Chart of 1st Model 32 Hand Ejector (M1896) Ship Dates?

[karotipir12]

Does anyone have any factory letters for the 1st Model 32 Hand ejectors, or know if there is chart of shipping dates for these?


Thank you!

 

[Truckman]

This isn't what you're looking for I know, but just a thread bump...I own a very early second model 1903 which has the earlier 1896 type mainspring and trigger return spring...My letter says it shipped in August 1903...Good luck in building a database for this information, it's valuable for future researchers......Ben

 

[glowe]

It was stated by Roy Jinks that all 1896 frames were manufactured serial number stamped before 1899. They were than assembled and S&W sold without regards to serial number order. This all means that some 4 digit serial number 1896 shipped in the 1900s and the rest of the serial numbers sold all over the map. If one put them in a chart, it would be tough to make anything meaningful out of it.

One thing for sure is that it would not give any accurate indication of when any particular serial number would have shipped.

 

[HKSmith]

I have a Model of 1896, .32 Hand Ejector, with serial number 1874. Per my factory letter, it shipped on March 28, 1898. I agree with glowe that these guns were all serialized before 1899 and shipped until 1903 without regard to order of serial number. These guns are thus all antiques and not firearms under federal law. However, some states may regard them as firearms with regard to state law.

My revolver is mechanically excellent, has a great trigger pull, and I shoot it occasionally with excellent results. Although I enjoy shooting it, I keep it to 100-200 rounds per year. I dread the possibility of something breaking on this 125 year old revolver.

 

[Hondo44]

Here's my data base for the Model 1896, most with the shipping date:

..3XX Model 1896 Jan 1900
..413 4 screw sideplate, long hammer
2324 M 1896 shipped on Dec. 9, 1899
3400 shipped in 1899
4596 Newark Police No. 249 was shipped in 1899
4742 1896 3 ¼” my nickel (tiny N on left side grip frame near grip locator pin), pearl grips, has cyl hold open detent
5742 .32 Mod 1896, blue, 3 ¼” rubber grips shipped to Jersey City P.D. JCP #148 in the first batch May 27, 1897
5840 3 screw sideplate, short hammer spur (#5500 to 6000 only), shipped to the Jersey City P.D. #81 in 1897.
5917 3 screw, long hammer, no pins on extractor, shipped August 9, 1901
6443 Mod 1896 - June 1901
6575 Mod 1896 AUG. 1899
6889 Mod 1896 - June 1898
7420 JAN.1899
8120 MAR. 1897
8216 Model 1896 3 ¼” nickel, black HR grips, shipped in 4/30/1897 to P. Bekeart, long hammer
9867 shipped 8/1896
10345 AUG. 1898
10555 Model 1896, 4 1/4" bar, nickel, black extended 2 screw grips, Dec. 18, 1897
10669 Mod 1896 - March 1900
11057 1896, shipped 5/19/1900
13017 Mod 1896, 4 screw, long hammer, two pins on extractor, was shipped on Sept. 26, 1896
14584 M 1896, MAR. 1899
15661 my 1896 4 ¼”, blue, project gun, has cyl hold open detent
15XXX Model 1896, 4 screw sideplate, short hammer spur, shipped to the Jersey City P.D. #212 in 9/1899.
16801 1896 shipped Nov. 1904
16836 shipped Nov. 1900
17106 DEC. 1900
17341 shipped Apr. 1901

 

[DCWilson]

Additions to Hondo's list (all target models):

..9887 ...Jun 1898
17419... Apr 1901
17614 ...Dec 1900
18369 ...May 1901

1249 and 10439 are also 1st Model Targets, but I don't know their ship dates.

 

[glowe]

I am emailing you my database to double the size of your list with my serial numbers. Might be worth sending the compiled list off to SWCA where they are developing databases for use by Collectors Association members.

 

[karotipir12]

I know they're all supposed to be antique federally based on the correspondence between Roy Jinks and the ATF, but does anyone have a picture of the high serial number factory letters?



For instance, the letter for 13017 shipped in 1896, or a higher serial number with a pre-1899 ship date.

I live in a state where they have an antique exemption, except that they just define it as "any firearm manufactured in or before 1898", as opposed to the ATF which is clear that it is when the frame is manufactured and serialized.

 

[glowe]

What state is that? The BATF regulations are very clear on that issue.

 

[karotipir12]

What state is that? The BATF regulations are very clear on that issue.

Oregon exempts antiques from permit requirements.



And while the antique definition is written the same way as the GCA 1968, there isn't the case law of the GCA that defines frames or receivers based on antique date. So while it's probably okay, it's one of those you can never be extra safe precautions

ORS 166.210



(1) “Antique firearm” means: (a)Any firearm, including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type of ignition system, manufactured in or before 1898; and

(b)Any replica of any firearm described in paragraph (a) of this subsection if the replica:

(A)Is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition; or

(B)Uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

 

[karotipir12]

Another to add to the database: Serial #434 shipped on December 1898...
One of the earliest serial numbers but one of the latest pre-1899 ship dates