Another Ident: .32 Long, Hand Ejector

[paddlingman]

At least, I think it is the model normally referred to as a "32 Hand Ejector." I purchased some reproduction grips for "Early Model 32 Hand Ejectors" and they are quite too short. This may be a Third Model Hand Ejector?

Without further adieu:

* Nickel Plated
* 4" Barrel EDIT 4.25"
*Left Side of Barrel: "SMITH & WESSON"
*Right Side of Barrel: ".32 LONG CTG"
*Top of Barrel / Line 1: "SMITH & WESSON, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. USA"
*Top of Barrel / Line 2: "PATENTED FEB 6 06. SEPT.14.09. DEC.29.14"
* No model in Yoke - assy # only
*SN: 588947 (First digit could be B, 3, or 5?) EDIT: 388947 Front of grip strap
* Four Screws in side plate EDIT- and one in front of trigger guard
* Fixed Sights
* Strain Screw in front grip strap

 

[glowe]

If you look at the back of the butt-frame, you will find a rebate where a set of Regulation Police stocks would have been fitted. They were longer than the frame, allowing better grip and that is why the serial number is located on the front and not the bottom of the butt. I believe the first number is a "3" and if so, it would have been shipped from the factory around 1926. I do not think it is a "5", but if so it would have been manufactured post-WWII and probably shipped with one year either way of 1952.

The proper name for your revolver is a 32 Regulation Police, and in the late 1950s turned into the Model 31.

I think see a 5th screw located in front of the trigger guard. This screw was eliminated in 1953. I do not have an image of the post-WWII stocks, but I do have one of a pre-WWII 32 Regulation Police used throughout the 1920s.

 

[paddlingman]

Gary - thank you SO very much, sir. This was inherited from my father but no real history behind. It could have easily been a yard sale / pawn shop find on his part.

Yes, there is a 5th screw in front of the trigger guard. So, 32 Regulation Police from 1952ish.

There were some terrible & cracked grips on it when I received it. Now to find grips that fit. I am oddly motivated to give this one some life back.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I believe the first digit is a 3. That would put it in the 1924 era. I think I see a step on the back strap. That makes the gun a .32 Regulation Police. It takes special grips that fit to the backstrap and extend the grip below the bottom of the grip frame.

 

[Hondo44]

The first digit has to be a 3 because it was made between 1923 and 1930; it still has a mushroom extractor rod knob and MADE IN USA on right side frame. The barrel is 4 1/4" long.

 

[paddlingman]

Guy - Now that I've taken out contacts and put on my glasses, I can see that it definitely appears to be a 3 rather than 5. There is definitely a step on the back strap.

Just since these answers, I've begun to read some 32 RP posts. I kept getting stuck thinking it was a 32 Hand Ejector and which Model it might have been. Everything syncs up the 32 Regulation Police. Excellent!

EDIT: Jim, that would still put it in the years for RP though, right?

 

[Hondo44]

The .32 RPs weren't made until 1917 so it's a 3rd Model .32. Although the .38 RP had 4" barrels from 1917 marked reg police, the .32 didn't get the 4" until 1952 and were never marked regulation police.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Jim, I thought the early .32 Regulation Police had a 3.5" and a 4-1/4" barrel.

 

[paddlingman]

I double-checked the barrel length: 4.25". Also a better picture of the rebate.

I will edit the original post to reflect the correct barrel length. I apologize for the inaccuracy.

 

[Truckman]

It takes special grips that fit to the backstrap and extend the grip below the bottom of the grip frame.

I haven't seen my own RP in about 9 months...It's been promised to me in time for the Conroe gun show January 1/2...I also have a line on a pair of MOP grips that just might suit its new appearance...If so I'll have the J. Scott faux stags that Guy donated from his collection...If things work out well with the MOP's, and with Guy's permission, I can pass them on to this worthy old warhorse......Ben

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Ben, they're yours to do with as you like. Might look good on that old 32 Regulation Police.

 

[Truckman]

Ben, they're yours to do with as you like. Might look good on that old 32 Regulation Police.

I'd better wait and see if the MOP's materialize and if they fit and especially IF I can afford them...My bank is about broke since my last shopping spree...But I'm sure your grandfather might be pleased at their extended life cycle......Ben

 

[glowe]

The .32 RPs weren't made until 1917 so it's a 3rd Model .32. Although the .38 RP had 4" barrels from 1917 marked reg police, the .32 didn't get the 4" until 1952 and were never marked regulation police.

. . . but with the OP's corrections, the gun was shipped in the mid-1920s so it is an RP. The 32 RPs started in the 263,000 serial number range of the 32 HEs. The OP has changed the number to 388947, so it is an RP, plus with the rebated butt-frame as I mentioned above, it has to be a Regulation Police.

 

[Hondo44]

. . . but with the OP's corrections, the gun was shipped in the mid-1920s so it is an RP. The 32 RPs started in the 263,000 serial number range of the 32 HEs. The OP has changed the number to 388947, so it is an RP, plus with the rebated butt-frame as I mentioned above, it has to be a Regulation Police.

Yes I agree, an RP which is equivalent to a 3rd Model hand ejector in engineering design.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim, I thought the early .32 Regulation Police had a 3.5" and a 4-1/4" barrel.

3 1/4" and 4 1/4" (more commonly in the earlier years).