Model of 1903 Hand Ejector Heirloom

[TDC29]

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post.

I recently had a 32 Long I-frame revolver passed down to me. It was my grandfather's, who was a policeman. He passed away several decades ago, so I don't have a lot of history about this gun. I've been researching and here's what I think I know about it. However, I appreciate anyone who wants to comment with new information, or correct what I have here, please do so. Most of my information came from an article by Ed Buffaloe? I will post the link to that article if it's allowed on the forum.

The serial number on the butt is 68xxx. I think that places it as a second change, probably around 1907. The bottom of the barrel has a matching serial no., but there is a third number stamped on the frame under the yoke, which is 23xxx. There doesn't appear to be any numbers on the cylinder as I've seen pictures of elsewhere.

The top of the 4.25" barrel is stamped with the following:

SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. USA
PAT'D APRIL 9, 1889, MARCH 27, 1894
AUG.4.1896. DEC.22.1896. OCT.8.1901
DEC.17.1901 SEPT.2.1902. JULY.7.1903

According to the article by Ed Buffaloe, this was the same barrel stamping on the first change, and some earlier versions of the second change may have used some of the earlier barrels.

The hand grips are a mystery so far. They appear to be onyx or alabaster. There is no checkering, but there is a raised pattern which closely resembles that of the original S&W hand grips I have seen pictures of, with a "diamond" pattern forming around the grip screw. These grips are old, with faint but visible tool marks on the carving which are not like anything of modern era work, suggesting they were hand carved. I would like to know if anyone has seen this before and if these were S&W original grips and could have possibly been shipped from the factory.

It's in remarkably good shape considering how old it is. Some of the nickel finish is gone from holster wear over the years, but there is no significant corrosion where it is missing. The barrel has a little roughness, but the rifling is clean and well defined, and there is no major pitting in the barrel. The lock up is very tight and everything appears to be serviceable. If I was inclined, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot it.

I'm not really looking for a value since it will never be for sale. What I would really like is any information or details that experts on this model and era of Smith & Wesson revolvers would be willing to share.

I would like to post some pictures, but it looks like I need an account with an online picture sharing site. Any suggestions here? I'm not sure which ones will or won't allow gun pics.

Thanks!

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[Truckman]

I would like to post some pictures, but it looks like I need an account with an online picture sharing site. Any suggestions here? I'm not sure which ones will or won't allow gun pics.

Thanks!

Posting pics is easier than you think......Ben

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Here's help on pictures:
Video Tutorials on Posting Pictures

 

[mrcvs]

According to your description, it sounds like your stocks are mother of pearl.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

According to your description, it sounds like your stocks are mother of pearl.

I think his description is for well worn hard rubber stocks.

 

[mrcvs]

I think his description is for well worn hard rubber stocks.

Yes, probably, now that I reread the post. The OP did describe onyx or alabaster and that sounded like mother of pearl to me.

 

[Joenomad]

Welcome from Arkansas

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Yes, probably, now that I reread the post. The OP did describe onyx or alabaster and that sounded like mother of pearl to me.

Yes, but he also says it has a diamond around the escutcheon which would not be on pearls. Onyx is black.

 

[TDC29]

Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement. I have successfully uploaded some pictures. Sorry about the delay.

 

[mh51]

Welcome to the forum. Check back later for some great info from some very knowledgeable folks.
I'm glad to hear it won't be for sale....that's family history from a lot of years!

 

[Truckman]

From the pics I'd guess micarta, or a similar material...It looks like the favorite of John Wayne for his movie sixgun......Ben

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Catalin yellow polymer resin grips. The gun appears to have been plated outside the factory.

 

[Truckman]

Catalin yellow polymer resin grips.

Thanks, Guy, that's the word I was trying to think of......Ben

 

[H Richard]

Look at the design on the stocks, I believe they are original hard rubber, one of the colored sets that were available, a lot on the I Frames. I had a pair of the Red Mottled, there were also (I think), green and blue, and the yellow.

The second from the bottom is the red.

