HE Newbie Pointers

[45NUTT]

I want a pre WWII HE now after reading through some threads. As I am a novice in this area, I will seek advice from the more knowledgeable members here.

A couple of questions:

1) How common are pre war nickel HE's?
2) Is the 32 Long a good starting point?

Naturally, I would love a 44 HE, but I want to ease into the pond not dive in head first and hit a big rock due to financial considerations. To me, it's the difference between 1 Gen Colt SAA's and 3 Gen's. You need experience and experience typically comes from making uninformed choices!!

I'm trying to side step some alligators here.

While I'm not new to guns or S&W, I am new to this realm.

Fire Away!

 

[raljr1]

Nickel is not rare in pre WWII 32 HEs Someone can put a percentage out there, I can not. I have a number of 32 HEs and Regulation Police models and they are how I started collecting Smith & Wessons. First off, they are not real expensive, so if you make a mistake, it isn't thousands of dollars it's hundreds. And, they are fun to shoot. If you reload, a pound of powder will load thousands.

Check the classifieds here, there are probably a few out there right now.

 

[Retired W4]

The 38 M&P Model of 1905, 4th change is a real good starter pre-war gun. Made from1915 to 1942 they are very common (3/4 of a million) and most times reasonably priced. 38 special ammo is every where.

 

[Hawg Rider]

The 38 M&P Model of 1905, 4th change is a real good starter pre-war gun. Made from1915 to 1942 they are very common (3/4 of a million) and most times reasonably priced. 38 special ammo is every where.

You can also find some decent buys on .32-20 HEs from the same period. But don't count out .44 HEs (2nd and 3rd Models). If you're OK with a blued finish, you can find .45 DA military Model of 1917s and Brazilian contract 1917s for reasonable prices.

 

[JH1951]

I picked up a nice Regulation Police pre-war nickel .38 S&W Terrier (38/32) a bit ago. Condition has a major impact on price. Buy as nicely as you can afford; you will not be disappointed in the long-run. Generally, very nice ones are not inexpensive, but well worth paying a premium for. Research on selling prices will be your friend.
As for production numbers of pre-war nickel finishes, a common number knocked around is 10%, but I am not convinced that it was not more for pre-war production. IFAIK there is not a 'firm' number out there, just guesswork based loosely on observations.

 

[glowe]

You do not state why you want this gun? Makes a big difference in selection process. If you want a shooter to play with at the range, or a true bullseye gun, or for a powerful handgun, or a carry gun, or as an investment, or for display only, the answer varies. Let us know why you want a S&W revolver made before 1942?

 

[handejector]

I picked up a nice Regulation Police pre-war nickel .38 S&W Terrier (38/32) a bit ago.

NICE gun!


"Regulation Police pre-war nickel .38 S&W Terrier (38/32)"


There is no such thing.
A Regulation Police and a Terrier are two different models.
Your gun is a 38/32 Terrier.

 

[boykinlp]

I picked up a nice Regulation Police pre-war nickel .38 S&W Terrier (38/32) a bit ago. Condition has a major impact on price. Buy as nicely as you can afford; you will not be disappointed in the long-run. Generally, very nice ones are not inexpensive, but well worth paying a premium for. Research on selling prices will be your friend.
As for production numbers of pre-war nickel finishes, a common number knocked around is 10%, but I am not convinced that it was not more for pre-war production. IFAIK there is not a 'firm' number out there, just guesswork based loosely on observations.

JH1951, your Terrier is definitely “drool worthy”! Knowing that production numbers start low, having one that makes it until now in that condition, is out of this world. Like you said, condition is EVERYTHING, and many nickel guns get those hairline scratches, so having one without those marks is awesome. I also like the grips a bunch. That’s one that I would certainly letter because I would have to know exactly the where and when. I have a nickel 1949 Pre-10 that is in that condition, and was one of my grail pieces, and yours is years earlier than mine. I always wanted a nickel prewar Colt Detective Special in that condition, the stars never aligned for me. Thanks for sharing.
Larry

 

[JH1951]

