Post war .32 hand ejector- new to me

[444 Magnum]

I just acquired this one. Mike was kind enough to send me the invoice. It shipped June 1952 to Waco TX. It's in clean but used condition, 3.25" barrel, and grips number to the pistol. It seems diminutive compared to the .357's and .44's that I've been accumulating.







If anyone is wondering the difference between the i and j frames as I was, this picture will help. J-frame grips on the i-frame .32.



This pistol is a new area for me. Any additional information or corrections are welcome...and, as always, let's see yours. I'm sure there are some much nicer ones out there.

 

[JP@AK]

It seems diminutive compared to the .357's and .44's that I've been accumulating.


If anyone is wondering the difference between the i and j frames as I was, this picture will help. J-frame grips on the i-frame .32.

As to the first point, it is small compared to the K and N frames you referenced.

Regarding the stocks, I and J frame stocks up until 1953 were the same. Then from 1953 onward, they were the same again. What you showed was a pre-1953 I frame with post-1952 J (or I) frame stocks. (Keep in mind that "post-1952" means from 1953 onward.)

 

[444 Magnum]

Regarding the stocks, I and J frame stocks up until 1953 were the same. Then from 1953 onward, they were the same again. What you showed was a pre-1953 I frame with post-1952 J (or I) frame stocks. (Keep in mind that "post-1952" means from 1953 onward.)

What? I must be hard of hearing because I can't make head nor tails out of that. Please clarify for the slow witted.

 

[JP@AK]

Just what I wrote.

When the J frame was introduced in 1950, it had the same length of grip frame as the I frame revolvers. That is part of the reason the early J frames are called the "Baby Chiefs Special."

In 1953, the I frame units received a grip frame that was longer than before by (I think) 1/8". The J frame units also got the longer grip frame (as well as the larger trigger guard).

So, I & J frame stocks are the same length in the 1950-1952 period, and again the same length as each other from 1953 until the I frame was dropped in c. 1960.

 

[kscharlie]

...
In 1953, the I frame units received a grip frame that was longer than before by (I think) 1/8". The J frame units also got the longer grip frame (as well as the larger trigger guard).

So, I & J frame stocks are the same length in the 1950-1952 period, and again the same length as each other from 1953 until the I frame was dropped in c. 1960.

True for the round butt models. Not for the square butt. Just one more thing that makes the I-frames so confusing. The Model of 1953 "New" I-Frame square butt removed the rebate on the back strap but the butt length was still the same length as the older "Improved" I-Frame. Thus J-frame stocks on an I-frame square butt are still 1/8" too long.

Interestingly enough, the stock pin still fits the hole in J-frame target stocks and the extra length of the stocks are a moot point since the target stocks completely cover the butt frame.

J-Frame target stocks on Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun Square Butt (I-Frame) from 1956.

 

[444 Magnum]

Just what I wrote.

When the J frame was introduced in 1950, it had the same length of grip frame as the I frame revolvers. That is part of the reason the early J frames are called the "Baby Chiefs Special."

In 1953, the I frame units received a grip frame that was longer than before by (I think) 1/8". The J frame units also got the longer grip frame (as well as the larger trigger guard).

So, I & J frame stocks are the same length in the 1950-1952 period, and again the same length as each other from 1953 until the I frame was dropped in c. 1960.

THIS I can comprehend. Thank you for expanding on the subject.

 

[444 Magnum]

True for the round butt models. Not for the square butt. Just one more thing that makes the I-frames so confusing. The Model of 1953 "New" I-Frame square butt removed the rebate on the back strap but the butt length was still the same length as the older "Improved" I-Frame. Thus J-frame stocks on an I-frame square butt are still 1/8" too long.

Interestingly enough, the stock pin still fits the hole in J-frame target stocks and the extra length of the stocks are a moot point since the target stocks completely cover the butt frame.

J-Frame target stocks on Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun Square Butt (I-Frame) from 1956.
View attachment 795373

The stock pin on the post '52 round butt grips I displayed above also fit the pre '53 i-frame. The extra length seems to be added to the bottom of the frame.

 

[JP@AK]

True for the round butt models. Not for the square butt. Just one more thing that makes the I-frames so confusing.

Yes, Charlie. That is quite true. I almost mentioned it in my post, but since the discussion was about the round butt, I left that information off. Probably should not have.

Of course, my experience with postwar square butt I frames is limited to a single .38 RP in my collection. I'm not really a small frame collector, although I do have a few - mostly .22/32 Kit Guns.

Interestingly enough, the stock pin still fits the hole in J-frame target stocks and the extra length of the stocks are a moot point since the target stocks completely cover the butt frame.

That's a fact. Strangely, it seems that the hole will match up even on the two different lengths of round butt stocks. But again, my experience with these is very limited. I wonder what Jim Carter has to say about the matter.

 

[kscharlie]

Yes, Charlie. That is quite true. I almost mentioned it in my post, but since the discussion was about the round butt, I left that information off. Probably should not have.

Of course, my experience with postwar square butt I frames is limited to a single .38 RP in my collection. I'm not really a small frame collector, although I do have a few - mostly .22/32 Kit Guns.

That's a fact. Strangely, it seems that the hole will match up even on the two different lengths of round butt stocks. But again, my experience with these is very limited. I wonder what Jim Carter has to say about the matter.

Jack, I understand about leaving out the square butt "discussion". I almost did not add that info, but finally thought it might be apropos. I, too was (still am) hoping Jim would respond. He has taught me/us so much about the I frames, and I still get confused. Would not want to put something out there that was not correct.

I only have 8 I frames, and certainly do not consider myself an expert in them. But I am always looking and do enjoy them.

 

[kscharlie]

444 Magnum, you have acquired a nice .32 Hand Ejector. You have also opened yourself to a new can of worms. Like potato chips...you can't have just one!

The biggest difference between the I and J frame revolvers is the length of the cylinder window. When the Chiefs Special was introduced in 1950, the .38 Spl. cartridge was too long to fit in the I frame window, so it was enlarged to accommodate the longer cartridge. When the .32 HE and .32 RP became the Model 30 and 31 respectively, they still had the I frame cylinder window. When they became the 30-1 and 31-1, they were made on the J frame, giving them the longer window.

The first pic is a comparison of the I frame .32 HE to the J frame Model 31-1. Note the difference in length of the cylinder. The second pic is my modest accumulation of .32 Hand Ejectors and Regulation Police models.