Model of 1903 .32 Hand Ejector 6" Nickel

[Nframe_is_no1]

I found a really interesting one today at the LGS! It is a model 1903 .32 Hand Ejector 2nd change. Serial number is 61xxx, dating it to around 1907. What's really interesting about this one is that it's a 6" in nickel finish with target stocks! The finish is definitely factory because the ejector nub and ejector star are blued, and the hammer and trigger are case-colored as they should be. I just wish the nickel had survived in better shape. This poor old girl looks to be a victim of poor storage. As if the 6" nickel wasn't an odd enough configuration, it was wearing a beautiful set of bakelite target stocks which are absolutely perfect! They are a duplicate of the ones used on the Bekeart model and later .22/.32 heavy frame target, except for being made out of hard rubber instead of wood. I have seen pictures of these stocks on the break open single shots, but have never seen a pair in person until today. I have two more of these with 6" barrels, but they both are blue with the usual little round butt hard rubber service stocks (see how addictive this can be!). I took a chance on the old girl when it was offered to me for $250 +tax because the bore and chambers were immaculate and the lock up tight and smooth. I have a soft spot for these with the long barrel because it looks like a buntline! The other reason I took a chance on it is because this seems to me to be an odd combination of features that I've never run into before in all my years of collecting these. I couldn't even find another 6" nickel when I searched online. The old girl can shoot! I got 3 Xs at 25 yards with Privi Partizan 98 gr LRN! Anyone know if these stocks could have been ordered with the gun way back then? If not, they are certainly period correct. Here are the obligatiory pics:

 

[Muley Gil]

Are they numbered on the inside?

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

Great question! When I get a moment, I'll take them off and look.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

I just carefully removed the stocks because my curiosity was killing me. They are not numbered. There was nothing written on the inside of either grip panel. The revolver is the usual round butt under the stocks. I also checked my SCSW 4th edition and it does mention "round butt or extension type square buttstock of checkered black hard rubber with S&W monograms", so I guess you could have ordered target stocks back then. Regardless, they look and feel great and their fit is superb.

 

[opoefc]

This type of HR Target stocks did not received factory numbering, to my knowledge. Also, this gun is not a target model , so probably would have shipped with standard service stocks, probably HR, but could have been wood, however a customer could have requested target stocks thru the S&W distributor, or the distributor's gun store customer. The most likely scenario is that a prior owner added the target stocks as they do make shooting the gun accurately much easier. The factory stocking room production logs for the 61,XXX serial range .32 HEs, in 1907 do not list what the stock material was, just whether the guns were blue or plated ( nickel ) Ed

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

Thank you so much for the information! Seems just like the later targets that weren't numbered either. I really appreciate it! That is so unbelievably cool that you have access to the original factory production logs from back then!

 

[Green Frog]

Careful! About 40 years ago I traded for a very similar looking one… a Regulation Police model with the same incomplete nickel plate. I've lost count of how many I frames have passed through my hands since, but I still have that one for its sentimental value. I have at least a couple that I shoot regularly, but they've had an amazing tendency to follow me home.

Froggie

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

I hear you completely Froggie! These things have a tendency to follow me home too. I just can't resist them!

 

[wraco]

I have one of them with similar stocks.

 

[Heinz]

Thanks for posting. An elegant older S&W, still capable of delivering Xs at 25 yards, who cares that her skin has gotten a bit rough

 

[DGNY]

To the OP, great story of being "returned to life" and in the hands of an appreciative new custodian. Thank you. And perhaps that .32 is echoing such sentiments, as it continues to place 98 grain rounds into the X ring.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

wraco,

That is a beautiful revolver! I love how the true blue color of the bluing shows in the cylinder flutes!

Heinz,
Well said! That was a really good way of putting it! Thanks for the response!

DGNY,

Thank you for the compliment! I really appreciate what you said. It was beautiful!

Thank y