How old is this .32?

[WillyT]

My wife's riding sidearm has been a S&W .32 Long CTG Hand Ejector Ser #261XXX. The barrel Ser. # agrees. The first patent date in the long string of dates is Oct 8, 01 while the last is Dec 29, 14. Wooden grips w/squared off butt. Sorry but no photos available at present. We are retiring it from service on the horse trails and have replaced it with a S&W 642 Airweight using Hornady Critical Defense +P rounds. She doesn't mind the sting! Maybe 1917? Thank You and I hope someone can nail it down for us.
willyt

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum, Willy.

You're pretty close: # 258001 is the lowest serial number known of a .32 RP in April 1917 and 266XXX shipped in 1918.

She has a .32 Regulation Police Model, introduced in 1917, so possibly a first year shipped gun, but could be a few years later if it didn't get shipped out before WW I began. And they didn't ship in numerical order. It should have genuine gold plated medallions recessed in the walnut stocks.

It's virtually the same as and made concurrently with the .32 Hand Ejector Model 1903 - 5th Change, except the HE has a round butt.

 

[glowe]

Does the revolver have the serial number on the front of the butt-frame? I ask because your description of a squared off butt can mean different things to different people. Also, the RP that Jim is referring to would have extended stocks that covered the bottom of the butt-frame. Just wanted to make sure . . .

 

[WillyT]

Jim and Gary,

Thank You so much. Jim, Yes, it has the gold plated medallions. Gary, Yes, the walnut grips extend across the base and cover completely. My wife finished her CCW training today at the "range" and the instructor was impressed by the fact that the .32 was so old and the action so smooth. I guess at 98 YO it ought to be. She also fired the new 642 Airweight and used it for close quarter drill and weak hand. It was all good.

 

[les.b]

Willy, although from different eras, those are both fine firearms. Hang on to that Registered Police.... They ain't making them anymore!!! I have both a vintage model such as yours, and one of the latest made, IIRC seventies vintage. Both fine firearms, but the 642 is probably much more the effective choice for an EDC. Best,

 

[Hondo44]

Jim and Gary,

Thank You so much. Jim, Yes, it has the gold plated medallions. Gary, Yes, the walnut grips extend across the base and cover completely. My wife finished her CCW training today at the "range" and the instructor was impressed by the fact that the .32 was so old and the action so smooth. I guess at 98 YO it ought to be. She also fired the new 642 Airweight and used it for close quarter drill and weak hand. It was all good.

You're welcome. The gold medallion stocks are correct for your vintage gun.

And congrats to your wife!