Help identify 32 long

[raginbull44]

This little revolver was given to me and after alot of searching I am unable to clearly identify it. I am no gun expert by no means but have been around them all my life and I am not having any luck with this.Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It is a .32 Hand Ejector. Looks like post WWII I frame pre-1953. What's the serial number? In 1957, it becomes the Model 30.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

That's a nice one!

It does look like a 32 HE Post War Transitional Model, but the correct post war wood grips appear to have been changed to pre war hard rubber grips which do not fit properly.

The answers to these questions will help confirm it's vintage and originality:

1) Serial # or partial #?
2) Does the backside of the right side grip have a matching serial # to the gun?
3) Is there a four line address on the right side front frame?
4) Is the serial # matching in all six locations:

1. Gun butt – (or fore strap on I frames/single shots with grips that cover the butt)

2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud

3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight

4. Extractor star – backside facing cyl

5. Cylinder - rear face

6. Right stock only - on back, (except most post war target stocks because individual fitting not required); stamped, scratched or penciled depending on vintage and stock material.

NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, cleaning, and an attitude that it is there!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Jim, I don't see any stamp on the right lower frame. I was going to ask about that and forgot. Could be an early frame, before 1922, and a new barrel/ejector rod?

 

[Hondo44]

Jim, I don't see any stamp on the right lower frame. I was going to ask about that and forgot. Could be an early frame, before 1922, and a new barrel/ejector rod?

Guy,
Yes, my thoughts exactly.

 

[Hondo44]

raginbull,

Please check under the left grip for a date stamped near the bottom of the grip frame.

 

[raginbull44]

serial number is stamped on back of cylinder
some numbers on the yoke (don't match serial #)
no other stamping anywhere
has the flat mainspring
serial 3134XX

 

[Wiregrassguy]

That serial number is from the early 1920s. You sure there is no number on the butt of the frame? Without a number there the gun is illegal. Is there a number Under the Gun Barrel where the ejector Rod docks? My guess is no.

Guy

 

[raginbull44]

Sorry i posted my last post without finishing there is a serial number on the butt

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Okay and does it match the one on the cylinder? If so they are original. Is there a number underneath the barrel? My guess is there is no number there or the number would be different than what's on the cylinder and butt. I say this because the frame and cylinder serial numbers are early 1920s. However the barrel and ejector rod are post World War II. So somewhere along the line your gun had had the barrel and ejector Rod replaced.

Guy

 

[raginbull44]

yes the two numbers match and there is nothing under the barrel.The new style ejector was what was throwing me off. Any ideas why the replacement of these parts ? Also just for curios is there any value to this gun ?

 

[Hondo44]

The barrel and ejector rod have been changed, probably the extractor star too (the # behind the ext star if any, will reveal that) so the ext rod is mow a left hand thread if you ever need to remove it.

The serial # places the gun as shipped between 1917 and 1923. That makes it a 32 hand ejector - 3rd model, 5th change.

The numbers in the yoke are assembly #s, they never match the serial #. That's the wrong place to find the serial # on the yoke, it's in a different location on the yoke; see #3 location in my first post. You must look thru a chamber with a flashlight to see it.

Barrels are replaced because:
owner wanted the improved post WW II ramp front sight,
owner wanted a different length,
barrel bore was corroded/pitted,
or barrel had a bulge from a bullet lodged in the barrel.

The extractor rod had to be changed to fit the new barrel. And the ext star on the cyl had to be changed to match the left hand threads of the post war ext rod.

Sure it has value but only as a shooter, not a collector piece.

 

[raginbull44]

First I want to give a Thank you to all that responded to my questions.Thank you for your time and patience with me.Only reason I am curious about value is the pistol was given to me by a dear friend and if it is worth any real money I will give it back cause I don't want to feel like I was getting one over on him.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Worth maybe $200 to $300. Lots of fun to shoot though.

Guy

 

[shouldazagged]

Welcome aboard, raginbull44. I hope you'll stick around. You won't regret it. Well, unless this bunch of enablers gets you purchasing lots more guns.

 

[dr. mordo]

Very nice pistol! With some TLC, I think it will be a beauty.

A gun store north of me has 3-4 similar pistols, all in worse condition, priced at $300-400. I think they are a bit high (which is why I didn't buy one), but for that gun of yours I might give $400 because I think it will clean up very nicely.