I Found a 5 screw snub nose .32 S&W Long

[Green Frog]

Emergency plea to Hondo44: if I'm reading the numbers and list correctly my 32 HE with SN 505XXX should be late pre War, but the 2" barrel should place it at 1949 or later. This according to two different sections of the book in the 4th edition. The SN page in the back of the book puts it pre War (SN <536684) but on
page 143 where introduction of features is described I read;
*1949: Introduce 2" barrel
Something doesn't match up, but I can't figure out what!
The Curious Frog

 

[Green Frog]

Mea culpa! I can only blame my dyslexia... the snubby has a SN in the 550XXX range, so yes we're back to a 1949-50 date for my old friend. BTW, if anybody can narrow it down more, my own DOB fell in 1949. The "mystery" is resolved, but if I can get the date a little closer, it would be most helpful. TIA for any help.
Froggie

 

[charlie sherrill]

I'm another member of the post War, unImproved 32 I frame snub club. Mine is SN 505XXX,and has all the right characteristics of the age. I had it in heavy rotation for my concealed carry regime, but then one day I concealed it so well I couldn't find it! Fortunately I found it yesterday while looking for something else (I won't say where!) and it is ensconced right beside me as I type this. Welcome back old friend!
Froggie

I hate it when I misplace a gun. For years I thought I'd left a model 38 in a Florida hotel. I didn't know but my wife had loaned it to her father. It turned up 20 years later after he passed away. My son was fussing about one of his he couldn't find. I found it in the back of my safe five years later under some of my stuff.

 

[charlie sherrill]

My criminal justice college professor was a Colonel U.S. Army CID. He carried a .32 his whole career and felt safe with it. He was on one of the last flights out of Viet Nam, recently passed away at 92 and is bured at Arlington. I got one from the son of a circuit judge. It was in 38 S&W. The judge kept it after a trial where a lawyer's wife killed him with it because she got tired of his side squeeze. I got it from the judge's son. I let a friend have it, he passed away and his son won't sell it back to me. One of my weak moments. I've got several other revolvers that shoot 38 S&W, and one in .32. Just yesterday I found a bunch of 38 S&W and .32 ammo cheap at an estate sale.

 

[Hondo44]

Emergency plea to Hondo44: if I'm reading the numbers and list correctly my 32 HE with SN 505XXX should be late pre War, but the 2" barrel should place it at 1949 or later. This according to two different sections of the book in the 4th edition. The SN page in the back of the book puts it pre War (SN <536684) but on
page 143 where introduction of features is described I read;
*1949: Introduce 2" barrel
Something doesn't match up, but I can't figure out what!
The Curious Frog

I'll check on it tomorrow morning.

 

[raljr1]

Just for fun, here are "Mutt & Jeff". The RP Target dates to about the mid-'20s I believe (SN 357XXX) and its "little brother @ 505XXX may be 1949 or '50. I had the RPT at a gun show to sell, but it made it home… I may be having second thoughts now.
Froggie

Is your RP target original finish?

 

[raljr1]

Emergency plea to Hondo44: if I'm reading the numbers and list correctly my 32 HE with SN 505XXX should be late pre War, but the 2" barrel should place it at 1949 or later. This according to two different sections of the book in the 4th edition. The SN page in the back of the book puts it pre War (SN <536684) but on
page 143 where introduction of features is described I read;
*1949: Introduce 2" barrel
Something doesn't match up, but I can't figure out what!
The Curious Frog

I can try to confuse things for you. Here is a Regulation Police that shipped in 1923.It has a two inch barrel. How do you like that??


Ok, it went back to the Mother Ship in 1951 to get outfitted. Shoots pretty good at 7 yards.

 

[Green Frog]

Is your RP target original finish?

AFAIK, it's all original. It has a few little places in the blue that were damaged (before I got it) from improper storage, but overall it's very nice still. The grips are as close to pristine as I've ever seen on one. The only thing I dislike about it is the narrow front sight blade. These 74 year old peepers just have a terrible time picking it up.
Froggie
PS To all, please note my correction. The SN for little Jeff is 550XXX. It's definitely post War. I'm hoping it will prove to be 1949 vintage like its owner!

 

[Green Frog]

Apropos to my last; The Book says the 2" barrels on 32 I frames were introduced in 1949. Does anyone have a listing for where those serial numbers began? In other words, what is the lowest known SN for a 2" snub on an I frame 32?
TIA ~ Froggie

Ignore this post! As stated below, I misremembered the SN.
Green Frog

 

[Green Frog]

Hey MTGianni, since you stopped by, I'll ask whether you ever sold that 31357 bullet mould you were advertising. That was a hidden treasure!
Froggie

 

[Hondo44]

Emergency plea to Hondo44: if I'm reading the numbers and list correctly my 32 HE with SN 505XXX should be late pre War, but the 2" barrel should place it at 1949 or later. This according to two different sections of the book in the 4th edition. The SN page in the back of the book puts it pre War (SN <536684) but on
page 143 where introduction of features is described I read;
*1949: Introduce 2" barrel
Something doesn't match up, but I can't figure out what!
The Curious Frog

Apropos to my last; The Book says the 2" barrels on 32 I frames were introduced in 1949. Does anyone have a listing for where those serial numbers began? In other words, what is the lowest known SN for a 2" snub on an I frame 32?
TIA ~ Froggie

Sorry, I don't have good news for you:

519781 is the earliest 2" .32 I have in my database and it shipped March 19, 1949.
Frailer's number 539695 above is the highest number .32 of all barrel lengths that I have in my database that shipped in 1949 and it shipped in November 1949.