JH1951, your Terrier is definitely “drool worthy”! Knowing that production numbers start low, having one that makes it until now in that condition, is out of this world. Like you said, condition is EVERYTHING, and many nickel guns get those hairline scratches, so having one without those marks is awesome. I also like the grips a bunch. That’s one that I would certainly letter because I would have to know exactly the where and when. I have a nickel 1949 Pre-10 that is in that condition, and was one of my grail pieces, and yours is years earlier than mine. I always wanted a nickel prewar Colt Detective Special in that condition, the stars never aligned for me. Thanks for sharing.
Larry

Thank you for your kind words, Larry.
I was lucky, this one came to me with a letter. I'll provide that information below.
I have only seen one other decent pre-war nickel 38/32 Terrier in the last several years, and it shipped to Lou Eppinger also.
I entertained the thought of getting both of them, but other priorities aided my self control.

 

[45NUTT]

You do not state why you want this gun? Makes a big difference in selection process. If you want a shooter to play with at the range, or a true bullseye gun, or for a powerful handgun, or a carry gun, or as an investment, or for display only, the answer varies. Let us know why you want a S&W revolver made before 1942?

Probably not for carry, but to fondle, admire, shoot, display and brag to my friends. Just cuz really. As my moniker implies, I am a gun nut, so described by my NRA instructor older Sister. I have a K-22, K-38, K-38 CM, 19's, 66's, a 48 and they are all post WWII. My K-22 is a 1948 production.

Just want to go further back in the string and play with a few that were around before the war to end all wars occurred. Plus, I'm a history buff, and firearms from flintlocks and Hawken rifles to Colt SAA's and Winchesters, Marlins & Savages plus the pocket pistols of the late 1800's made by S&W, H&R and Iver Johnson are all on my "TO DO" list.

I've got some of them but no pre war S&W's.

Is that a good enough treatise on my desire?? Thanks BTW for the great question!

 

[glowe]

K frame 38 Targets are always a good bet. They were well-made and extremely high quality guns. Not all that common is high condition since the pre-WWII guns never exceeded 10% of total production. Going back to 1899 and 1902 Targets, likely less than 5% of production and much more difficult to find.

You could also go down in caliber all the way to 22LR with the K frame 22 Outdoorman's model or the K22 1940 which is highly sought after.

 

[H Richard]

Just sticking your toe in, the .32 H E 's are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. You can still get shooter grade .32 H E's in the $250 to $450 range. They are great shooters, no recoil. Numerous .32's were sock drawer guns and therefore still in great condition. The fun is in the chase, and the shooting.


a 30-1



32 HE, pre mod 30



and another




Then there's .32 top breaks, they're fun also.


and even earlier .32's



and Bicycle guns (.32's) are so cute.

 

[JH1951]

NICE gun!


"Regulation Police pre-war nickel .38 S&W Terrier (38/32)"


There is no such thing.
A Regulation Police and a Terrier are two different models.
Your gun is a 38/32 Terrier.

Thank you for your positive comment on my Terrier. I took a chance on this one and things turned out better than expected!

I knew better than to phrase the nomenclature the way I did.... Not sure what my disconnect was when I did that. Thank you for the correction and bringing it to attention.

With a more clear mind, which remains open to correction, I will add (IIRC) that production of the .38 Regulation Police began in March 1917, starting at SN 1. The .38 Regulation Police (later the Mod. 33) was originally available with only a 4” barrel and is most often seen with a square butt. Factory finishes were blue or nickel. All .38/32 Regulation Police models were chambered in .38 S&W (not .38 S&W Special).
In June 1936, a 2” barrel round butt version was introduced, and to distinguish it from the earlier production the factory named it the “.38/32 Terrier”. So, we can say that the Terrier shares the same gene pool as the RP models, but there is a distinct difference. (I have always wondered what they would have called it if they didn't choose the name "Terrier"?) The Terrier laid claim to being the smallest .38 caliber handgun in production. The Terrier was serial numbered in the Regulation Police series beginning around SN 38976. These were of a six-screw configuration (including in the count the mainspring strain screw).

 

[45NUTT]

H Richard,

I do really like the old top breaks and have a nickel S&W (with MOP grips) and an IJ. Got another lined up that I'm thinking about. The HE I'm looking at is 32, pre-war and nickel for maybe under $500. It still has about 90% nickel remaining.