Help with Value

[kewpie]

View attachment 15291

View attachment 15292

I am having trouble finding a hand for this revolver and am thinking of selling it as it stands. It looks to have been re-nickeled or nickeled over bluing since the innards are nickeled as well and the S&W logo seems to have been nickeled over (unless some were made without it.) Markings on left side of barrel are 'Smith & Wesson' over '32 LONG CTG.'

I received a letter from Jinks in the mid 70's re: its history, but have since misplaced it. IIRC it was a 3rd model HE shipped to Chicago.

Cylinder # matches one on grip frame. It locks up perfectly, has a fine bore, clean cylinders, grips numbered to frame (there is no # under the barel), very stiff DA and a fantastic SA and I am wondering if someone can give me a ballpark figure re: value. (I have more pictures, including some of the innards if need be.)

Thanks for any guidance.

Edit - I wonder if it is allowable to copy this post into the "For Sale" section or to post in that section referencing this post?

Thanks again.

 

[diamonback68]

If it is a re-nickel finish, it's a "shooter" and I would put it at $200-250 only.

 

[DCWilson]

I concur with Dick's opinion, but can you tell us the serial number? Use xx for the last two digits if you like. The stocks are quite old and may not be original to this revolver. Though worn, they may constitute the most valuable single part of the gun. Check on the back of the stocks to see if the gun's serial number is written on one panel in pencil.

Also, is the serial number located on the butt, or on the forestrap behind the trigger guard? Is the backstrap smooth, or is there a shallow shoulder in it to mate cleanly with the wood of the stocks??

The barrel looks like it has been cut, or is a replacement. I don't remember the factory making two-inch .32 barrels before WW2, though I could easily be wrong about this.

 

[kewpie]

Serial # is in grip as well as on cylinder rear and front of grip frame. (296XXX) Right grip shows slight blurring of checkering.

It is evidently a Reg Police because of the non-rounded grip frame and grips conforming to frame. (Yes, there is a 'cut' or 'shoulder' in the rear grip frame.) I don't believe the barrel has been cut due to the factory printing on the left side of the barrel being dead center to the barrel's length.

(And Re: barrel length relative to "pre WWII" the gun is a pre-WWII. Jinks' letter stated as much and unless I am mistaken the serial # should confirm same. I should have made reference to that in my original post.)

Thanks for responding.

(Edited to elminate capital letters from 'is' - I meant to italicize the word.

 

[kewpie]

Interesting.

Thanks for responding.