.32 Hand Ejector Manufacture date?

[M&PShooter]

Hi, I just picked up a .32 Hand Ejector and I was trying to figure out exactly what model and it's date of manufacture, it carries a serial number on the bottom of 34288. And below the Barrel of what appears to be 19200. on the top of the barrel the final patent date is 1903. I would appreciate whatever info I could get about it.

 

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the forum.

Ignore the 19200, which is a process control number. The serial number is the one from the butt -- 34288. That number indicates that this gun is a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, First change. The gun was probably shipped in 1904 or 1905.

Note the second flat spring in the grip. This gun has the early trigger rebound mechanism that does not involve a rebound slide and coil spring. The rebound slide mechanism was introduced with the Second Change of his model in 1906.

The gun has been refinished. Frame edges look a little rounded over, but the real giveaway are the hammer and trigger. Those parts were never plated or blued on S&W revolvers, even in factory refinishes. Color case hardening is the standard original finish for hammers and triggers.

The original stocks were probably hard rubber.

 

[M&PShooter]

Thank you very much, I would have never of noticed that it was refinished. You have been a really great help.