Info on .32 Long Hand Ejector

[DocBernard]

So I picked up this at a pawnshop for 100.00. My intention was for cleaning it up on the outside and placing it in a glass case on the wall. It was frozen solid with rust. But with some gentle tapping with a brass drift and soaking in oil, I have been able to get it stripped down and cleaned up pretty nice. It's actually in really decent shape. S/N: 42332 (all matching), no model # on yoke, 5 screw.



My questions are this:


Any idea of ship date on this? I know S&W really keep manufacturer dates close to the vest and ship dates are about as close as I can get.


One of the handles has a decent chip in it at base.....how much detraction of value if I replace handles?


Thank you in advance!!!!!!

 

[DocBernard]

Other side

Here is the opposite side

 

[thadheth]

Welcome to the Forum!
You might discover that you got a reasonable shooter grade gun at a reasonable price.
I would not spend the extra money to replace the stocks (grips), since you'll probably pay $50 for them.
I believe your gun is from shortly after 1900, although the experts will be along to correctly identify an approximate ship date.

 

[DocBernard]

Thank you. When I got it, the cylinder release was frozen solid and the hammer took 3 seconds to drop back into position after pulling trigger.


I opened it up, and other than gunk and a touch of rust, it was in pretty good shape. I'd put the barrel at 65-70%.


I am completely restoring it to it's (I assume) blued factory state (not a scrap of plating on it). I know that really kills the collector value, but like I said, I was just gonna make a wall display from it.

 

[delcrossv]

Probably 1909-1910 or so. Try soaking in a 50-50 mix of acetone and Automatic transmission fluid (grips off, of course) in a sealed container, with occasional agitation, A lot of that surface rust will disappear.

 

[jmiles1960]

There should be several DIY videos on YouTube regarding disassembly / assembly of the action. I have restored worse. You have a nice project there. I would not reblue or mess with the finish. It has a nice character. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[DocBernard]

Yeah, about that......... Tear down already done.....first 2 bluing coats done.......

 

[McShooty]

Welcome Doc. Looks like you have done well on clean up so far. But I would ask this: Do you really want it to look like new? I know it is personal, but you know, it will cost quite a bit and won't make it shoot a dang bit better.

 

[delcrossv]

Yeah, about that......... Tear down already done.....first 2 bluing coats done.......

I like it. Back from the dead! Show us what it looks like when you're done.

 

[DocBernard]

Welcome Doc. Looks like you have done well on clean up so far. But I would ask this: Do you really want it to look like new? I know it is personal, but you know, it will cost quite a bit and won't make it shoot a dang bit better.

The only real cost to me is time. I normally work a 24 on/48 off shift, so I have a bit of free time off after I get the honey-do's done.

I had a bunch of the refinishing stuff left over from another one I did for a friend. I totally understand your point, though.



But hey, I love doing these. That one wasn't a Smith though.

 

[steelslaver]

That was a steal for $100. Theey are fun little shooting guns once you get it all back together. Prvi has ammo for them during normal times. If you reload they are as cheap as it gets

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Hey Doc! Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I believe your .32 HE shipped in 1906. That would make it a Model 1903, 1st Change. Also, I think Hondo44 would say it's a 6 screw 'cuz the strain screw gets counted on the I frames. Nice job on the refinish. I'll echo what others have said about these being fun guns to shoot. Here is a picture of a couple of mine. The top one is my grandfather's .32 Regulation Police and the bottom is a .32 HE with RP grips.

 

[Green Frog]

I've never taken the time to sort out "1st change" or "3rd change" etc in my own mind, but I do look for the "sixth screw" as a touchstone to identify the leaf spring models. The OP revolver hits the mark as early and complete, so I like it! BTW, a search to immediately replace that grip panel will probably prove expensive, but if you keep your eyes open at gun shows etc, you may find an orphan grip panel when you least expect it.

Froggie

 

[LostintheOzone]

That was a steal for $100. Theey are fun little shooting guns once you get it all back together. Prvi has ammo for them during normal times. If you reload they are as cheap as it gets

'Bout as expensive as feeding a small bird. I load for 31-1.

 

[DocBernard]

Got 'er done!

It's not a perfect blue.....but I am okay with that. It is fully freed up and rust/gunk free. It does have a minor timing issue that I will tackle when I have the time and inclination to address.



I am just looking at it from the standpoint of I got some great experience by studying the cycling and linkages with this model of S&W, and turned a potential piece of scrap metal back into a functional antique firearm.



Thanks for all the advice and comments!

 

[Trooperdan]

Nice job! I'm a big fan of the .32 long!!

 

[desi2358]

Hardly looks like the same gun! Very good job on fixing up a sadly neglected piece. When you can do the work yourself it can be a fun hobby fixing up one that was in really sad shape. Get the timing issue figured out and you will have a fun little shooter!

 

[mtgianni]

I like it, it has protection from the elements and still shows character.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Nice project, Doc.

Lot of self satisfaction in what you've done. Congrats.

 

[DocBernard]

LOL. I can't leave well enough alone, apparently. Looking at some of y'alls beautiful pistols, I got jealous .....I decided to re-do da' blue.


4 treatments of a ferrobronze solution that I went all "mad scientist" in making.