Hand ejector revolver identification

[Andresall]

Good evening everyone, greetings from Argentina. I recently purchased this Hand Ejector 32 Target. I suspect it's a Regulation Police Target, but I have some doubts because the front sight doesn't match a model I've seen in pictures. The serial number is 504xxx, which would correspond to a pre-war model. I would appreciate it if you could help me confirm this and provide any additional information, such as how many were manufactured or any other relevant details. Thank you very much in advance!

 

[DARE]

I agree your gun is a pre-war .32 Regulation Police Target. The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 5th Edition says the Target model is worth three times what the non-target sells for. Serial number range is about 260000 to 536000. Made 1917 to 1942. I would guess your number might be late 1930s. The front sight might look different from pictures you have seen because yours is a Target model.

 

[DCWilson]

Yes, definitely a .32 Regulation Police Target. Other than yours, there are three .32 RPTs known with 504xxx serial numbers, and all shipped in mid 1929. There aren't many of this model. it is possible no more than 1500 were made between 1917 and the onset of WWII. I track these, and have collected only about 60 serial numbers from known specimens. If you would be willing to send me your full serial number by PM, I will add it without ownership identification to the catalog of known specimens. If you would prefer not to do that, I will simply add it with the last three digits unreported.

Your revolver is in very good shape for its age. In a United States auction, I would expect it to bring $2000-3000 (or possibly higher if two deep-pockets collectors got into a bidding war for ownership rights).

CORRECTION: Only two of the known 504xxx serial numbers were shipped in 1929. One of them shipped in mid-1927. Ref post 26 below.

 

[MajorD]

Beautiful gun! The 32 targets are rarely encountered- I don’t think I have ever seen one in person!

 

[Hondo44]

Good evening everyone, greetings from Argentina. I recently purchased this Hand Ejector 32 Target. I suspect it's a Regulation Police Target, but I have some doubts because the front sight doesn't match a model I've seen in pictures. The serial number is 504xxx, which would correspond to a pre-war model. I would appreciate it if you could help me confirm this and provide any additional information, such as how many were manufactured or any other relevant details. Thank you very much in advance!

Very nice rare find!
Have you checked the back side of the right side grip for a serial number that matches the gun? The reason I ask is because starting after the late 1920s, S&W logo medallions were once again used in the top of the grips. Because your gun is from the late 1930s it should have medallions unless they aren't the original grips.

 

[Hondo44]

The target front sight blade shapes do vary slightly. This one from 1957 is slightly different.


But here's one of similar vintage to yours with front sight blade that looks identical to yours.

 

[Andresall]

I agree your gun is a pre-war .32 Regulation Police Target. The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 5th Edition says the Target model is worth three times what the non-target sells for. Serial number range is about 260000 to 536000. Made 1917 to 1942. I would guess your number might be late 1930s. The front sight might look different from pictures you have seen because yours is a Target model.

Thank you so much for your reply! This is my first post and I appreciate your kindness. Best Regards
Andres

 

[Andresall]

Yes, definitely a .32 Regulation Police Target. Other than yours, there are three .32 RPTs known with 504xxx serial numbers, and all shipped in mid 1929. There aren't many of this model. it is possible no more than 1500 were made between 1917 and the onset of WWII. I track these, and have collected only about 60 serial numbers from known specimens. If you would be willing to send me your full serial number by PM, I will add it without ownership identification to the catalog of known specimens. If you would prefer not to do that, I will simply add it with the last three digits unreported.

Your revolver is in very good shape for its age. In a United States auction, I would expect it to bring $2000-3000 (or possibly higher if two deep-pockets collectors got into a bidding war for ownership rights).

Hi David, how are you? yes no problem with, I'll take some more photos and send you the revolver's complete serial number as well, no problem. Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[Andresall]

Beautiful gun! The 32 targets are rarely encountered- I don’t think I have ever seen one in person!

Thanks Major!! I think I got lucky; I'm going to take better photos because I'm not doing it justice.

 

[Andresall]

Very nice rare find!
Have you checked the back side of the right side grip for a serial number that matches the gun? The reason I ask is because starting after the late 1920s, S&W logo medallions were once again used in the top of the grips. Because your gun is from the late 1930s it should have medallions unless they aren't the original grips.

View attachment 868720

Hi Hondo, how are you? thanks for all the info!! by the way, The only marking on the grip is this. Pat. June 5.1917 If that is the date of manufacture of the grip, then it would not be the original one for the revolver, although you also mentioned that the date suggests it wouldn't be the original grip.
Tks!!!!!!!!