 

[4K2022]

Welcome TDC29,, IF you’re confident in evaluating the operation of a revolver, assess this one as safe to shoot, and have the desire to shoot it you can use any currently manufactured .32 long ammunition.
This is a parts gun! It appears the yoke, cylinder and ejector are from a different revolver. The 23XXX stamped on the frame under the yoke is an assembly number, there should be a matching number on the yoke itself. The frame and hammer appear to be refinished, the hammer should be case color hardened. The difference in appearance between the cylinder, yoke and frame is obvious, you may find their original serial numbers under the ejector star and on the edge of the yoke facing the cylinder. You’d have to look through a cylinder charge hole to see the number on the yoke.
The stocks/grips are “beyond me” but I like ‘em,,, they ,,, “go with the gun”.
I’d value this little S&W as PRICELESS,, given the family history you’ve described! Especially the law enforcement connection,, which makes me believe it was assembled by someone (competent gunsmith) that knew what they were doing. To ME that would boost my confidence in loading her up and imagining Grandpa hearing her go BANG a few more times.

 

[TDC29]

Thanks guys for the great feedback!

I had never heard of Catalin until I looked it up. That does indeed appear to be likely what they are made of. That would also explain the tool marks, since Catalin could be carved and shaped. The Wiki article mentions that it will yellow with age, so I'm guessing the original color and pattern may have been white and made to look like mother of pearl. In fact, my relative who gave this to me thought that it was mother of pearl, but the gun was stashed and hadn't been seen in a very long time (maybe 40 years). Hey, if it's good enough for the Duke! They do give it an interesting character. Thanks Wiregrassguy!

I'm a little disappointed to hear that it was a "project gun." Not so much for myself as for you guys. I was hoping it would be something special for the forum. I do know my Grandpa did shoot some kind of competition. I'm not sure if they were local police matches or regional. But, I could easily see him having this gun set up by a good smith to be a shooter. I was having a hard time trying to figure out how they could make such a precise action over 100 years ago. You can just feel it when you pick it up and work the trigger and hammer, and the lock up is nothing short of perfect. I'm a gun guy, but this is the first S&W I've owned, and it's mechanically as good or better than the best modern revolver I own. I have a LOT of respect for S&W!

The cylinder and yoke definitely have a patina that doesn't match the rest of the plating, and that's a great detail about the hammer being plated. I've looked again through one of the charge holes to see the numbers on the yoke, and they are 297xxx. That same number is on the underside of the ejector star, too, so definitely a replacement yoke and cylinder. Six digits, so a much later date of manufacture. Thanks 4K2022!

It looks like he "dressed it up" with the hand grips and had it plated. That would make sense as a police officer, he probably wanted it to look sharp with the uniform.

My grandfather was born in 1907, but his father was also a police officer. There's a chance that this was my great Grandpa's revolver that he passed down to my Grandpa. I don't think there will ever be a way to prove or disprove that, but it is an interesting possibility. I think the Model of 1903 was a police standard back then, but I'll have to find out if the city they worked for used it. I'm pretty sure they did. By today's standard, the 32 Long seems awfully light for police use. But the average bad guy back then wasn't nearly as dangerous as the bad guys we have today.

This is off topic, but just to give you an idea of what type of character my Grandpa was. He bought a Model 29, I think in 1956 or 57. I'm pretty sure it was the first full production year of the 29. My brother has it, along with the original receipt and a copy of the letter from the Chief giving him permission to carry it as his duty weapon. I think he paid $150 for it new. I'm not sure how many cops carried a .44 mag back then, but my Grandpa did! So this 1903 is very very special to me.

Thank you for all the help so far!

 

[4K2022]

Thanks guys for the great feedback!

This is off topic, but just to give you an idea of what type of character my Grandpa was. He bought a Model 29, I think in 1956 or 57. I'm pretty sure it was the first full production year of the 29. My brother has it, along with the original receipt and a copy of the letter from the Chief giving him permission to carry it as his duty weapon. I think he paid $150 for it new. I'm not sure how many cops carried a .44 mag back then, but my Grandpa did! So this 1903 is very very special to me.

Thank you for all the help so far!

Thank you for sharing the insight into the family history, of these old Smiths. It’s often said, Buy the gun Not the story! BUNK!! I believe every gun has a story,,,, sad to say most go untold. You and your brother have quite a story to preserve for the generations to come, I think that’s awesome.

I agree Your Grandfather appears to be quite a character (quoting you) , the kind of guy that carried a 44 on his hip, and MAYBE a .32 in his “Wellington!”