Tiny Post-War 32

[DocB]

Mint condition Smiths that that are pushing 70 years old haven't really been out there in a long time. Been looking at this one for over a week. It has the round front sight, the trigger guard screw, and the post-war matt finish. All the Smiths in my collection seem to turn bright blue in 1953. It is very transitional since it has the coil main spring and, of course, no strain screw. It is so tiny that the one from 1958 sitting next to it in its starburst box looked like a magnum in comparison. Everyone knows that I am super cheap when it comes to buying Smiths because there are just so many around here for cheap. I had to pay $490 for it which is why it took me so long to decide to bring it home. That's a ton of money for me for a Smith, but the owner of the LGS took his profit down to fifty bucks, and he is a very adept buyer. The gun is all matching with serial numbers all over it just like the old pre-war ones. . .I like that. The SN is 581XXX likely putting it in 1952 right at the start of the transition to the modified I frame. Such a pretty gun and so perfect. Looks like Smith just made it. Plus I'm a sucker for 32's.

 

[brjr51]

You did very well in my opinion. What a beauty, congrats. There is just something about those little .32’s .

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Nice gun, Doc!

 

[Andy Lowry]

I don't think that's a bad price for such a fine-looking specimen. Good going!

.32 is a lot of fun to shoot. After I picked up my first one from '57 and took it out for a spin, I bought the next two I saw ('16 and '24). If I see another in a case somewhere, I'll probably buy that one too.

 

[H Richard]

Little post war 32's are also my weakness.

 

[DocB]

I should have mentioned that mine has the 3 and 1/4 inch barrel which was the short one before they made the 2 inch barrel readily available. Still looking for one of those.

 

[italiansport]

Yep: I have a soft spot for 32s as well!
Jim

 

[gmborkovic]

Now that is a cutie! great snag.

 

[dr. mordo]

Very nice!

I love I frames and am always on the lookout for one in nice shape, so I'd have bought it, too!

 

[DocB]

Does anyone have a date on a gun like this in the 581000 to 582000 SN range?

 

[Hondo44]

DocB,

Just about the nicest preserved post war ".32 Hand Ejector Improved I frame - 1st Version (rd sight)" I've ever seen! Congrats on a good price as well.

The #s I have closest to the range of yours are:

575003 .32 shipped in March 1952, 2” 'Improved I', rd sight.
586848 shipped in February 1953, a late shipper
589413 shipped on July 18, 1952
58978X .32 HE 2" shipped 7/52

 

[Green Frog]

I should have mentioned that mine has the 3 and 1/4 inch barrel which was the short one before they made the 2 inch barrel readily available. Still looking for one of those.

The first of my "triumvirate" of snubbies is a post-War 32, unimproved (with leaf spring) so it's a little earlier than yours. I had to get a Baby Chief to go with it, then of course a Terrier, so I filled that slot with a pre-War example. I love me some snubs... they just do so well for every day carry.

Froggie

 

[DocB]

Wow! If I had know that Jim was going to rate it as one the nicest he has ever seen, I would have gladly paid more. . .probably a lot more! Also, Green Frog, I am still looking for one of the tiny Terriers. Back in the early 1990's my secretary sold me one in nickel that her husband won in a poker game. Within a year I let my good friend (another Dean) have it for his daughter to take to the University of Georgia for protection. She lived off campus. It was stolen from her within a year. Back in the day when our students all had guns and knives.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Great snag, Doc. Congrats.

I'm sort of fond of .32s, too.

My earliest postwar is 538045, a 4¼" that shipped in March '50, third one down in the stack, with a LERK and service grips.