Identify - 32 hand ejector?

[Jayjayaa]

Hello Everyone,
I am trying to identify a SW revolver I inherited from my great grandfather.
Is this a 32 Hand Ejector 5th change?
Any info about this gun would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[raljr1]

it is a 32 HE Model of 1903 5th change. I really like the grips. The gun is in pretty nice shape for being over 100.

Someone more knowledgeable than I may know about the grips.

 

[Truckman]

I do like the grips...I'm guessing pewter?......Ben

 

[Alk8944]

Interesting grips! I would bet they are Mexican made, and hollow. And I would expect them to be Sterling Silver rather than pewter. Take them to a plating shop and ask them to check them with their X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, or other method they may use. This method is non-destructive.

I did this several months ago with a ring that my then high school girl friend, 27 years later my wife, had given me in 1961 as a token of going steady. I had left it in a silver cleaning solution overnight and thought it had lost its plating, it looked terrible! I wanted to have it re-plated as I expected it was a base metal alloy originally silver plated, but the shop confirmed it was Sterling. I was very pleasantly surprised as the ring had only cost something like $2 when she bought it. The shop foreman volunteered to test it, and I was not charged! I lost her in Sept, 2019, and that ring is one of my most highly prized possessions!

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

I like those grips!

 

[DWalt]

.32 S&W Long ammunition is still available, but may be difficult to find. If you run across any .32 S&W ammunition, it will also work, as will .32 ACP in a pinch.

BTW, it probably was shipped from the factory around 1912-13. Cool grips but I cannot identify them.

 

[JH1951]

Welcome to the Forum from Pennsylvania.
That is a nice piece that you shared with us.

 

[Jayjayaa]

Thanks for everyone's comments and help.
Hopefully I can find the ammunition to try it.
Will check the grips if silver or pewter.

 

[Model19man]

.32 S&W Long ammunition is still available, but may be difficult to find. If you run across any .32 S&W ammunition, it will also work, as will .32 ACP in a pinch.

BTW, it probably was shipped from the factory around 1912-13. Cool grips but I cannot identify them.

Magtech 32 S&W Long is in every gun shop here. It's easy to find and plentiful. Probably more of it for sale than anyone could ever use. There are both wadcutter and lead bullet versions.

 

[JSR III]

Welcome to the forum from Massachusetts. (Former home of S&W for around 170 years)

That is a very nice looking revolver and as most here will tell you it is priceless. S&W probably made more than a couple but there is only one on the planet that was owned by your great grandfather. I own several family guns and since my girls live in NJ and CA and are not really into firearms, they will most likely leave the family and that pains me.

Those stocks (as S&W called them) are truly unique and bear further investigation. You might consider reaching out to Dr. Jinks at S&W to see if he has any ideas. He is probably one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet when it comes to S&W's. He may not know because they are not made by S&W but he has seen more than all of us put together.

I truly hope that the gun stays in your family.