 

[Andresall]

The target front sight blade shapes do vary slightly. This one from 1957 is slightly different.
View attachment 868721

But here's one of similar vintage to yours with front sight blade that looks identical to yours.
View attachment 868722

Yes!!!!!! Thank you so much for the help and information!

 

[Andresall]

Very nice rare find!
Have you checked the back side of the right side grip for a serial number that matches the gun? The reason I ask is because starting after the late 1920s, S&W logo medallions were once again used in the top of the grips. Because your gun is from the late 1930s it should have medallions unless they aren't the original grips.

View attachment 868720

I'm leaving you a couple more photos; one that I find very interesting is the one of the hammer, which has a legend stamped on it.

 

[desi2358]

Hi Hondo, how are you? thanks for all the info!! by the way, The only marking on the grip is this. Pat. June 5.1917 If that is the date of manufacture of the grip, then it would not be the original one for the revolver, although you also mentioned that the date suggests it wouldn't be the original grip.
Tks!!!!!!!!

That is the patent date for the grip design and appeared on that style grip for years. Factory fitters would write the serial number on the inside flat area of the grip in pencil in that era. It can be very hard to see and often requires use of a light and finding just the right angle. Sometimes it is gone or simply unreadable, likely the victim of over zealous cleaning by a previous owner.

 

[Andresall]

That is the patent date for the grip design and appeared on that style grip for years. Factory fitters would write the serial number on the inside flat area of the grip in pencil in that era. It can be very hard to see and often requires use of a light and finding just the right angle. Sometimes it is gone or simply unreadable, likely the victim of over zealous cleaning by a previous owner.

I'll take it apart again and look for it more carefully! But I don't think it's there. Thank you so much for the information!

 

[Roberto Renauld]

Muy bien Andres!!, veo con gran acuerdo que has recurrido al foro indicado para saber más sobre S&W!, Un placer saber que existen mas entusiastad dr S&W en mi Pais!!,Saludos desde Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina!!

 

[Andresall]

Muy bien Andres!!, veo con gran acuerdo que has recurrido al foro indicado para saber más sobre S&W!, Un placer saber que existen mas entusiastad dr S&W en mi Pais!!,Saludos desde Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina!!

Jajajaja Si Roberto, igualmente!!! un placer, estaba con algunas dudas porque no hay mucho de este modelo al alcance de la mano. Si bien tengo libros y amigos que la tienen clara tambien, tenia una duda, basicamente por la cacha y el alza que en los libros no esta justo este modelo en foto. muchas gracias!!!!!! y estamos en contacto!!

 

[Roberto Renauld]

Un placer Amndres!!, hace muchos años que me interesan las armas cortas!!, desde 1979, cuando mi viejo me regalo un Modelo 19-2 de 4", después he tenido Modelo 17, Modelos 10, Modelo 27 y conservo mi Modelo 10-9 !! Ya tengo 73 años y aun tiro en el TFP!!!Seguimos en contacto!!

 

[Andresall]

Un placer Amndres!!, hace muchos años que me interesan las armas cortas!!, desde 1979, cuando mi viejo me regalo un Modelo 19-2 de 4", después he tenido Modelo 17, Modelos 10, Modelo 27 y conservo mi Modelo 10-9 !! Ya tengo 73 años y aun tiro en el TFP!!!Seguimos en contacto!!

que bueno Roberto!!!! a mi tambien me encantan las armas cortas, en especial los revolveres SW y de la competencia (esos con nombre de vibora jajajaja), tambien las pistolas pero ya de 1ww y 2ww alemanas, tengo alma de coleccionista, pero no el bolsillo jajajaja la felicidad no es completa!

 

[mtgianni]

Beinvenido de Montana, EE UU.

 

[Legendarylawman]

The back of the trigger may be stamped as well with the patent.

Carl

 

[Andresall]

The back of the trigger may be stamped as well with the patent.

CarlView attachment 868820

Yes!!!!!!!!!! That's right!! I hadn't noticed!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!

Would these be the original grips?

 

[Legendarylawman]

Is there anything written in pencil or stamped on the inside of the grips?

Carl

 

[Andresall]

Is there anything written in pencil or stamped on the inside of the grips?

Carl

I.dont know, They're not mine, I wanted to know if they matched the model :)

 

[Hondo44]

Yes!!!!!!!!!! That's right!! I hadn't noticed!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!

Would these be the original grips?

No those have recessed gold medallions, not silver, and are even older, from 1910 to 1920., Serial # penciled on the back of the right grip near the top.
The grips on your gun are from 1920 to 1929. Serial # penciled on the back of the right grip near the top.

