.32 Hand Ejector info

[ddh1961]

Hello all, new member here. I came into ownership of my grandfather’s .32 Hand Ejector about 20 years ago when he passed, and I’m just looking to find out some basic info on it. It’s in pretty good shape and is a fine shooter. I looked thru the posting sticky and think I have the info someone might need to give me some background on this fine revolver. Here goes:
Type-Hand Ejector
SN- 468781 (no letters)
Caliber-32 Long CTG
Barrel length- 3 1/4”
Sights- Fixed
Strain screw- Yes
Butt swivel- No
Lanyard ring- No
Screws- 5

If I need to post a pic I can, just let me know. I’d appreciate any info you folks can provide on this gun. Thanks in advance!
Dave

 

[goatsnguns]

Welcome to the forum. I believe that you have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 1st change, circa 1904 - 1906. We always like pictures, please post some. You have come to the right place for friendly advice and freely given information. Hope you stick around, there is a lot of knowledge here.

 

[ddh1961]

Hi Gary, thank you for the quick reply. I will post some pics tomorrow when I can get to my computer. Your reply is much appreciated, have a great evening!
Thanks,
Dave

 

[JP@AK]

Dave

I think goatsnguns failed to consider the number of digits in your serial number. 468781 would put your .32 into the 1920s, so it would be a .32 Hand Ejector Third Model.

We look forward to seeing some pictures.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Right around 1927 ship date. Does your revolver have a mushroom shaped ejector rod knob and/or a "MADE IN USA" stamp under the cylinder on the right side of the frame?

 

[Green Frog]

Another consideration is finish type. In that time range one would expect either a blued or a nickel plated finish. There doesn’t seem to be a huge difference in value except that when blue wears you get thin or bare spots and perhaps a little freckling or rust. When nickel wears significantly the bare spots get pretty ugly pretty fast. Originality of finish is also a consideration.

Froggie

 

[goatsnguns]

Jack,

You are of course correct, I don't know if it is old age or my eyes that lead to the wrong info. Sorry, Dave, for the mistake.

 

[ddh1961]

Hi Guys, just got off work & will upload pics in a bit. Yes Gary, it has the mushroom ejector as well as the Made in USA as you described. And froggie it is blued. Thanks all!

 

[ddh1961]

Here's one pic.

 

[ddh1961]

Here's another.

 

[glowe]

Hi Guys, just got off work & will upload pics in a bit. Yes Gary, it has the mushroom ejector as well as the Made in USA as you described. And froggie it is blued. Thanks all!

Those are important features that tie the gun to certain years. The mushroom knob was used until 1927, being replaced by a barrel shaped knob then. The MADE IN USA stamp was started in mid-1922 and continued beyond WWII, so that narrows the years down to 1922 to 1927.

S&W did not ship in serial number order, so, depending on inventory, any revolver could sit for a day or even a couple years. Historical letters are available that will give you information on the history of the model, the exact ship date, where the gun was shipped, and the gun's configuration as it left the factory.

 

[ddh1961]

Thanks for all the information guys. Gary you got me within a 5 year window on it, which is awesome. Since the gun has such sentimental value I’ll be getting up with S&W for a history letter on it. One last question; do you guys think I should have it reblued by S&W? It has some light rusting due to age, mostly just surface flash, no pitting that I can see. Would it be better to leave it as-is or reblue? Thanks again to all for the much appreciated information. Hope you all had a good Memorial Day.
Dave

 

[Mbrgr1]

Thanks for all the information guys. Gary you got me within a 5 year window on it, which is awesome. Since the gun has such sentimental value I’ll be getting up with S&W for a history letter on it. One last question; do you guys think I should have it reblued by S&W? It has some light rusting due to age, mostly just surface flash, no pitting that I can see. Would it be better to leave it as-is or reblue? Thanks again to all for the much appreciated information. Hope you all had a good Memorial Day.
Dave

Please do yourself and the gun a favor and leave it as is, a little cleaning with oil and bronze wool, that patina was well earned!

 

[ddh1961]

Please do yourself and the gun a favor and leave it as is, a little cleaning with oil and bronze wool, that patina was well earned!

I agree, I believe I’ll leave it as-is. If it was good enough for my grandfather, it’s good enough for me. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Green Frog]

Thirty plus years ago Roy Jinks told me that Smith wouldn’t refinish my I frame revolver because parts were no longer available and if anything broke during tear down and reassembly, it couldn’t be fixed. I suggest you enjoy it as is.

Froggie