Unknown vintage 32 Long Ctg

[jbgreer]

Greetings. I'm new to the forum and am seeking assistance in determining the vintage of my family's 32 Long Ctg revolver, picture attached. I've read the 'Identify A Gun' post and seen others ask via a post; my apologies if I'm not following protocol.


1) Type: Hand Ejector
2) Serial number: 140288
3) Barrel Marking: S&W Long Ctg
4) Barrel length: 3"
5) Sight type: Fixed


Additional:
- Has strain screw
- No butt swivel or lanyard ring
- 5 screw frame


From what I've read so far, it dates pre-1955, but if anyone else can give me more specific information, I would appreciate it. If the best advice is to get a catalog, so be it.


Thanks,
Jim G

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 5th Change, made between 1910 and 1917. The serial number range is 102501-263000. Yours is probably closer to 1913. The barrel should be 3 1/4" long.

I have one that is from the 1930s and it is a good shooter.

 

[jbgreer]

I am replying to my own request, but always appreciate someone else validating my information. Having looked further, I believe this is a S&W .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - 5th Change, manufactured between 1910 and 1917.



This revolver belong to my grandfather; I don't know when he acquired it.

 

[jbgreer]

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 5th Change, made between 1910 and 1917. The serial number range is 102501-263000. Yours is probably closer to 1913. The barrel should be 3 1/4" long.

I have one that is from the 1930s and it is a good shooter.

Looks like you beat me to it, Muley Gil. Many thanks.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! If your family owned it since new, a letter of authenticity would give you its exact age (ship date from the factory).

https://theswca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Letter-Request-Form.pdf

 

[jbgreer]

Welcome! If your family owned it since new, a letter of authenticity would give you its exact age (ship date from the factory).

I have a letter going out tomorrow requesting that very thing.

Thanks again,
Jim G

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Jim! Look under the barrel on the extractor rod flat and note if a B precedes the serial number there. Your gun has been refinished in nickel and I suspect it was originally a blued gun. The letter should confirm what finish was on the gun when it shipped.

 

[opoefc]

Welcome to the Forum ! Your .32HE Mod.1903. #140288, was made May 10, 1911, as part of a production run of 200 blued revolvers with black hard rubber stocks. The gun has been refinished. If done by the factory there will be a date code stamped on the left grip frame, such as 8.48 for Aug. 1948. Ed

 

[jbgreer]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Jim! Look under the barrel on the extractor rod flat and note if a B precedes the serial number there. Your gun has been refinished in nickel and I suspect it was originally a blued gun. The letter should confirm what finish was on the gun when it shipped.

Thanks for the intel. I do not see a B preceding the serial number.

 

[jbgreer]

Welcome to the Forum ! Your .32HE Mod.1903. #140288, was made May 10, 1911, as part of a production run of 200 blued revolvers with black hard rubber stocks. The gun has been refinished. If done by the factory there will be a date code stamped on the left grip frame, such as 8.48 for Aug. 1948. Ed

Ed, that's amazingly precise. Thanks much for this information.


I wish I had more family left alive to ask about the provenance and history of this revolver, but that entire generation including my dad, who would have known best, has been gone for quite a while. As I recollect, a family member (great uncle?) of mine nickel plated the revolver "during the war".


Many thanks to the folks who have provided information.