I-frame .32 Long

[tenntex32]

I've looked at what appears to be a S&W 1903 I-frame .32 Long in a local shop.

Am I right in calling it a model 1903 I-frame? Also is there a change number for this specific revolver?

Approx DOM and value?

Thanks,
Dale

 

[JP@AK]

A very nice one!

It is a Third Model, made in about 1919, shortly before heat treatment of the cylinders began.

I believe I would suggest picking that one up if the price is reasonable.

 

[tenntex32]

They shop has $299+tax on it, but it's a consignment piece from an estate sale and they have been very flexible on pricing with everything else from the estate that I have purchased.

I'm fairly confident I can get it for $250 total as the shop owner seems concerned about it not selling due to the caliber. As a handloader I'm not that concerned about the caliber and/or the lack of uber ammo availability.

It seems like I read quite a bit about the older sub-38spl caliber guns going for dirt cheap. It looks like a nice little revolver to me, just in need of a proper cleaning. Everything appears to function as it should.

Dale

 

[delcrossv]

Here's my third model in nickel. They're great little guns. IMO $250 is a bargain.

Iframe 3rd model 1919

 

[JP@AK]

They shop has $299+tax on it, but it's a consignment piece from an estate sale and they have been very flexible on pricing with everything else from the estate that I have purchased.

I'm fairly confident I can get it for $250 total

Hey! That is a buy in my book. I don't collect I frame guns, but I'd purchase that one for <$300 without much thought.

As far as .32 Long ammo goes, I don't have any trouble at all finding factory rounds. I don't load for it (yet) but will probably start now that I have some guns to shoot it out of. I didn't own one for many years. But once you have one, well . . .

 

[NovaJoe]

I've looked at what appears to be a S&W 1903 I-frame .32 Long in a local shop.

Am I right in calling it a model 1903 I-frame? Also is there a change number for this specific revolver?

Approx DOM and value?

Thanks,
Dale

I agree that it's on the I-Frame. I believe that at the time, S&W called it the .32 Hand Ejector. SCSW4 calls it .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 (. 32 Hand Ejector, 2nd Model). Yours would be .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 – 3rd Change.

 

[CptCurl]

I'd be on that like ugly on an ape! (Sorry Handejector!)

Curl

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Oh yea anything less than 300 bucks is a real bargain for that revolver .One warning though the 32s are quite addictive .

 

[steelslaver]

Oh yea anything less than 300 bucks is a real bargain for that revolver .One warning though the 32s are quite addictive .

I will agree with tthe addictive part. Between top breaks, I frames and J frames, I have a bunch of them. Cheap to buy and shoot.

 

[Green Frog]

At $250 or so, that would be a nice find at a bargain price. If you reload, the dies are easy to find and the same price as any other pistol caliber. Buying bullets can be a bit of a challenge, but if you also cast your own bullets, the tiny amount of lead in each one, the cat sneeze charges of powder you use for each round, and the near immortality of the under stressed brass make this caliber ridiculously cheap to load for. I've got an even half dozen of them in various frames and barrel lengths, and each has its own particular charm. I'm even thinking of building a custom project on one of them as discussed in the gunsmithing forum. I'd snap that one up like a frog with a mayfly!

Froggie

 

[oneounceload]

32 bullets can be had from a variety of places. I have 2, sold another one to a member here a few years ago. I like the 32SWL; you're looking at 2.0 grains or less of powder, so an 8# jug could last you your lifetime!

 

[Beecherkid]

This is my late pre-war .32 Hand Ejector, Third Model. It lettered being shipped well after WWII was over.


It gets shot occasionally but I find that it takes to much to keep clean, and I have other target .32's to fill the bill.


The above post was spot on about the 8 pound jug, as less than 2 grains of Bullseye powder per cartridge lasts awhile.

 

[JP@AK]

Yours would be .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 – 3rd Change.

Go back and look at the serial number. It is six digits, beginning with 311. The Model 1903 "Third Change" was clear down in the five digit numbers and shipped in the 1910 period.

This one is a .32 Hand Ejector Third Model, from about 1919. Look at Post #2 in this thread.

 

[JP@AK]

NovaJoe
You might want to read my Post #9 in this thread:

(More) Help with Identification

 

[daddio202]

Nice gun and good price I would get it to be a fun shooter. Just wanted to add I have recently purchased some 32 caliber projectiles from Badman Bullets to try. The nice feature they have is you can buy 25 unit sample packs to try various bullets to see what is best in your particular gun. I am trying 100 grain and 115 grain to see what is best in my 32-20. $250 will be great if you can get it.

 

[Muley Gil]

Here's my third model in nickel. They're great little guns. IMO $250 is a bargain.

Iframe 3rd model 1919

I have one that is identical to yours. Great little guns, aren't they?

 

[delcrossv]

I have one that is identical to yours. Great little guns, aren't they?

You bet!

 

[tenntex32]

Thanks guys. I've got an all day gunshow to attend with the B-I-L and nephews tomorrow. Assuming I get through that relatively unscathed I may go by Monday and pick it up.

I feel it will clean up very nicely.

Dale

 

[tjpopkin]

I have had as many as 80of these guns.....remarkably accurate and the best light load that is commercially available is: FIOCCHI 100 gr. wadcutters. If you need vintage ammo (Remington-Peters) that dates to the gun, I have plenty, so Email me at" [email protected].
Buy the gun @ $250.00, but check the bore toes that it was not neglected after shooting old black powder loads.....

 

[tenntex32]

I have had as many as 80of these guns.....remarkably accurate and the best light load that is commercially available is: FIOCCHI 100 gr. wadcutters. If you need vintage ammo (Remington-Peters) that dates to the gun, I have plenty, so Email me at" [email protected].
Buy the gun @ $250.00, but check the bore toes that it was not neglected after shooting old black powder loads.....

Barrel condition is fine. I looked it over thoroughly yesterday. I may take you up on that vintage ammo offer if the shop still has it when I get back over there.

Thanks,
Dale