Proper ID description of 32 long pistol

[Joel6180]

I'm having a hard time figuring out how to properly identify this gun. Date of manufacture? It shoots nice, and is as accurate as any small revolver I have. Also, what is a reasonable value for this revolver? Thanks for any help.

 

[Joel6180]

A few more images

A few more images:

 

[murphydog]

It's a .32 Hand Ejector from the 1920 decade. It is in better than average condition for a gun of this vintage, so if the internals are not pitted and it functions normally I would guess about $300. Hope this is helpful.

 

[DWalt]

You have a S&W .32 Hand Ejector, Third Model. SN range is 263001 to 536684, made from 1917 to 1942. Yours is obviously from the 1920s, and post-1922. Others may have more precise dating and may be able to provide a better value estimate than I can.

 

[Muley Gil]

You have a .32 Hand Ejector Third Model From the mid to late 1920s. I would value it at $350-425.

Oh, and, WAR EAGLE!

 

[Joel6180]

You fellows are amazing - I guess I would learn this stuff if I collected S&W Revolvers, but it is so nice to have this knowledge right on a computer screen. Thank you very much. I think I'm going to shoot it a little more before I decide what to do with it.

Hmm... my son is a War Eagle, or Tiger, or Plainsman, whatever they are over there, but I forgive him, at least he finished something - so ROLL TIDE!

 

[Absalom]

I'm not at all being ironic or sarcastic here when I say congratulations for taking clear focused pictures of all the right spots. It's obviously all matching, and the only thing left would be to check the inside surface of the right stock panel for the serial; if it's there, I suspect it will match, too, since the stocks are correct for the period.

With all that, I would also place it in that condition between 300 and 400.

 

[Joel6180]

I had them (stocks) off to check for frame rust, and I think there was faded pencil numbers, but not stamped like later S&W guns I have had. I made no mental note if the number matched, or which panel had the number. I was concerned that the stocks were replacements, as my limited reading made me think they were supposed to be hard rubber, or have S&W emblems if wood. Pleasant surprise if they are correct.

 

[Muley Gil]

Early .32 HEs had hard rubber or walnut grips. Medallions came and went, as did frame markings.

We are Tigers and our battle cry is "War Eagle!", which came long before Bama came up with "Roll Tide". Plainsmen is an informal title, because the town of Auburn was named after the village in Oliver Goldsmith's poem, "The Deserted Village":

"Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain..."

The Deserted Village by Oliver Goldsmith : The Poetry Foundation

 

[Hondo44]

I had them (stocks) off to check for frame rust, and I think there was faded pencil numbers, but not stamped like later S&W guns I have had. I made no mental note if the number matched, or which panel had the number. I was concerned that the stocks were replacements, as my limited reading made me think they were supposed to be hard rubber, or have S&W emblems if wood. Pleasant surprise if they are correct.

That's a real beauty! I agree with value estimates posted above.

The serial numbers were stamped on the back of the right stock prior to 1900 and again after 1929. In between they were penciled like yours. You gun was shipped after 1922 and before 1925 based on confirmed shipping dates of serial numbers before and after yours.

Wood stocks between 1920 and 1929 had no medallions. So everything about you stocks indicates they are the correct vintage. Study the penciled #s with good light and magnification to confirm if original.

 

[Joel6180]

Stock numbers

I went to my gun shop and tried to take some images of the right stock panel - tough to get good images, but I think they match, and even a 3 crushed by the grip frame I think.

 

[Hondo44]

No doubt in my mind, it's a match!