Couple of Questions for the Board (Vintage .32 HE)

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Hello, Folks,

Couple of questions.

I have had this nice .32 HE for a few years. Nice shape, except for what appears to be some holster wear and a lack of finish on the front half of the ~4-1/8" barrel, likely due to poor storage. Serial number is 248692. So here are my two questions:

1) How can I tell (or can one of you tell) which "change" this one belongs to?

2) Also, I understand that this revolver is an "I Frame" - is this correct?

3) Oh, and a third question: Is this the same frame that the .38 S&W Regulation Police revolvers were built on?

TIA,

Tom

 

[DWalt]

248692 probably shipped in 1917. Yours is correctly called a .32 Hand Ejector, Model of 1903, Fifth Change. It is an I frame, and is pretty much the same as the RP except for the shape of the grips and a small change to the grip frame. Its production did not begin until after yours was made.

It looks like someone dipped the front half of your barrel into acid due to the sharp demarcation line. I might just swab some cold blue on that area.

 

[Tom in Pittsburgh]

Thanks!

Thanks, DWalt -- much appreciated

 

[Hondo44]

Hi Tom,

The 38 S&W I frame also had a slightly larger cyl diameter and frame window opening.

These larger dimensions were not used on the .22/32 and .32 I frames until the introduction of the Model of 1953 New I frame.

 

[jebstuart]

Ditto on the cold blue. I use Oxpho-blue cream and it's great stuff. I get the best result by using the same oily rag I just used to oil the revolver. The oil prevents blotches. 0000 steel wool helps with blending. Just my 2 cents & worth every penny.

 

[99savage308]

nice 32 SW long,Tom. try the cold blue as Jeb stated above. worth a shot.
strange thing to me in a way. i have looked at a 32 HE with shorter barrel at my LGS for the last two days. blueing is here and there on the normal places. the gun dates approx 1929. i'm thinking still if i should get it. i this part of the country most don't want an old revolver. they want a GLOCK.