Sweet Little 32 Hand Ejector

[Retired W4]

This 3 1/4" 32 showed up at my tables yesterday and I could not resist. It was pretty dirty and covered with oil but it cleaned up well. It came with the original numbered box, NOX-Wrapper and Helpful Hints pam.

I'm hoping someone has one close to this one in a data base, 693005, for a ball park ship date.

 

[22hipower]

That one appears to be in great condition, nice buy. I have 695837 which shipped 2/17/61. This one was a little odd as it is stamped as a 31 but shipping documents, and letter, show it as a 30.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Howdy,

Are you sure its barrel is 3¼"? Looks like a 3".

My Model 31 689371 shipped in August 1958. It's a very early model-marked .32.

 

[Retired W4]

Well Bob, you are right. It measures 2 15/16". The label on the box, numbered to the gun says 3 1/4". The grease pencil number is righteous and I just assumed the label was correct. It's not the first time S&W did something like that.

Now you need to tell me that the 3" guns are extremely rare and bring a 3X premium.

That would really make my day.

 

[Hondo44]

That one appears to be in great condition, nice buy. I have 695837 which shipped 2/17/61. This one was a little odd as it is stamped as a 31 but shipping documents, and letter, show it as a 30.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I presume yours is also a round butt which would make it a Model 30. But it's not the first we've seen marked Mod 31. Or a square but marked Mod 30.

 

[Hondo44]

Well Bob, you are right. It measures 2 15/16". The label on the box, numbered to the gun says 3 1/4". The grease pencil number is righteous and I just assumed the label was correct. It's not the first time S&W did something like that.

Now you need to tell me that the 3" guns are extremely rare and bring a 3X premium.

That would really make my day.

The 3 1/4" barrel was actually standardized at 3" on the Improved I frame 2nd version which is the beginning of the ramp front sight and barrel rib. So all the models of 1953 New I frame/Models of 30 and 31 with that size barrel are 3". And your right, we often see them come in earlier boxes that are marked 3 1/4".

I presume it is not model stamped which means it likely shipped before the 3rd or 4th quarter of 1958.

 

[Retired W4]

It is marked MOD-30.