Please, help me identify these two revolvers

[econsejero]

Hello everyone, i recently got these two beauties from my grandfathers. They're both S&W just by chance, but i'm already falling in love with S&W!!
I'll try to give you all the info you need that i saw in the post about identifying guns, but if i forget anything, please ask me!!


The first one is a .38 S&W hand ejector (the black one in the pictures).
Behind the yoke it only has what i think is an assembly number. No model number whatsoever.
The serial number is on the front gripstrap. It's 10252 as you may see.
The barrel length is 10 cm (4 inches) and the sights are fixed.
It's got a strain screw, but no butt swivel nor lanyard ring.
I can also say it is a 5 screw model, as it's got one in front of the trigger


The second one, a hand ejector too, is a .32 long ctg. (The silver one)
Just an assembly number behind the yoke. Serial number on the butt, 266490.
Barrel length of 10.7 cm (about 4.2 inches), fixed sights, strain screw in the front gripstrap, and no butt swivel or lanyard ring.
Also a 5 screw model.


Well, i think that's all you need. If not, just ask me!
I'm very excited to go to the range and try these two! I'll tell you how they do as soon as i try them!
Thank you all for your help, i hope the post is ok, since it's my first one

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

These neat old heirlooms are a bit beyond my interest and knowledge levels, but others will be along soon to let you know what you've got.

Nice job of detailing the specifics and posting photos early on!

 

[H Richard]

The blued one is a 38 Regulation Police, Pre-War, and dating to maybe the 1920's. It is 38 S&W, not 38 "Special", it is a different caliber, and the slightly shorter and larger in diameter.

The Nickle one appears to be a 32 Hand Ejector 3rd Model. I'm guessing a 1920's vintage on it also.

Hopefully Hondo44 will be along soon and tie down more closely the ages. He wrote the book on them.

Last but not least, Welcome to the S&W Forum.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

I believe your .38 RP was built in the late teens, due to the gold medallions. The serial number range was 1-54474, 1917-1940.

 

[econsejero]

Cowboy, Richard, thanks for your welcome and your help! I hope i can get some more info, somewhere to read from.
Richard, i know it's .38 S&W, but the cartidges i have say .38 SPL on the back. I thought that would be the denomination for 38 special, which is much longer. Do you know why may thst be?

 

[Camster]

Cowboy, Richard, thanks for your welcome and your help! I hope i can get some more info, somewhere to read from.
Richard, i know it's .38 S&W, but the cartidges i have say .38 SPL on the back. I thought that would be the denomination for 38 special, which is much longer. Do you know why may thst be?

Either the cartridges have no connection to that gun, or the chambers were reamed so that the gun could accept them.

 

[Absalom]

Either the cartridges have no connection to that gun, or the chambers were reamed so that the gun could accept them.

The reaming shouldn't work; the RP has an original .38 S&W-dimensioned cylinder, not a larger K-frame cylinder simply bored for the shorter cartridge like the BSR Victorys.

Does the ammunition actually fit the chambers, go all the way in and you can close the gun? Someone might have shortened and used Special brass to handload, but that's not ideal.

 

[DWalt]

Your .38 Regulation Police likely shipped in 1919. The only cartridge for it is the .38 S&W (not .38 S&W Special). The cylinder is too short for the latter. .38 Short Colt can also be used, but it is unlikely you will find any of that.

Your .32 SN 266490 also very likely shipped in 1919. It is a Model of 1903, 5th Change. It can fire either .32 S&W Long or .32 S&W cartridges, the latter being shorter.

 

[ABPOS]

Both very beautiful guns and probably very fun to shoot.

 

[JP@AK]

Your .32 SN 266490 . . . is a Model of 1903, 5th Change.

Possible, but I don't think so. I believe this is a .32 Hand Ejector Third Model, introduced in 1919. The only way to be sure would be to open it up and look at the guts, since externally, the lockwork changes are not obvious.

 

[econsejero]

Hey guys. About that .38 spl cartridges i mentioned, i bought them for this gun. I asked for them as 38 corto, which translated means 38 short. I don't think the gun is modified, and the cartidges fit perfectly. I know the 38 special as my uncle used to have one, and i keep some cartridges in a little ammo collection i have. Those wouldn't git, they're too long.
Maybe later i can upload some pics.

And I'm not interested in selling them, but just to know, how much do you think they're worth?

 

[Old_Cop]

Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania. Value here, I would be guessing at about $300 each. In Argentina, I have no idea.

 

[daddio202]

If you get some Mothers mag wheel polish and wipe(polish) it by hand on the nickel gun it will shine that gun right up. If you work at it (by hand) do not use a drummel or any powered buffer it will also get rid of some of the fine scratches. Just wipe the blued gun down with a good gun oil that will bring the finish back to life. Always a joy to me to get guns over 50 years old and by the time I finish cleaning and polishing they look almost brand new. Also will not hurt to put a few drops of gun oil or any good lubricant (do not use WD40) up into space in front of and behind trigger and a few drops in front of hammer. Then work the action a bunch of times wiping up an excess afterword. Enjoy

 

[econsejero]

Thanks old cop. I think here they might be more expensive. However, i wouldn't sell them even if they were worth 10k!

 

[econsejero]

If you get some Mothers mag wheel polish and wipe(polish) it by hand on the nickel gun it will shine that gun right up. If you work at it (by hand) do not use a drummel or any powered buffer it will also get rid of some of the fine scratches. Just wipe the blued gun down with a good gun oil that will bring the finish back to life. Always a joy to me to get guns over 50 years old and by the time I finish cleaning and polishing they look almost brand new. Also will not hurt to put a few drops of gun oil or any good lubricant (do not use WD40) up into space in front of and behind trigger and a few drops in front of hammer. Then work the action a bunch of times wiping up an excess afterword. Enjoy

Hey daddio, thanks for the advice. I lubed it up with some sewing machine oil some time ago. I don't know if that's the best, but i don't think it will hurt them. As soon as i go to the gunshop i'll see whats available for a good care. I also need to clean some residues from the cylinder

 

[DWalt]

"I asked for them as 38 corto, which translated means 38 short. "

You very well may have gotten a box of the Argentine equivalent of the .38 Short Colt. It is still made in the USA, and I think it is made by Magtech - CBC in Brazil as the ".38 Special Short". While not exactly correct for any gun chambered in .38 S&W, it will work OK. The bullet and case diameters are slightly smaller than those of the .38 S&W cartridge.

 

[DWalt]

Possible, but I don't think so. I believe this is a .32 Hand Ejector Third Model, introduced in 1919. The only way to be sure would be to open it up and look at the guts, since externally, the lockwork changes are not obvious.

You are correct, it is early in the Third Model SN range.

 

[gordonrick]

Yep. Magtech (CBC head stamp) makes a 38 SPL-C. I have some casings that size but don't remember if I bought it or picked them up from a range brass recycler since I only have about 30 of them. After firing in the 38 S&W cylinder they're probably about the same as the normal 38 S&W brass now. I separated them and use them for reloading with .357" JHP's anyway.

 

[econsejero]

Guys, I'm impressed, you even know the brand of the cartidges i have. Sometimes the only thing we can get are those magtech or CBC (like in this case). I don't like them very much, but at least it's something. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[H Richard]

I have had good results with the Magtech I have bought in the US. One of the questions I recall you originally asked is where you can get more info about the guns, I recommend the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th edition". It is often referred to as the "Bible" for S&W information. It is available on Amazon which I think you have access to.