You need the grips with flat chrome plated medallions with Serial # stamped on the back of the right grip near the bottom.

 

[kscharlie]

You have a very nice and desirable Regulation Police Target model. I very recently acquired one myself, the one pictured with red background in Hondo44s post above. The serial number 517900 shipped in April of 1935. During my "research" of this gun, I also discovered that another .32 RP Target with serial number 517800 was shipped to Buenos Aires in 1931. (So you may or may not have at least one other one to find in your country...;)) As you can see, shipping dates can be far apart for close serial numbers, especially for guns having little demand. They could sit in the vault for a long time before being shipped.

Since DCWilson indicated previously that 3 other RP targets beginning with serial number 504xxx shipped in 1929, it is quite possible that your stocks are original to the gun, even without a penciled serial number. Your stocks, without medallions, were utilized throughout the 1920s. If your gun was shipped in 1929, the stocks could be original. The stocks on my gun also do not have a discernible serial number penciled in on the right panel. But I have no reason to believe they are not original to the gun.

Whether original or not, your gun is still very collectible and valuable. Congratulations on obtaining it. Here are a couple more pics along with a closeup of the front sight.

 

[DCWilson]

A minor correction to what I said above: only two of the previously known RPTs with 504xxx serials were shipped in 1929. One was shipped in July 1927.

Of all the .32 RPTs with known destinations, four were shipped to Buenos Aires.

 

[Andresall]

A minor correction to what I said above: only two of the previously known RPTs with 504xxx serials were shipped in 1929. One was shipped in July 1927.

Of all the .32 RPTs with known destinations, four were shipped to Buenos Aires.

I sent you PV message!!!! Thanks a lot!!!!

 

[Andresall]

You have a very nice and desirable Regulation Police Target model. I very recently acquired one myself, the one pictured with red background in Hondo44s post above. The serial number 517900 shipped in April of 1935. During my "research" of this gun, I also discovered that another .32 RP Target with serial number 517800 was shipped to Buenos Aires in 1931. (So you may or may not have at least one other one to find in your country...;)) As you can see, shipping dates can be far apart for close serial numbers, especially for guns having little demand. They could sit in the vault for a long time before being shipped.

Since DCWilson indicated previously that 3 other RP targets beginning with serial number 504xxx shipped in 1929, it is quite possible that your stocks are original to the gun, even without a penciled serial number. Your stocks, without medallions, were utilized throughout the 1920s. If your gun was shipped in 1929, the stocks could be original. The stocks on my gun also do not have a discernible serial number penciled in on the right panel. But I have no reason to believe they are not original to the gun.

Whether original or not, your gun is still very collectible and valuable. Congratulations on obtaining it. Here are a couple more pics along with a closeup of the front sight.

View attachment 868913

View attachment 868914

View attachment 868915

You have a very nice and desirable Regulation Police Target model. I very recently acquired one myself, the one pictured with red background in Hondo44s post above. The serial number 517900 shipped in April of 1935. During my "research" of this gun, I also discovered that another .32 RP Target with serial number 517800 was shipped to Buenos Aires in 1931. (So you may or may not have at least one other one to find in your country...;)) As you can see, shipping dates can be far apart for close serial numbers, especially for guns having little demand. They could sit in the vault for a long time before being shipped.

Since DCWilson indicated previously that 3 other RP targets beginning with serial number 504xxx shipped in 1929, it is quite possible that your stocks are original to the gun, even without a penciled serial number. Your stocks, without medallions, were utilized throughout the 1920s. If your gun was shipped in 1929, the stocks could be original. The stocks on my gun also do not have a discernible serial number penciled in on the right panel. But I have no reason to believe they are not original to the gun.

Whether original or not, your gun is still very collectible and valuable. Congratulations on obtaining it. Here are a couple more pics along with a closeup of the front sight.

View attachment 868913

View attachment 868914

View attachment 868915

Excellent! So much information! It's great to be able to learn so much here! Thank you so much!

 

[22hipower]

The stocks on your RP Target are correct for 1929. The silver medallion ones didn't show up until 1930. The front sight looks ok to me too. Here's mine from 1927 (SN 439824) and one of the 196 from 1957.

 

[Andresall]

The stocks on your RP Target are correct for 1929. The silver medallion ones didn't show up until 1930. The front sight looks ok to me too. Here's mine from 1927 (SN 439824) and one of the 196 from 1957.

View attachment 868995

Omg!!! Cool!!!!! Original stock!!! Great news!!! Thanks for the information and share pics!!