Hey guys, I’ve got a Very old .32 hand ejector that my grandfather bought for my grandmother MANY years ago. The only markings on the gun are “32 LONG CTG” on the left side of the barrel, the “S&W logo” on the left side below the cylinder release thumb piece. Piece has old nickel plating which is flaking off and original hard rubber (?) S&W grips. Has four screws on the right side plate and a tension screw on the front of the grip. SN is 495xx followed by a star. Any idea when this puppy was made? Interesting family story related to the gun. I’m 72 and it was in my grandma’s wind up victrola beside her bed from as far back as I can remember until her passing in ‘91. Thanks for your help!
Help with information about an old .32
- Thread starter Shibadog
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Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! It sounds like a Model 1903, 1st Change made around 1906. The star indicates it went back to the factory for service at some time in its life. If you carefully remove the grips, don't pry or you'll break them, there may be a service date in MM.YY format stamped on the toe of the left side of the grip frame. We could use some pictures. See this for help:
Video Tutorials on Posting Pictures
Video Tutorials on Posting Pictures
OP
THANKs a Lot! Very much appreciate your response. Background story. 1921 my grandparents moved to a different state and bought a new home on the outskirts of a pretty rough little mining town. My grandma (4’11”, 90 lbs) was a tough lady but she was scared being home at night with a 5 yr old boy ( my Dad) and a 3 yr old girl while grandpa was working in the mines. Grandpa, being a good husband, bought this little Smith and a box of cartridges and showed my grandmother how to shoot. She fired 4 cylinders full, then the little revolver (loaded) was placed in the drawer of a wind up Victrola that sat by Grandma’s side of the bed. The house was an old style craftsman, with a front and rear bedroom and a screened porch all across the back (6’ off the ground on one end). The whole family knew it was there, but none of the kids ever bothered it (you did NOT mess with Grandma’s stuff
). Years go by. Grandpa passed in 1956 and Grandma was alone in the house. In 1984 (Sixty three years after she’d last fired it, my Grandma, now 89 years old was awakened by somebody working on opening the window in the back bedroom. Most folks would be scared to death-not Grandma, she grabbed that old Smith, went to the back door, opened it, and quickly fired three rounds at the would be burglar. She scared him bad enough he dove off the porch ( breaking a 2x2 frame member and landing on the ground 6’ below before rapidly exiting the area. Dad’s cousin, who lived across the street, called my Dad, and Dad called me. We drove to Grandma’s house only to find her fussing over the damaged screen on the porch. Dad asked her what happened, she told him and then said “I ain’t having anybody break into my house”
. I looked at the old gun. The brass cases were green, and the lead bullets white
. I cleaned it and she calmly reloaded it and put it back in its drawer. Stayed there until she passed in 1991. I got it AND the rest of the box (23) of cartridges. Old guns not worth anything except sentiment but I treasure it.
You need to write that down and pass it along to whoever inherits this gun. Terrific back story!
OP
You’re right. My son knows the story but it needs to be written down and stored with the old S&W. By the way, my Grandparents were from Alabama (Abernant, up near Tuscaloosa). Coal mines were plentiful there at the time.
Green Frog
Member
Shibadog, that is a wonderful family story and as you and Wiregrass Guy have discussed, it deserves to be as thoroughly documented and recorded as possible. It sounds like your grandmother was a feisty lady who would have fit in here very well. 
I would want the story done both in hard copy with the gun and a digital (with pictures) file stored safely elsewhere. BTW, pictures of Grandma (with or without the gun) should obviously be included.
That is not a gun that usually came in a presentation case, but I would be tempted to have one made for it (unless the old Victorola is still available!
)
Froggie
I would want the story done both in hard copy with the gun and a digital (with pictures) file stored safely elsewhere. BTW, pictures of Grandma (with or without the gun) should obviously be included.That is not a gun that usually came in a presentation case, but I would be tempted to have one made for it (unless the old Victorola is still available!
)Froggie
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OP
Shibadog, that is a wonderful family story and as you and Wiregrass Guy have discussed, it deserves to be as thoroughly documented and recorded as possible. It sounds like your grandmother was a feisty lady who would have fit in here very well.
That is not a gun that usually came in a presentation case, but I would be tempted to have one made for it (unless the old Victorola is still available!
Froggie
I’ve been playing with the idea of a “shadow box” for it. My little red haired Irish Grandma was a southern lady in every way, BUT she did not tolerate foolishness or stupidity and she was not one to be “pushed” or “frightened”.
Green Frog
Member
… is the Victorola not available? I wouldn’t keep the revolver on open display, and I surely wouldn’t insult your grandmother’s memory by disabling the gun just to make a display of it. It should be secure, but it should be convenient. Your Gram left that example for you.
Froggie
PS Now you’ve got me thinking about a cool but secure place to stash my house gun(s). How about in the base of a mantle clock?
Froggie
PS Now you’ve got me thinking about a cool but secure place to stash my house gun(s). How about in the base of a mantle clock?
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OP
Got one, works great. The old Victrola’s not mine unfortunately,but I’m thinking a sealed shadow o thing with her picture, the story and the old cartridge box… is the Victorola not available? I wouldn’t keep the revolver on open display, and I surely wouldn’t insult your grandmother’s memory by disabling the gun just to make a display of it. It should be secure, but it should be convenient. Your Gram left that example for you.
Froggie
PS Now you’ve got me thinking about a cool but secure place to stash my house gun(s). How about in the base of a mantle clock?
Break out your cell phone and take a few pictures. We are photo addicts.
Great story. You do not mess with a miner's lady. My bet is she hit him at least once.
Great story. You do not mess with a miner's lady. My bet is she hit him at least once.
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