.32 HE Third Model

[myrnpistol]

Back when the ammo shelves were bare a few months ago, I saw 2 lonely boxes of .32 S&W Long. I thought what the heck and bought them...I'll buy a gun later.

I came across this and said that's the gun for my ammo!

I believe it's a .32 HE Third Model that got re-barreled at the factory. Odd thing though, the frame and cylinder serial number is 385661 but the barrel is 585661. Was that a mistake, or was the barrel already marked prior to install?

The seller listed the gun as a Model 30?

Any advice on manufacture date would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Muley Gil]

This .32 is wearing Regulation Police grips. It was built before mid 1922, as it doesn't have the "MADE IN U.S.A." stamp on the right side. There are no date stamps on the grip frame nor is there a star after the serial number. It has been nickeled, but not by the factory.

It should a good shooter. I like it.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I believe the gun was worked on at the factory. The O's on the barrel and the left rear of the grip frame indicate service work. Hard to say if the plating was done at the factory.

 

[myrnpistol]

Not pictured in the photos, the top of the left grip has 78 stamped and on the right bottom of the grip B is stamped there. It also has the N stamp on the left side. Could it have re nickeled at the factory?

 

[JP@AK]

I'm with Guy on this - partly.

I suspect the barrel change was done at the factory and someone just set up the roll stamp jig incorrectly, substituting a 5 for the 3.

On the other hand, the sideplate seam yells aftermarket refinish. The N on the grip frame probably indicates original nickel, but it was replaced by someone else outside the factory later.

 

[myrnpistol]

Thanks for all the advice.

I could see it was re-nickled. They flattened out the trigger slide pin, but they left the roll mark intact. With the B mark on the grip, I wondered if it started out life blued. I really liked it and like the RP grips on it. Now I'll need to find some more ammo.