Also your post war service grips with round corner checkering borders, nickel plated curved post war medallions, and post war thumbpiece shape also indicate later than 1949 production and shipping.

Some 1949 shipped .32s do not have the post war sliding bar hammer block safety; they have the 2nd type pre war side plate mounted safety hammer block. Does yours have the sliding bar safety?

If it does not, that could indicate an earlier shipping date than your 550XXX serial # would typically indicate in mid 1950.

Anything is possible during this post war period.

 

[Hondo44]

Is exactly like the one I've been trying to describe including the Stocks (grips), very happy camper here.

You have a ".32 Hand Ejector Post War Transitional Model". It's a 6 screw since it has the leaf spring. Your serial number 545763 most likely shipped in the 2nd quarter of 1950.

It has the pre war style round top Service grips with the pre war checkering pattern known by the deep carved borders with the sharp corners. Definitely transitional grips because they have the post war nickel plated curved medallions instead of the prewar flat silver (chrome) medallions.

Great catch!

 

[smitholdtimer]

Thanks "Hondo 44"

Your expertise is much appreciated and your willingness to share is nothing unusual but is also Much Appreciated. I have not found an opening in the Shipping Date Requests section yet but do intend to inquire when the opportunity arises. I have not removed the side plate to determine the type of hammer block that is employed but after I have been in side I'll share that information as well as the presence of the original SN on the Right inside Stock, if it's there. Thanks very much for the help & information JIM!

To everyone who has participated & offered additional information with regard to this recently acquired .32 S&W Long Caliber "I" frame revolver, thank you for the information!

 

[2152hq]

My 32 HE 2"
#539402

A cheap priced $75 'As-Is' special at a GunShow some yrs ago as the
hammer didn't work in DA functioning.
Just a stuck to the rear DA Sear.
Fun to shoot, easy to carry for sure.

 

[Hondo44]

I have not removed the side plate to determine the type of hammer block that is employed but after I have been in side I'll share that information as well as the presence of the original SN on the Right inside Stock, if it's there. Thanks very much for the help & information JIM!

You're very welcome Sam! By the way, you won't need to remove the side plate to determine which hammer block safety you have: just look in the hammer channel as you slowly cock the hammer, if you see a bar that moves up and down it's the post war sliding bar hammer block safety. Otherwise you will see a bar moving in and out from the right side at the top of the hammer channel which is the 2nd style pre war hammer block.

 

[Green Frog]

Without taking this thread too far astray I'd like to ask a related question. How often to any of you encounter post War transitional Terriers? This is of course just a 38 S&W version of the 32 HE we've been discussing. Even with the reduction to five rounds, the I frame Terrier still carried the cachet of the smallest 38 caliber revolver ever made by S&W.

OP, if you wish, I'll start a new thread, but this seems like a natural branch for this discussion. I await your approval, although I suppose this could be classed as begging forgiveness in lieu of asking permission.

Froggie

 

[raljr1]

Without taking this thread too far astray I'd like to ask a related question. How often to any of you encounter post War transitional Terriers? This is of course just a 38 S&W version of the 32 HE we've been discussing. Even with the reduction to five rounds, the I frame Terrier still carried the cachet of the smallest 38 caliber revolver ever made by S&W.

OP, if you wish, I'll start a new thread, but this seems like a natural branch for this discussion. I await your approval, although I suppose this could be classed as begging forgiveness in lieu of asking permission.

Froggie

Apparently I had a transitional Terrier. A beauty in nickel that was a birth month gun for a fellow member and I allowed him to purchase it from me. Shipped July 1950, serial number is 55522

 

[smitholdtimer]

Without taking this thread too far astray I'd like to ask a related question. How often to any of you encounter post War transitional Terriers? This is of course just a 38 S&W version of the 32 HE we've been discussing. Even with the reduction to five rounds, the I frame Terrier still carried the cachet of the smallest 38 caliber revolver ever made by S&W.

OP, if you wish, I'll start a new thread, but this seems like a natural branch for this discussion. I await your approval, although I suppose this could be classed as begging forgiveness in lieu of asking permission.

Froggie

Hello Froggie, you have my blessings, the I frame .38 S&W's also reside here.

Edited to add: If Lee is good with it so am I!

 

[Green Frog]

Thank you, Sam. About 10 years ago I was well and truly bitten by the I frame bug with the purchase of the 32 HE snub I've discussed here. I had already bought and sold a Baby Chiefs Special early enough to have the half moon front sight and set as a goal to find another Baby and an early post War Terrier. I found a pre War Terrier and a late Baby with serrated ramp. The sights on the Baby make it easier for me to shoot, and finding the post War (transitional) Terrier proved difficult, so that was where my quest stalled. Still, my trio ain't bad!
Froggie

 

[smitholdtimer]

OK Guys, with the exception of a reply from RM Vivas.........

I have received most all the information concerning .32 Hand Ejector such as the ship date: (July 1950) & the SN on the right stock matches the Serial Number. Dr. Roy did not indicate that anything special was associated with this little gem except that it's mine! I haven't requested a letter, yet. If Mr. Vivas does have any additional pertinent information I'll respond with much appreciation, again thanks for all the interest!