Fiinally got one that I can't really identify

[Tex1001]

I've had this little beauty for years. When it came to me it
was in REALLY sad mechanical shape. Now the ugly is only
cosmetic. It is a 6 shot 32 Long, 3.5" barrel. The stocks were
gone so I adapted a pair of model 36 stocks shortened
about 1/4". Notice the short cyllinder and trigger guard.
It is tight now, good mechanicals and accurate.
Finish is butt ugly but I love it.

What model is it? I'm not familiar with the kit gun styles.
Any input will be appreciated.
This is the only photo I have. The model 31 photo is for comparison.

 

[Muley Gil]

You have a .32 Hand Ejector.

What is the serial number?

 

[Tex1001]

S/N is 565XXX. no alphas.
Thanks for the help.

 

[DCWilson]

It would be a fairly early postwar .32 Hand Ejector, probably shipped 1951 or not too far away on either side. It doesn't have a strain screw, so we are into the coil mainspring era. It also has a four-line address block, which was introduced in 1948.

 

[45NUTT]

Mine is also from around 1948. I love it, unfortunately, my wife shot it and it became her desk gun. I have a few others to choose from. It is a 3 1/4" barrel revolver.

 

[Tex1001]

It would be a fairly early postwar .32 Hand Ejector, probably shipped 1951 or not too far away on either side. It doesn't have a strain screw, so we are into the coil mainspring era. It also has a four-line address block, which was introduced in 1948.

Many thanks, DC..
ETA:
It's as cute as a button.
It and my Model 31 are my only 32 revolvers.
One of my granddaughters has fallen in love with it.

 

[45NUTT]

Many thanks, DC..
ETA:
It's as cute as a button.
It and my Model 31 are my only 32 revolvers.
One of my granddaughters has fallen in love with it.

Be careful, 32's are addictive, plus they're just plain fun to shoot!

 

[handejector]

The gun you are calling a 31 is actually a Mod 30. Mod 31s have a square butt. Mod 30s have round butts.

 

[Tex1001]

The gun you are calling a 31 is actually a Mod 30. Mod 31s have a square butt. Mod 30s have round butts.

I finally saw that. Thanks.
My records have been altered accordingly.

 

[Jerry in SC]

They are handy little revolvers, especially the I framed versions.

 

[DCWilson]

Mine is also from around 1948. I love it, unfortunately, my wife shot it and it became her desk gun. I have a few others to choose from. It is a 3 1/4" barrel revolver.


View attachment 772356

Nice specimen!

Have you confirmed the ~1948 date? The pinch-waist thumb release and sharp corners on the checking fields, not to mention the left side corporate logo, are usually taken to be features of pre-WWII production, though a very few postwar revolvers are known with those features, sometimes individually and sometimes grouped. The knobless ejector rod says postwar, but a factory barrel swap may have entailed a new ejector rod as well. I have no reason to think that actually happened, but wanted to mention a possibility.

The serial number would be a good guide: below 535000 almost always indicates prewar manufacture. Above 535000 is postwar, with scant production of I-frames between 1945 and 1950 because S&W turned to addressing pent-up commercial demand for K and N frame models.

 

[45NUTT]

Nice specimen!

Have you confirmed the ~1948 date? The pinch-waist thumb release and sharp corners on the checking fields, not to mention the left side corporate logo, are usually taken to be features of pre-WWII production, though a very few postwar revolvers are known with those features, sometimes individually and sometimes grouped. The knobless ejector rod says postwar, but a factory barrel swap may have entailed a new ejector rod as well. I have no reason to think that actually happened, but wanted to mention a possibility.

The serial number would be a good guide: below 535000 almost always indicates prewar manufacture. Above 535000 is postwar, with scant production of I-frames between 1945 and 1950 because S&W turned to addressing pent-up commercial demand for K and N frame models.

Serial number is 5389XX. I have been told it's a transition model. It just might be.

 

[DCWilson]

Thanks for the S/N, which makes this definitely a post-WWII revolver. But I think it would tale a letter to nail down a ship date, which might be as late as 1950 for the reasons I mentioned above.

I have a vague memory of a NYPD order in 1948 for a hundred or so 32 RPs for women officers. Maybe another member has details that I have forgotten about that order.

 

[Griz375]

Fiinally got one that I can't really identify​

• Thread starterTex1001

TEX100, if you buy llike I do, i.e. it fits my hand and I don't think I have one, that's going to happen every now & then. Not a bad thing . . . . . .