mine as between 1917-1922?

​

Thoughts?

 

[Born2saw]

It is a .32 HE Third Model from the 1920s. H Richard failed to count the digits in your serial number (6 digits, not five). The production period listed for this iteration in the SCSW is 1919 to 1942 (more likely production ended in 1940 or 1941, due to the effort to address wartime demands in Great Britain).


That would be the First Model (AKA Model of 1896). The Model of 1903 introduced the front locking lug.

Your example appears to have been refinished. It's probably a good shooter.

What are the clues it was refinnished?

 

[JP@AK]

IIRC the Model of 1899 introduced the thumb cylinder release.

You are mixing up two different beasts. The subject revolver of this thread is a .32 caliber I frame. The .32 HE Model of 1896 did not have the thumb piece. The .32 HE acquired that feature in 1903.

The Model of 1899 introduced the K frame (for the .38 Special and .32 Winchester). The K frames had the thumb piece from the get-go.

 

[JP@AK]

What are the clues it was refinnished (sic)?

1. Silver color of hammer and trigger.
2. Poor fitment of the side plate.