Grandmother’s purse S&W
- Thread starter Denali550
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mikeruns
Member
First model .32 hand ejector I believe, and they had the patent info around the cylinder….pretty cool model replacing the top break guns…1896-ish
model of 1896
It's one of the first S&W 's with a swing out cylinder.
Circa 1896 as stated above. 32 S&W caliber is still available
It looks like original worn finish to me
Nice inheritance.
P.S. A legal antique not requiring FFL transfer
It's one of the first S&W 's with a swing out cylinder.
Circa 1896 as stated above. 32 S&W caliber is still available
It looks like original worn finish to me
Nice inheritance.
P.S. A legal antique not requiring FFL transfer
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Welcome to the Forum.
You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1896.
This model was the first S&W to feature the swing-out cylinder.
Less than 20,000 were built between 1896 and 1903.
You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1896.
This model was the first S&W to feature the swing-out cylinder.
Less than 20,000 were built between 1896 and 1903.
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DWalt
Member
It’s one of the more rare and uncommon S&Ws due to the small number made. It is also classified as an official antique by BATFE, essentially it is not federally regulated as a firearm. The caliber is .32 S&W Long. That ammunition is still available, but I would not recommend you fire the revolver. I believe the dates on the cylinder are patent dates. Were it in high condition it would have a fairly high collectible value.
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My Mother's apron pocket and purse weapon was a Iver Johnson five shot hammerless .32 short revolver. Mom was convinced it would drop a charging elephant.
Welcome to the Forum! Looks like your Grandma was not a lady to mess with! Did you inherit this nice little nickel .32, or is it just in the family? The black hard rubber stocks (grips) look like they're still in pretty good condition, but the finish is a little rough. It could be gently polished (Mother's Mag and Aluminum Wheel polish or Flitz Polish) and what remains of the nickel finish would really shine. Your Grandma's revolver is an I-frame with a round butt, and as others have mentioned it was the first S&W model to feature a swing out cylinder (Hand Ejector). These revolvers were popular with police departments in NY, NJ, and PA. It is a very nice family heirloom. Enjoy!
Alk8944
US Veteran
As above, the dates on the cylinder are patent dates for various features included in the design of your revolver. All later models after this had the patent dates stamped on the barrel until they were deleted years later, about the end of WWII or early 1950s.
Ray
Member
Denali just Google up Ed Buffaloe article on .32 HE. There are pics of every variation (Changes) through times, including yours.
Regards Ray
Regards Ray
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Grandma must have walked a lot in the rain! Cool gun nevertheless.
If it was cleaned up and looked over by a competent person I see no reason it should not be fired. The 32 long is hardly a high pressure magnum round. I have several I frame 32s of later manufacture I fire.
DWalt
Member
My reason for not recommending firing was unrelated to safety. With use comes the potential of breaking a part which might be difficult, if not impossible, to repair or replace.
Hondo44 posted a summary of this model's unique features in the following thread: https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/711549-nickeled-model-1896-a.html
