Help with Identification

[PNHNDLR]

Merry Christmas Morning,

Greetings! This is my first post - so lets get to it!

For Christmas I received a Smith and Wesson Revolver that belonged to my Great-Grandmother. It is not in the best shape, but I would like to know more about it.

I have done some of my own research but was not able match a serial number range with the model I think it might be... all that to say, I am here for some help.

I have read the sticky and will post the necessary information below. I will leave out the assumptions/conclusions I have come to unless it can help in some way.

Hand Ejector
SN: 244303
32 Long
4 1/4” barrel
Sights: Hand Ejector Fixed Rear Sights

Extra Data
Strain Screw: Yes
5 Screw

Please let me know if you need anymore information or have questions.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903-5th change. It probably shipped in 1916-1917. It appears to have a factory nickel finish.

Swing out the cylinder and look at the number stamped under the barrel. If there is a "B" in front of the serial number, it shipped with a blue finish. I doubt you will find one though.

 

[DWalt]

I don't have a SN really close to that one listed, but 228xxx shipped in 3/1916 and 259xxx shipped in 7/1917. Yours fills the gap, probably shipped in early 1917. You have a Model of 1903, fifth change.

 

[daddio202]

Welcome to the forum! Looks to me that you have a .32 hand ejector Model of 1903 5th change. The 5th the change was the most common and between 1910 to 1917 over 160 thousand were made. It looks like the gun is in pretty good shape for its age. Could use a good cleaning and a lube and if you get some Mothers mag wheel polish and applied it by hand then carefully buffed it out with a microfibre cloth you would be very surprised at how well it will look. You can shoot 32 S&W long from modern made manufacturers no problem. They still make it and can be found online at any ammo sales site. The gun is probably worth about $300 to $500 depending how well it cleans up but they are not a hot selling items except for us S&W people on this forum (we love old guns). Enjoy

 

[bulletslap]

Your Great Grand Mother had good taste !

 

[gmborkovic]

Got to love a Granny packing heat. Just see her now baking in the kitchen with a heater tucked in the apron pocket. Hold it dear, neat little 32.

 

[PNHNDLR]

So... the story on "Mom"...

Mom, when I knew her, lived in a nice house on 5 acres in a affluent South Georgia town. Apparently she had owned more land but had to sell it off as the town center crept out towards her and as she needed money. The whole block was a old Pecan orchard. The lots she sold off fell victim to blockbusting and her 1800's Victorian home stood tall, surrounded by the ghettos.

She lived into her mid 90's and she didn't take **** off anyone until her dying day. We would go visit every Sunday and pick up the trash out of the yard and talk about the Atlanta Braves (she lived through the '96 World Series). We always had to beep the horn and yell her name as we pulled up for fear of being shot, as her memory had all but gone.

One day, while picking up trash, my dad asked the neighbor why the neighborhood kids pulled up their pants when walking in front of her house and turned their music down and reduced their speed when driving by. Apparently Mom would sit out on her porch most of the day in a rocking chair with a shawl across her lap. When things got a little loud, disrespectful, or out of hand, she would wave this very same pistol before tucking it back into her shawl. Everyone respected Mom.

As the dementia set in, my grandfather (now 94) told her he was going to borrow her pistol and clean it for her and kept it since then. We were afraid of here shooting... well... anyone. She was tough.

Anyway.... my grandparents have had it tucked away since forever and gave it to my Dad for Christmas (his grandmother) and he immediately handed it over to me for safekeeping, cleaning, and inventorying into "our" collection that I have the honor to maintain.

Anyway... thought ya'll might like to hear about "Mom."

I have another, similar pistol I would like to know more about. Should I post it here or start new thread?

Thanks again for the information!

 

[oneounceload]

What a great backstory!

 

[Muley Gil]

Please start a new thread. It is easier to get the right details on the right gun.

 

[PNHNDLR]

Please start a new thread. It is easier to get the right details on the right gun.

Thanks for the advice!