Help identifying 32 CAL

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Demob86

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This was handed down from a family member and I'd appreciate your expertise placing date and any other info on it.

Following the forum required info:

1. TYPE: HAND EJECTOR
2. S/N: 586714 (front gripstrap)
3. CAL: 32 LONG
4. BARREL: 4"
5: FIXED SIGHTS

Photos attached. Gun is in pretty good condition, I plan to have a gunsmith check it over before trying out on the range myself!

Thank you!
 

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Welcome to the forum!

Just beautiful, a very nice early "screamer".

In collector terms, you have a ".32 RP, post war Transitional 6 SCREW Model".
In .32 caliber, the barrels were not stamped "REGULATION POLICE".

Like DWalt posted above and by the serial # it's likely 1951 production.

The stocks were made pre WW II and are left over inventory, confirmed by the sharp cornered checkering field border although it does have post war curved, nickel plated medallions.

Many more details in my Commentary here if interested: http://smith-wessonforum.com/blogs/hondo44/103-post-war-i-frames-evolution.html

You'll enjoy shooting that one!
 
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Great information above. You must have high standards for gun condition - your "pretty good" is what most here would call "unfired and barely worn" :).

After your gunsmith gives it a clean bill of health, you can find any current .32 S & W Long ammunition to use; 98 gr round nose lead or wadcutters of about the same weight should be available. .32 S & W (also called "short") will work but you are unlikely to find them. Please give us a range report after you shoot it!
 
Welcome.
Why the thumbs down in the post title ?
Was it just an accident ?....if so you can click on edit...then go advanced and change the thread title to thumbs Up.

That is a marvelous example to be given.
 
Demob86 said:
Great - thanks for the quick reply!
Click to expand...

I meant to also post:

You do not need to waste time or money with a gunsmith.

Simply put, the only usual issue with these marvels of yesteryear is they are gummed up and dirty. Old oils of its time do not match the quality of these old guns nor the science of today, and actually dry up and harden to the point of impeding operation and accelerating wear. The simple solution does not need a gunsmith. Just one of any premium modern gun product from any sporting goods, gun store or hardware store.

Most are both cleaning and preserving agents; Breakfree, Kroil & M-Pro7 are some of the best, but there are others. Disassembly is not necessary. With grips removed and a spray can version of the product, flood and flush the revolver thru every opening and crevice until the black gunk stops flowing out, let it drain for an hour and wipe it down good.

Scrub barrel bore and cylinder chambers with a simple cleaning rod kit found at the same places as the cleaning agents above, and patches cut from rags is all you really need. And scrub any observed exterior and crevice crud with an old toothbrush with bristles cut off short for stiffness.

Once cleaned and lubricated, with a few simple checks you can determine if it’s safe to use. Open the cylinder and verify the barrel is unobstructed. Cock the hammer slowly and confirm the cylinder is locked in position for each of the 6 chambers. If satisfactory, now operate the gun by pulling the trigger slowly until the hammer drops. Again, confirm each time after cycling the action, that the cyl is still locked in position. Cock the hammer in single action mode. Gently push on the hammer to confirm that it will not drop w/o pulling the trigger.

If you do want to venture further to disassemble, although not needed, here are two videos using a gun almost like yours, a .38 Special Model 10, showing step by step disassembly and reassembly:

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 10 SERVICE REVOLVER PART 1 - YouTube
Note: The part referred to in the video as the crane is actually the yoke in S&W terminology. Crane is the Colt name for that part.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KneMUM9rfw4]SMITH & WESSON MODEL 10 SERVICE REVOLVER PART 1 - YouTube[/ame]

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 10 PART 2 - YouTube
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SyZpmw1K-A]SMITH & WESSON MODEL 10 PART 2 - YouTube[/ame]
 
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weatherby said:
Welcome.
Why the thumbs down in the post title ?
Was it just an accident ?....if so you can click on edit...then go advanced and change the thread title to thumbs Up.

That is a marvelous example to be given.
Click to expand...

Yes I never noticed, thought I'd clicked thumbs up! Will edit thanks.
 
murphydog said:
Great information above. You must have high standards for gun condition - your "pretty good" is what most here would call "unfired and barely worn" :).

After your gunsmith gives it a clean bill of health, you can find any current .32 S & W Long ammunition to use; 98 gr round nose lead or wadcutters of about the same weight should be available. .32 S & W (also called "short") will work but you are unlikely to find them. Please give us a range report after you shoot it!
Click to expand...

Thanks Alan, my evaluation of condition was just as a layman, I'm not a collector (at least not yet). I'll give it a good cleaning as Jim recommends - there is a lot of dried up stuff in the cylinder chambers and barrel but everything seems sound mechanically. The family member who gave it to me said at one point it had sat so long loaded that the ammunition was actually seized in there, so he had a gunsmith remove them and give it a clean.The near end of the barrel inside does look to be a bit pitted and there is some caked-on black stuff (oil, power maybe). Took a photo (not easy to do!) if it helps. I'll just be sure to hold it at arms length on first firing lol. My local store has S&W 32 CAL Long 98 grain, rounded lead in stock so I bought a box. Will let you know how it goes

~Baz
 

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Hondo44 said:
Welcome to the forum!

Just beautiful, a very nice early "screamer".

In collector terms, you have a ".32 RP, post war Transitional 6 SCREW Model".
In .32 caliber, the barrels were not stamped "REGULATION POLICE".

Like DWalt posted above and by the serial # it's likely 1951 production.

The stocks were made pre WW II and are left over inventory, confirmed by the sharp cornered checkering field border although it does have post war curved, nickel plated medallions.

Many more details in my Commentary here if interested: THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION - Smith & Wesson Forum

You'll enjoy shooting that one!
Click to expand...

Thank you Jim - everyone has been so helpful here it's much appreciated. Odd to think at one point these were police issue, considering it is quite small and has small grip. Compared with the hand cannons I see my local LEO's carrying these days anyway!

Don't plan to use it as EDC though, I have my eye on a new 642 Snub nose .38 Special for self defense, but will certainly take care of it and use it at the range.

~Baz
 
Hi Baz,

That bore should clean up fine. A good scrubbing with a brass cleaning brush will help. A product called Ez-Ox is especially good for that.

Jim
 
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