Looking for information

dorglet

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2012
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
I have just been given a S&W revolver. It says "32 long CTG" and I found the number "247862" on the cylinder. It is silver in color.
Can any one give me any information as to when it was made and what the value would be ??
Thank you for any help.
 
1. Need pictures or a better description--barrel length, sights, ect....

2. What is the number on the bottom of the grip? That is the serial number which can be used to find date of birth.

3. Need pictures...............
 
pictures

serial number on bottom on grips is 7030
 

Attachments

  • gun 002.JPG
    gun 002.JPG
    63.9 KB
  • gun 003.JPG
    gun 003.JPG
    65.3 KB
  • gun 006.JPG
    gun 006.JPG
    68.6 KB
  • gun 010.JPG
    gun 010.JPG
    59.7 KB
INFO 32 LONG CTG

VERY NICE LOOKING MODEL 1903 HE. MADE BEFORE 1961. IS IN NICKLE. I OWN 3 DATING FROM 1903-1930.
 
you have a 32HE, 2nd model. it is the first iteration of the handejector with the thumblatch piece, and locking lug for the extractor rod. it is from the first 2 years of production, most likely from the first year, 1903. the earlier (first) hand ejectors (1896) were serial numbered similarly, but they didn't have the thumblatch on the side.

it is an interesting little gun! at first glance, i thought it had been renickeled, but the more i look at the pics, i think it may be original. i would just have to hold it in my hand and look it over carefully to decide. these guns don't tend to bring very high prices, but it does represent the first generation of "thumblatch" handejectors, which continue to today. the nickel finish is a little more rare than blue, too, i would say. where is the 6 digit number on the cylinder? the cylinder may have been replaced at some point. it should have the matching serial number to the butt. the gun is from the era before the cylinder was heat-treated, and someone may have had the cylinder replaced with one from a later gun, at some point. who knows?

it is a neat little 32. if the nickel appears to be original, and everything works correctly, i think it might bring 350.00. if the cylinder has been replaced, or the nickel has been redone, or it doesn't function right, i'd say 200.00ish.

on digging a little deeper, i think the 247862 serial range was STILL before the heat-treating, so the cylinder may have just replaced a damaged cylinder, even before they made the improvement. at any rate, i wouldn't shoot anything very potent out of it. i realize this sounds silly with the 32 cartridge! they are not much of a buffalo-stopper at any loading, but it pays to be careful with these older pre-heat-treat guns!

anyway, thanks for the pics, and a big welcome to the forum. i will warn you that s&ws can tend to become very addictive!
 
where is the 6 digit number on the cylinder?

When I swing the cylinder open, I can read the number on the flat surface of the cylinder that is facing towards me. So that would be the flat surface facing the hammer.
 
Back
Top