An Old Hand Ejector

[wrangler5]

I have kept in regular touch with my Air Force roommate since we left active duty in 1972. He recently gave me some information and pix of a S&W revolver passed down from his grandfather, who reputedly used it and a number of smaller break-top guns in his vaudeville comedy routines, shooting blanks.

It is a 6-shot Hand Ejector with serial number 17516 appearing on grip frame, cylinder, yoke, extractor star and barrel. The barrel is marked on the cylinder latch side 32 Winchester Ctg with dingbats at each end, and appears to be 4 inches in length. Sights are fixed. There are 4 screws in the sideplate but there is NO screw in the frame ahead of the trigger. Finish is nickel in nice shape, with a blue extractor star and unplated hammer and trigger, but there is no "N" stamp anywhere he could find.

I've attached a picture of the gun with the grips removed. I gather this is a very old gun, and any information would be appreciated, especially information on how old it is if that can be determined from the serial number. (There is no paperwork or family lore on when his grandfather might have acquired it.)

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Looks exactly like mine with SN 16XXX. Mine is a model of 1902 1st change, I think made around 1905. I'd guess yours is close to that. Someone with more expertise will be along soon to tell you exactly what you have.

 

[murphydog]

It's a .32-20 Hand Ejector, part of the M & P line, with the early barrel marking mentioning another gun maker. Approximate age estimate above looks about right.

Hopefully he didn't use black powder blanks, or did clean his guns regularly.

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. It is a .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1902 from about 1905. It has the "first change," which means the threaded portion of the barrel is larger than on previous units. You can see this by looking at the barrel where it threads into the frame. The barrel flares just forward of the frame bridge. On the earlier Model of 1902, the barrel is straight at that point (see picture below).

And yes, that is a 4" barrel.

It is hard to tell from your picture, but it looks almost as if the trigger return pin is flattened. If so, that may be a sign of a refinish. Can you post a picture of the right side?

 

[JP@AK]

Looks like Alan beat me to the click!

 

[wrangler5]

Here are a couple of shots of the right side. (The electro pencil numbers appear to be a social security number.)

 

[JP@AK]

Thanks. Hard for me to say. I'll leave the question to younger eyes.

Two things, though. The stocks appear to be original or at least period correct. The upper sideplate screw is missing. One can probably be found, but you'll want to make sure the threads are correct. As I recall, there was a change in pitch at some point.

A nice older family heirloom for your friend.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

From the SCSW, 4th Ed.:

1942: Stock screw/escutcheon and side plate screw thread was standardized March 4 to #5-44 NF. This does not include the top side plate screw which is 4-48 NF.

(Page 493).

So, apparently any upper sideplate screw should work. There are a lot of them on eBay for Victory and Model 1917 revolvers.

 

[Muley Gil]

From the SCSW, 4th Ed.:

So, apparently any upper sideplate screw should work. There are a lot of them on eBay for Victory and Model 1917 revolvers.

Post war threads are slightly different.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Gil, do you know when this change was implemented and on what models?