32 Hand Ejector

[boiler bill]

I have a S&W 32 hand ejector S/N256xxx. It has rounded butt wood grips that extend past the frame. Are these the original grips or did somebody replace them. All the numbers match and it is super tight but shows some wear.

Thanks

 

[jmace57]

No. They are definitely not the original stocks/grips. They should fit almost perfect if they were original. I think it is a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 (5th Change based on serial number). It likely had black plastic grips on it originally. The gun is likely from around 1917 and the stocks are from sometime after 1968. Nice looking little gun, and welcome to the forum.

 

[19leben]

Pre war gun with late post war grips. Someone else should be able to provide pictures of the correct grips.

Looks like a nice 1903.

And another welcome to the best forum!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[JP@AK]

Here you go.

 

[boiler bill]

Thanks, I thought I had read somewhere that they are sometimes found with extended square grips But could never find a picture of the grips to see what they were talking about.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Your gun is an I frame and the grips that are on it are from a J frame. The J frame has a longer frame than the I frame.

Guy

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

That's in great shape for that vintage!

As posted above, the stocks are of much later vintage, post 1968 because they have no diamond around the screw,

These slighty longer round butt grips were introduced on the Model of 1953 I and J frames which have the 1/8" longer grip frame forging.

Many find the extra length more user friendly than the pre war and pre 1953 shorter grips.

Or you can shorten to match your grip frame. Or add a piece of filler wood and glue to backside of one grip.

Original optional walnut grips for your gun look like this but with gold plated and recessed medallions:

 

[boiler bill]

Thanks all for the information. Maybe I'll see if I can find the right grips for it or I might just leave it like it is.
I'm not a vintage S&W collector but I do have a few nice K and N frame Smiths. Again thanks all for the help.
I just might start looking a little harder for some older S&W's

 

[DWalt]

Your SN indicates that revolver probably shipped just before WWII, 1916-17. The black rubber grips as pictured are most probably what it shipped with, although I suppose it's possible for it to have been fitted with checkered wooden grips, but a different style from those on it now. Similar replica grips of black plastic are readily available.

 

[JP@AK]

I thought I had read somewhere that they are sometimes found with extended square grips But could never find a picture of the grips to see what they were talking about.

Here is a picture of the Extension Stocks you are referring to. I'll defer to the real expert on these early I frame guns, Hondo44, as to whether a .32 HE Model 1903 would ever have shipped with this style. With my knowledge of prewar I frames being somewhat limited, I tend to think not. Mostly these shipped on target guns, including the .22/32 Heavy Frame Target (as shown in the attached picture).

Your SN indicates that revolver probably shipped just before WWII, 1916-17. The black rubber grips as pictured are most probably what it shipped with

I agree with DWalt, both on the date and on the style of stocks. The gun shown in Post #4 carries serial number 228074 and it shipped in March, 1916.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Your SN indicates that revolver probably shipped just before WWII, 1916-17.

I'm a bit puzzled by this chronology. Do you mean "just before WWI"? (Actually during WWI, but before the USA was involved.)

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Hondo44]

Here is a picture of the Extension Stocks you are referring to. I'll defer to the real expert on these early I frame guns, Hondo44, as to whether a .32 HE Model 1903 would ever have shipped with this style. With my knowledge of prewar I frames being somewhat limited, I tend to think not. Mostly these shipped on target guns, including the .22/32 Heavy Frame Target (as shown in the attached picture).

Yes, possible for fixed sight guns to have come with the extended sq butt rubber stocks: