old .32 auto

[TheDan]

A couple years ago my FIL bought two storage containers from the estate of someone who apparently had a hording issue, lol... We've been slowing working on cleaning the containers out so we can use them. In one of the many boxes filled with tax returns from the 70's I found this box. I nearly threw it away as I assumed it just contained old Christmas cards, but the rattle it had to it intrigued me. Check out what was inside...

I know it's a S&W .32 Automatic made sometime between 1922 and 1936, but I don't know much else. I managed to get all the rust out of it and re-applied some semblance of a finish, but the pitting from the rust is rather bad in some spots. I figured out how all the larger bits go together, but getting the lockwork reassembled without a diagram will be more challenging. Does anyone have a diagram for this little guy?

 

[824tsv]

Too cool!,
I have always found those pistols quite interesting. I've never had one, but would enjoy the chance of getting one someday. I can't help with the re-assembly, but I wonder why it was taken apart? I hope you get it back to functioning again. Acquiring stocks and a magazine may be a bit of a problem.....

Since very few were manufactured, are you able to share the serial# with us?

 

[wyo-man]

Wow. I would love a challenge/winter project like that.

Keep us posted.

wyo-man

 

[Jaymo]

If I were just going to try to use it as a shooter, I'd probably sandblast and parkerize it.
Or, fill the pits with Dura Fill and Duracoat it.
If I wanted to keep it in a collection and not shoot it, I'd leave what's left of the original finish alone.

But, I just can't seem to own a gun without shooting it.

 

[TheDan]

I wonder why it was taken apart? I hope you get it back to functioning again. Acquiring stocks and a magazine may be a bit of a problem.....

Since very few were manufactured, are you able to share the serial# with us?

No clue on why it was taken apart. A couple of the springs look kinked, so maybe it was malfunctioning? ...but that wouldn't explain why it was stripped so completely. Maybe it was already rusting when he had it and wanted to refinish it? We'll never know.

Finding a magazine will be an issue, but I can make new grip panels for it. I'll update back with the serial number in a bit.

If I were just going to try to use it as a shooter, I'd probably sandblast and parkerize it.
Or, fill the pits with Dura Fill and Duracoat it.

That's a good idea. Thanks. Need to figure out how it goes back together first, tho

 

[loeman]

What an interesting project you have found. I'm envious as I love to make "basket case" projects come back to life. Good luck and Congratulations. Please keep us posted on what you do.

 

[F75gunslinger]

Looks like a 1913 to me, although I thought they were only in .35 S&W. Seems to me like a neat project.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Here's an article about it copied to this forum: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/329710-history-s-w-model-1913-35-automatic-pistol.html

Well there was one there, I read it and now the link is broken for me.

Less than 1,000 of the .32 models were made.

 

[TheDan]

From what I've been able to figure out, S&W originally designed the 1913 to fire .32acp, but decided to make their own cartridge for some reason. They produced the .32 model after the .35. It's slightly different from the .35... On this one the trigger guard is fixed and you take it down by pressing a hidden button and the top slide comes off. Then you can take the "bolt" out. I was able to figure that out just futzing around with it, but I really need a diagram to see how all the little parts go together. It's a pretty unique design.

The serial number is 671, so I guess it's in the last third of the production run.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Best I could find. Hope it helps a little since I'm not sure how similar the internals are between calibers.

 

[TheDan]

That is helpful; thanks!

 

[Jaymo]

I'm going to go ahead and say it.
Smith & Wesson's grip safety makes a lot more sense than the one on a 1911.
Blasphemy, I know.