Postwar .32 Hand Ejector

[cjw3]

I picked this up a while back for a shooter (which it does very well). I just recently got a copy of SCSW and have been going over some of my items, so to the question. Barrel lengths on these were supposed to be 3/1/4", 4 1/4" and 6". ( I also have a 1903/5th change with 3 1/4" barrel). Mention is made in SCSW that a 2" barrel has been observed in the HE and a 4" target barrel in the Regulation Police. This one measures 3.950" (from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle), which I suppose would be a nominal 4".

Any input from the experts on these would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help. John

 

[DCWilson]

I don't see a strain screw in the forestrap, which would make me think this an Improved I-frame revolver. But the gun still has the frame screw in front of the trigger guard, the prewar half-round front sight on an unribbed barrel, and round rather than oval trigger guard; all of that points to prewar design and, if I may use the term, a "transitional" revolver. Maybe the strain screw is there, and I just can't see it. But IF there is no strain screw and this gun has a coil mainspring, then it is some kind of in-between unit that blends different elements of the original and improved I-frame designs. I'm kind of perplexed, actually.

That serial number makes me think early 1950s, maybe 1951-52. It is near the end of the original .32 Hand Ejector serial number sequence.

Maybe the four-inch barrel wandered in from a Regulation Police model and was attached to a .32 HE frame.

I'm just assuming the serial numbers match on frame, barrel and cylinder. Stocks too?

Really nice revolver.

 

[cjw3]

I don't see a strain screw in the forestrap, which would make me think this an Improved I-frame revolver. But the gun still has the frame screw in front of the trigger guard, the prewar half-round front sight on an unribbed barrel, and round rather than oval trigger guard; all of that points to prewar design and, if I may use the term, a "transitional" revolver. Maybe the strain screw is there, and I just can't see it. But IF there is no strain screw and this gun has a coil mainspring, then it is some kind of in-between unit that blends different elements of the original and improved I-frame designs. I'm kind of perplexed, actually.

That serial number makes me think early 1950s, maybe 1951-52. It is near the end of the original .32 Hand Ejector serial number sequence.

Maybe the four-inch barrel wandered in from a Regulation Police model and was attached to a .32 HE frame.

I'm just assuming the serial numbers match on frame, barrel and cylinder. Stocks too?

Really nice revolver.

Yes, there is no strain screw; it has the coil mainspring. Serial numbers on the frame, barrel, cylinder and stocks all match, so I guess it went out the door in this configuration. The ".32 Long CTG" on the right side of the barrel also made me think that perhaps a Regulation Police barrel got across the aisle somehow.

Thanks so much for the information.