Tuna1
Member
Gentlemen, Can someone give me an idea when a J frame in 32 S&W was made? It has a 3 inch barrel and the serial number is 665546.
Thank you.
Thank you.
S&W J frame in .32 S&W long.
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Rusty Shacklford
Member
Hello, I usually get to the party late but I think I'll give this a try. Source-"History of Smith & Wesson" by Roy G. Jinks.
When you open the cylinder is there a number in the yoke area-under the barrel. This would be the model number, if its a round butt it would be a 30, a square butt a 31. These numbers stared in 1957.
Within the 30 model series--There was a "change ... authorized on December 13, 1955, beginning at approximately serial number 640,980". Serial numbers ran 826,977 completed in 1970, with a new number range beginning with an H prefix. So as a guess with existing info '55-'57. More information is required for a better approximation. I could of course be completely wrong.
So I may have answered your question and I may not have. Open the cylinder and look for the model number and does it have fixed or adjustable sights, round or square butt.
There will of course be a price to pay for this info, you must include at least 1 clear photo, as they say "without a picture it never happened". I'll check back if no one else has a better answer
When you open the cylinder is there a number in the yoke area-under the barrel. This would be the model number, if its a round butt it would be a 30, a square butt a 31. These numbers stared in 1957.
Within the 30 model series--There was a "change ... authorized on December 13, 1955, beginning at approximately serial number 640,980". Serial numbers ran 826,977 completed in 1970, with a new number range beginning with an H prefix. So as a guess with existing info '55-'57. More information is required for a better approximation. I could of course be completely wrong.
So I may have answered your question and I may not have. Open the cylinder and look for the model number and does it have fixed or adjustable sights, round or square butt.
There will of course be a price to pay for this info, you must include at least 1 clear photo, as they say "without a picture it never happened". I'll check back if no one else has a better answer
Rusty Shacklford
Member
Hello, Well I would love to get the Supica "Standard Catalog"
but I am just so doggone cheap, spend all my money on either bullets or save for a new piece.
So, may we assume you do not yet have it in your possession? I feel so unfulfilled, will be waiting for that pic. Show it off when you get it. Im getting a strange hankerin' for a .32 just because, well just because. Will be waiting to see...
Does it look like this?
http://www.soldusa.com/rainworx/uploaded/rad9BBB62095.jpg
Or like this?
http://dragon.hematite.com/M31_1_0491sm.jpg
Or perhaps this?
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/...ismK42_IgAN-wuM7IyoNlvRyK5MhKsUXTGBWxEk29rEWg
but I am just so doggone cheap, spend all my money on either bullets or save for a new piece.
So, may we assume you do not yet have it in your possession? I feel so unfulfilled, will be waiting for that pic. Show it off when you get it. Im getting a strange hankerin' for a .32 just because, well just because. Will be waiting to see...
Does it look like this?
http://www.soldusa.com/rainworx/uploaded/rad9BBB62095.jpg
Or like this?
http://dragon.hematite.com/M31_1_0491sm.jpg
Or perhaps this?
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/...ismK42_IgAN-wuM7IyoNlvRyK5MhKsUXTGBWxEk29rEWg
Rusty Shacklford
Member
yet another clue
Hey, since you gave another clue I thought I'd follow up on it. There is another thread that goes into the same model that you have.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/246605-32-s-w-long-flat-latch.html
Your revolver is technically referred to as a ".32 Hand Ejector". It is based on the I frame and uses the .32 S&W long cartridge. The I frame was used until 1960. The approximate date I gave of '55-'57 is correct. The I frame is slightly shorter than the J frame which replaced it.
I guessing it looks like this, but in blued steel. His is 637836-shipped 1956. And you definitely need to post a pic, then shoot off a box of ammo. Have fun.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k520/JC3196/J - I Frame Revolvers/Pre-Model30.jpg
Hey, since you gave another clue I thought I'd follow up on it. There is another thread that goes into the same model that you have.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/246605-32-s-w-long-flat-latch.html
Your revolver is technically referred to as a ".32 Hand Ejector". It is based on the I frame and uses the .32 S&W long cartridge. The I frame was used until 1960. The approximate date I gave of '55-'57 is correct. The I frame is slightly shorter than the J frame which replaced it.
I guessing it looks like this, but in blued steel. His is 637836-shipped 1956. And you definitely need to post a pic, then shoot off a box of ammo. Have fun.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k520/JC3196/J - I Frame Revolvers/Pre-Model30.jpg
hotrod150
Member
I picked up a brand new one from buy.com off (maybe via Amazon?) for $27 a couple years ago. Well worth it.
That s/n could be an Improved "I" frame, or, 32 Regulation Police (Postwar). S/N's were ranged from 536000 to 712953 and made between 1946 and 1960. It was not changed to the "J" frame until 1961. So even early Model 30 and 31's were "I" frames from 1957 (when Model #'s were first implemented) until 1961 when the "J" frame was introduced.
Thank you Rusty for the great information. I was able to dig a bit and it is a Hand ejector 3 1/4 inch barrel and made before 1960. I was going to give it to my daughter and granddaughter but my granddaughter was complaining about the trigger not being a smooth one being as I have been pushing her to shoot more double action. So I may have to find something else for them. The hunt goes on.
