Trying to Identify 32 S&W Long (pics)

[LanceS4803]

Inherited this 3-screw hand ejector, but it has me stumped as I know there is no model "99".
Serial #6528XX
32 S.&W. Long
3" barrel
While a 3-screw, is it possibly a mid 1950s Terrier, made before model stamping?

 

[robertrwalsh]

Very nice gat. Serial number is wrong to be a Regulation Police. Could be an ordinary M & P .32 hand ejector from just before they started putting on model numbers. 4th editions shows 1946-1960 #536685 to #712953. I am confident somebody with solid info will jump in soon.

 

[moosedog]

That is a I or J frame. The M&P 32 HE is a K frame gun.
You are correct that it was made before they gave them model numbers, and appears to be in very nice condition.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

Inherited this 3-screw hand ejector, but it has me stumped as I know there is no model "99".
Serial #6528XX
32 S.&W. Long
3" barrel
While a 3-screw, is it possibly a mid 1950s Terrier, made before model stamping?
View attachment 715364
View attachment 715365

Regulation Police (post war) = pre model 31?
1952 - 1953

 

[murphydog]

It has a round butt frame, so it is a .32 Hand Ejector. The Regulation Police would have a square butt. Both were numbered in the same series so the SN would not tell you which model it is.

It was made prior to model number assignments. If it is a 3-screw frame it was made sometime between 1956 and ‘58 (roughly) and the number stamped in the frame yoke cutout is a factory internal code.

 

[JP@AK]

Alan is correct. It is a .32 HE. The Terrier was chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge.

 

[murphydog]

Alan is correct. It is a .32 HE. The Terrier was chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge.

Yes, the six-round cylinder gives that away. The I frame .38s were five-round.

 

[LanceS4803]

Thanks everyone. I don't feel too bad about not being able to ID it now!
This revolver was a gift from my Father to my Mother around 1975. He was a LEO who wanted her to have something with a little less recoil than 38spl. I even found a photo of her shooting it.
It would be in excellent condition except for some reason it appears that someone removed the sideplate and leveraged it up at both the top and bottom. I don't believe it would have left the factory that way. (Couldn't quite capture it in the photo.)

 

[Hondo44]

You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1953 New style I frame unofficially referred to as a Pre-model 30.

 

[murphydog]

You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1953 New style I frame unofficially referred to as a Pre-model 30.

Jim, wouldn't the model of 1953 have a 4-screw sideplate?

 

[Hondo44]

Early Models of 1953 have 4 screws but after the change order to delete the upper side plate screw sometime in ‘55 IIRC, they have 3 screws.

 

[jsfricks]

Thanks everyone. I don't feel too bad about not being able to ID it now!
This revolver was a gift from my Father to my Mother around 1975. He was a LEO who wanted her to have something with a little less recoil than 38spl. I even found a photo of her shooting it.
It would be in excellent condition except for some reason it appears that someone removed the sideplate and leveraged it up at both the top and bottom. I don't believe it would have left the factory that way. (Couldn't quite capture it in the photo.)
View attachment 715453

That’s a nice looking 32. The pry marks are not uncommon for someone not familiar with removing a side plate. It’s as easy as removing the grips, remove the screws and cup the gun in your hand with the side plate toward the hand and bump the grip frame with a plastic or wood handle or screwdriver handle and it’ll drop into your palm. Just ignore it and enjoy shooting it and knowing it was a family gun.

 

[LanceS4803]

Thanks everyone!
Got her all cleaned up last night and it will sit nicely in the safe next to my wife's 60-9 Lady Smith.

 

[Green Frog]

It really deserves range time. Of course, once you shoot it for one good session, once is not enough. I can’t remember how many times I’ve talked on this forum about my love affair with my transitional (leaf spring) 32 HE snub.
Froggie

 

[LanceS4803]

It really deserves range time. Of course, once you shoot it for one good session, once is not enough. I can’t remember how many times I’ve talked on this forum about my love affair with my transitional (leaf spring) 32 HE snub.
Froggie

I'm all about shooting odd stuff, from 12.7x108 DsHK down to 8mm Nambu. Looking forward to seeing why this caliber has been so popular and will definitely be on the lookout for the right stuff.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Thanks for solving a mystery for me!
I have a revolver identical to this one. I knew it was an I frame and did find a date for around 1952 but couldn't find out whether it was a hand ejector or regulation police.
Finish on mine is pretty rough and looks like a baby Model 10 but it is terrifyingly accurate at resonable distances. It was at one time a duty weapon for a Harris County Deputy Sheriff and he didn't carry in a holster, but in his waistband.

 

[Hondo44]

If it has a round butt it’s a Hand Ejector. If it has square butt grips over a round butt grip frame, it’s a Regulation Police.
So which do you have?

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

If it has a round butt it’s a Hand Ejector. If it has square butt grips over a round butt grip frame, it’s a Regulation Police.
So which do you have?

Round butt. A real booger to get a good grip on

 

[Hondo44]

Get a pair of factory J frame target grips, you’ll love ‘em!!