model 30-1

[momscool]

Hello to All
Just signed up because my mom is cool. Hence the name. She just gave me my great uncle's 30-1. Is she cool or what? The serial number is on the butt and is 8227XX. It looks like the last time it was fired was at the factory. Somewhere along the line he replaced the wood with rubber. There isn't a scratch on her. Any info on her would be great.

 

[yogipogi]

This model began production in 1961 and stopped in 1970
serial numbers start at 712954 and stop at 826977 so yours is toward the end of the run. Current Smith and Wesson catalog lists as new in the box at $375. Would help if you had the original grips and box. Seems like market prices are a little higher than the catalog states though. Hope that helps

 

[KEN L]

We realize you are new here so we're gonna cut you a little slack, but.....

So, please post some pics so we can all see just how cool your mom is!

 

[momscool]

30-1

This model began production in 1961 and stopped in 1970
serial numbers start at 712954 and stop at 826977 so yours is toward the end of the run. Current Smith and Wesson catalog lists as new in the box at $375. Would help if you had the original grips and box. Seems like market prices are a little higher than the catalog states though. Hope that helps

Thank you very much. I'm going to shoot it, clean it and lock it in the safe. My son will get it when it's time. Wish I had the box and grips too. Any place that you know of to get a nice set of close to original grips?

 

[Hondo44]

Cool mom's son,

Welcome to the forum.

yogipogi is correct, the value of yours is closer to $500-$600 now with original grips. Correct style wood grips are easy to find for that model, on this forum or on-line auctions. But 1st we need to date your gun by the serial number. It's right near the end of production without the H prefix, so probably 1970. They were continued with the new H prefix serial range until 1976. The grips would not have a large diamond around the screw hole and any J frame grips would work regardless of which model or caliber gun they came from. Do not get I frame grips, they are two short. They look like these on Rich's gun:

Your .32 Hand Ejector is the 1st and oldest S&W hand ejector and was introduced in 1896. They were built on the smaller I frame until 1961 and became the Model 30 in 1957. The Mod 30 got the - 1 in 1961 when they were switched to the J frame. Discontinued in 1976 but re-introduced by 1990 with the capability of shooting not only the 32 S&W short & Long and .32 ACP cartridges, but also the 32 H&R Magnum. The current model 632 will also shoot the .327 Federal Magnum!

 

[momscool]

It's becoming more and more obvious that I came to the right place. It's loaded with magsafes at the moment and sitting in the safe. You guys have been very helpful. The pics I just posted are indicative of the fact that no one would ever pay me to take pictures. Sorry about that.

 

[momscool]

MY NEW BABY!

Thanks for all of the info. I just received a set of appropriate grips. Are Tyler T's worth it? Here are some new pics with the new(old) grips.

 

[M29since14]

Somebody's been a little mean to those stocks with the sandpaper but to answer your question about the T-grip, you probably don't need it for the little .32, though it won't hurt anything either. .32s are not known for being knuckle-bangers.

 

[hotrod150]

Those look like they were originally uncheckered to me-- seems like there'd be less meat there once the factory checkering was sanded smooth.
While I like the look of factory magnas, they don't fit my hands well and grip adapters with them don't do much for me either. My favorite grips are the uncle mikes boots, long discontinued but S&W still has some at $15 a set.

 

[momscool]

Those look like they were originally uncheckered to me-- seems like there'd be less meat there once the factory checkering was sanded smooth.
While I like the look of factory magnas, they don't fit my hands well and grip adapters with them don't do much for me either. My favorite grips are the uncle mikes boots, long discontinued but S&W still has some at $15 a set.

I might like the boots. The wood grip seller assures me that they are originals and weren't checkered.

 

[M29since14]

The wood grip seller assures me that they are originals and weren't checkered.

Ha-ha! I hope you were able to refrain from laughing at him.

 

[Hondo44]

They resemble factory quite a bit. Might have been semi-finished at the factory and came out in a lunch pail???

 

[momscool]

They resemble factory quite a bit. Might have been semi-finished at the factory and came out in a lunch pail???

That could be. For some reason though I kind of like them. My meat cleaver hand makes them disappear but it feels good.

 

[Cholo]

momscool, you'll love your 30-1 as much as I do mine!

I'm curious why it's been posted 2x that they were discontinued in '70. I have an H706xx 4" 30-1 that I roughly date to late '72 or '73.

Am I missing something?

 

[momscool]

momscool, you'll love your 30-1 as much as I do mine!

I'm curious why it's been posted 2x that they were discontinued in '70. I have an H706xx 4" 30-1 that I roughly date to late '72 or '73.

Am I missing something?

I'm not sure. Mom's memory isn't what it used to be, but she told me that my grandfather accompanied my uncle to make the purchase. My grandfather passed in 1967. He was unable to walk for two years prior to that, so I'm a little confused. But not confused enough to pay S&W 50 bucks to make sure LOL

 

[Cholo]

Your non prefix gun is dated correctly, but you can still send me $50 just for the heck of it Mine has a H before the serial #, yet it's still a 30-1 J Frame. I also have a '20's I Frame HE .32 long. Somehow your J Frame fits in between both of mine. I'm wondering what's changed between yours and mine but really don't want to hijack your thread. Those 32 longs are just so much fun to shoot!

