S&W 32 Long Find

[delta-419]

Like a lot of us on this forum I spend a fair amount of time surfing the net for "targets of opportunity". Such an opportunity presented itself a couple of weeks ago on GB for the pricy sum of $349. After several days of contemplation and reading the tealeaves, I paid the price and took the chance. It was a 32L with mother of pearl grips with gold medallions, something not present in my accumulation of S&W 32s. It looked like it would clean up to meet all expectations. It did! The bore is "like new"; the action is tight with no play in any direction; smooth as silk in DA & SA; the nickel finish is 90+; no rust or pits anywhere. This gun was shot little or not at all. A true sock drawer piece. Serial number is 73328 and is present in all the right places. What's not to like! Your thoughts and comments appreciated!

 

[sigp220.45]

Very nice! It checks all my boxes! Those pearlies are beautiful!

 

[Sistema1927]

Those stocks would not be to General George Patton's liking. Just saying.

 

[AJ]

Those stocks would not be to General George Patton's liking. Just saying.

That is the first thing that came to my mind. However, to each their own and if you like it great. Good buy at a good price.

 

[BRYAN76]

Looks good.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Way to go, Jim! Buy the grips get the gun for free!

Sent from my SM-S926U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Green Frog]

With those gold medallions, those pearls look factory. I’d hate to do it, but I’d have to take them off (very carefully) and replace them with wood or hard rubber if I were going to carry and/or shoot them. As somebody already observed, they’re probably worth about what you paid for the gun.
Froggie

 

[austintexas]

Nice revolver, I really like the old I frame revolvers. A little Flitz and the few dark spots will disappear. I try to pick up every one I find, especially if it has a good bore.
SWCA 892

 

[Buford57]

Considering I got almost that much for a blued version with poorer finish and chipped hard rubber grips last year, I'd say you did just fine.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I took the original grips off of my 31-1 and replaced them with Pachmayr grips in order to shoot it properly. That's the best part of a 32 L. It's truly a shame that not very many people will ever get a chance to shoot a S&W 32 L.





You need to turn yourself in to the police.

 

[cmansguns]

what am I missing?

I am not as educated on these 32 Long older revolvers as I should be but I am sure trying to learn as fast as I can.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but the OP's gun is NOT a Regulation Police, rather a 32 Hand Ejector....Correct???

The serial number would be very early, pre WWII...Correct??

I thought this revolver did not have heat treated cylinders until serial number 321000, approx. 1920..Is it safe to shoot modern
98 grain LRN ammo in this gun???

Agree if those pearl grips are original, they should definitely be removed before any damage could occur during shooting.

I have selfish reasons for asking the above because I just came into possession of one of these "HAND 32 EJECTORS" today, with its original box (Yes....THE box) and I'll get some pics posted tomorrow under my own post but I've got the above questions.

Must be a fine day for 32 Longs, old ones that is, because this is the third post in recent days about these old guns coming to the surface after being in sock drawers for eons.

In any event the OP got a real heck of a deal and it does indeed look righteous.

 

[Muley Gil]

I am not as educated on these 32 Long older revolvers as I should be but I am sure trying to learn as fast as I can.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but the OP's gun is NOT a Regulation Police, rather a 32 Hand Ejector....Correct???

The serial number would be very early, pre WWII...Correct??

I thought this revolver did not have heat treated cylinders until serial number 321000, approx. 1920..Is it safe to shoot modern
98 grain LRN ammo in this gun???

Agree if those pearl grips are original, they should definitely be removed before any damage could occur during shooting.

I have selfish reasons for asking the above because I just came into possession of one of these "HAND 32 EJECTORS" today, with its original box (Yes....THE box) and I'll get some pics posted tomorrow under my own post but I've got the above questions.

Must be a fine day for 32 Longs, old ones that is, because this is the third post in recent days about these old guns coming to the surface after being in sock drawers for eons.

In any event the OP got a real heck of a deal and it does indeed look righteous.

Yes, the OP has a .32 Long HE model, built before mid 1922.

Modern LRN ammo is safe.

 

[glenncal1]

OP- get yourself some wadcutters and have at it. I too would protect the grips with something different for shooting.

 

[glowe]

The OP's gun likely shipped in 1907 and is a 32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 2nd Change revolver. The 2nd Change was made from 1906 to 1909 with serial number range 51137 to 95500. Those stocks fit perfectly, so assume factory installed on that revolver. The revolver cannot be a Regulation Police, since they did not start production until 1917 and had extended walnut stocks. The lack of heat treating is of no concern in these small caliber revolvers and hardly needed with the low pressures of standard 32 Long ammo, at 15,000 psi max.

 

[45NUTT]

I was contemplating that very HE! Glad someone got it that will take care of it. My Mammaw had one like that which is why I looked at it a couple of times. Congrats!!

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello OP, if you decide to remove the MOP grips, tell us. Get some tips before you go at it.

 

[wbraswell]

Another episode of Adventures with I-frames. Love them. And...Gen. Patton is still dead.