32 HE - ID

[Nickjc]

What are your immediate thoughts? Tag says 32 HE 1905

I think its a Pre-ware RP

The marking on the left side are Smith & Wesson
The marking on the right side are 32 Long CTG

If I am reading reference material correctly, the serial ranges are the same but marking are switched for the RP.

serial range is 427K - 1930's?

thanks

 

[Inusuit]

I assume you mean the serial number is 427XXX as I am unaware of any with a K suffix. And that Pre-ware is Pre-war? Standard Catalog 4th Edition says .32 HE Third Model is in the 263001 to 536683 circa 1919-1942. That doesn't narrow it down much, but I think it might be a .32 HE Third Model instead of an RP which is listed with wood stocks, not the hard rubber.

I'm shooting in the dark here, others will have more accurate information.

Also says the .32 RP (prewar) was built on the square butt I frame. Lovely revolver, by the way.

 

[JP@AK]

The most obvious way to tell the difference between a .32 HE and a .32 RP is the location of the serial number. On the HE it will be on the butt; on the RP it will be on the front strap of the grip frame. This one appears to be an HE. The stocks also indicate that identification.

As for the Model 1905, it cannot be. The 1905 was a K frame revolver, this one is an I frame revolver. Before about 1916 or so, it would have been called a Model 1903. Yours seems to be a .32 Hand Ejector Third Model. Does it have patent dates on top of the barrel? If so, what is the last one?

 

[Hondo44]

Very nice!

I agree with Jack above, a ".32 Hand Ejector - 3rd Model".

The mushroom style extractor rod knob tells us it was produced before mid 1927.

The serial # and others in my database tells us it's from 1926.

 

[les.b]

What Jack and Jim say. This is a beautiful little gun, and if you are trying to decide whether to buy it... Buy!! They make wonderful little shooters, and have a very mild report, and negligible recoil. Plus excellent accuracy.

I am a great admirer of the I frame, and of the .32 S&W Long cartridge.

Best Regards, Lea

 

[Nickjc]

Thanks all.

What through me was the barrel marking....

Smith & wesson is on the left side and 32 long on the right...I thought the HE was reversed. ...

All other items indicate it is a he not rp....

Yes contemplating purchasing it......I am goig to look at it today supposedly better in person than pics.... consignment.... high 300's .....

Would be a nice addition I think...

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks all.

What through me was the barrel marking....

Smith & wesson is on the left side and 32 long on the right...I thought the HE was reversed. ...

All other items indicate it is a he not rp....

The barrel markings of very early HEs can differ, but by the time RPs were introduced in 1917 HEs will have the same barrel markings as the RPs.

 

[Nickjc]

The barrel markings of very early HEs can differ, but by the time RPs were introduced in 1917 HEs will have the same barrel markings as the RPs.

Thank you...I didn't know that!

 

[glowe]

. . .
Smith & wesson is on the left side and 32 long on the right...I thought the HE was reversed . . .

Somewhere below 275XXX a change took place on the 32 HE. Prior to 1919, all my 32 HEs have the caliber on the left. All others higher than 275XXX have the SMITH & WESSON on the left side. I also have a 32 RP of the same era, sn 311XXX, where the SMITH & WESSON is on the left.

To complicate matters, I have a 6" 32 HE, sn 97XXX with SMITH & WESSON on the left, but that is because the gun was returned to the factory in 1945 and got a new barrel. They also changed out the knob to the barrel style to fit the barrel cut.