 

[TACC1]

momscool, here's a tip o' the hat to Mom.
If you should decide to go with a grip adaptor,
you've got a choice between the Tyler T-grips,
and the BKGRIPS adaptor. I have both, and do like them,
although the factory grips on a steel gun work just fine, too.
TACC1

 

[momscool]

momscool, here's a tip o' the hat to Mom.
If you should decide to go with a grip adaptor,
you've got a choice between the Tyler T-grips,
and the BKGRIPS adaptor. I have both, and do like them,
although the factory grips on a steel gun work just fine, too.
TACC1

Thanks for the tip o' the hat! Don't know how much longer we will have her but she's hanging in there for almost 87! She still beats me at scrabble and does the times crossword everyday. My uncle was here for 102 or 104 years depending on which record you accept. So, longevity is in the family somewhere! I'll check out the BKGRIPS.

 

[Hondo44]

Your non prefix gun is dated correctly, but you can still send me $50 just for the heck of it Mine has a H before the serial #, yet it's still a 30-1 J Frame. I also have a '20's I Frame HE .32 long. Somehow your J Frame fits in between both of mine. I'm wondering what's changed between yours and mine but really don't want to hijack your thread. Those 32 longs are just so much fun to shoot!

Hi Cholo,

I have corrected my post #5 because it was confusing as written. The 30-1s picked up a new serial range with the letter H prefix after the Gun Control Act of 1968 requiring letters in serial numbers. Old inventory guns w/o prefixes continued to ship into 1970 like 'momscool' gun.

But the model 30-1 was exactly the same before and after the serial number changes until 1976 when the model was discontinued. If it had continued in production as did the model 31-1 (sq butt) until 1991, it would have received some of the following evolutionary changes which it's replacement, the 632, and all other continued Smith models received:

Stock numbering ceased: c. 1979
Pinned barrel and recessed chamber features ceased: c. 1982
Stock washers eliminated: 1984/85
Wide smooth .312” combat trigger became standard: 1986
New yoke retention screw: 1988
New ratchet shape: 1996
J Magnum frame: 1996
MIM parts including new thumbpiece: 1997
Internal key lock: 2001

Hope that helps,

 

[momscool]

Hi Cholo,

I have corrected my post #5 because it was confusing as written. The 30-1s picked up a new serial range with the letter H prefix after the Gun Control Act of 1968 requiring letters in serial numbers. Old inventory guns w/o prefixes continued to ship into 1970 like 'momscool' gun.

But the model 30-1 was exactly the same before and after the serial number changes until 1976 when the model was discontinued. If it had continued in production as did the model 31-1 (sq butt) until 1991, it would have received some of the following evolutionary changes which it's replacement, the 632, and all other continued Smith models received:

Stock numbering ceased: c. 1979
Pinned barrel and recessed chamber features ceased: c. 1982
Stock washers eliminated: 1984/85
Wide smooth .312” combat trigger became standard: 1986
New yoke retention screw: 1988
New ratchet shape: 1996
J Magnum frame: 1996
MIM parts including new thumbpiece: 1997
Internal key lock: 2001

Hope that helps,

So mine was sitting in a warehouse after manufacture somewhere between 1961 and 1970? Or did it still preceed 1961? Forgive my continued state of confusion.

 

[Hondo44]

It is confusing!

No, the dates in the serial # lists are when the gun was completed and I'm still sure yours was 1970. But its frame was already stamped with the serial number and in the production process in '69 or '70 or completed and in the vault by the time the new serial number series with H prefix began. There's always a transition period for changes.

 

[momscool]

It is confusing!

No, the dates in the serial # lists are when the gun was completed and I'm still sure yours was 1970. But its frame was already stamped with the serial number and in the production process in '69 or '70 or completed and in the vault by the time the new serial number series with H prefix began. There's always a transition period for changes.

Oh ok! Now I'm clear. So estimated value is somewhere between 400.00 and 600.00?

 

[Hondo44]

Yes.

My only 30-1, 4" barrel from 1966 with target sights, hammer, trigger and grips added.

 

[momscool]

Yes.

My only 30-1, 4" barrel from 1966 with target sights, hammer, trigger and grips added.

Nice piece! All original?

 

[Hondo44]

Thank you!

No the model 30s were not made with any of the target accessories, had to add them, plus the sculpted pre war "double pinch" thumb piece in place of the flat latch.

 

[DWFAN]

I do prefer the 30 model in three inch but this is the only -1 I own.
DW

 

[Hondo44]

I do prefer the 30 model in three inch but this is the only -1 I own.
DW

DW,
Beautiful! That's exactly what mine looked like before changes.
I too prefer the 3" (or 3 1/4" with round sight and prior).

LEFT SIDE:
.32 HE pre-war I frame Model 1903-5th Change, 1913 top left,
.32 Regulation Police Transitional I Frame, 1949 next,
.32 HE Improved I Frame w/Rd sight, 1951 bottom.

RIGHT SIDE:
.32 HE Improved I w/ramp sight & barrel rib, 1953 top right,
.32 R.P. Model of 1953 New I frame, 1954 next,
.32 R.P. Target Transitional I, 1957,
.32 R.P. J frame Model 31-1, sq. butt, 1980 bottom.

 

[Retired W4]

Cholo, I did not realize your hearing loss was so severe but now I understand the depths of this thread. If only I could transmit the cool factor to my little 30-1 deal.

Today was one of my best gun show days... for many reasons.

 

[Cholo]

Hondo, you're always such a wealth of info both on here and the other Forum. Thanks!

R-W4, I've had the hearing loss since I was a kid. I just explain it to people with a laugh and they understand. Seriously, I believe it came before I got extreme pleasure with things that made really loud noises