need some help getting info on my most recent aquisition.. S&W model 32-1

[PunisherBane]

my father in law recently had a heart attack and quad bypass so he'll be out of commission for a bit while he recovers so ive been takin care of the house and yard work etc etc for him.. well today he hands me this old S&W model 32-1 chambered in .38S&W, not .38 Special, .38S&W.... a round that seems to be pretty hard to find.... she's old, seen a bit of miles,hasnt had the bestof care over the years but she shoots beautifully





on a side note if anyone could help me find out what year it was made, id greatly appreciate it. my father in law got it as a private sale at a gun show a few years ago and doesnt know much about it.... the only thing i know is that its a model 32-1 and the serial number on the bottom of the grip is R133XX... the number on the yolk is 71597 with some other markings i cant really make out.. 3 screws, the blue finish has some wear and tear but i can live with it, gives it character. 1 7/8" pinned barrel.... any help , like i said would be greatly appreciated
untill then... im in search for some ammo for it and probably get my ccw with it. w00!

 

[murphydog]

The model 32 is supposed to have an H prefix, so perhaps it was mis-stamped? In either case, it is probably a 1969-'70 shipped gun. Buffalo Bore just came out with a .38 S & W defense load that looks promising, and the big factory load (146 gr at 700 fps or so) is out there periodically.

 

[Green Frog]

The 32-1 is a good little gun that, because of ammo availability issues, is not as popular as it might be. In earlier times it was called the "Terrier" and you might find some reference to it as that still. Of course the big negative is that when the small frame guns were all converted to J-frame, it lost its one biggest selling point, being the smallest "modern" S&W in 38 caliber... it's just like a 38 special Chief's Special only with lower power, harder to find ammo. That's what did it in, I would postulate.

Regardless, it's a quality gun and will be fine for the purpose you intend, particularly with "high performance" ammo like the Buffalo Bore™ mentioned. Hope your FIL will enjoy improved health to shoot it with you!

Regards,
Froggie