Very old Model 1903

[Oeschler]

Blue hand ejector .32 long 3 1/2" barrel RB
Four digit SN 6948 probably made in 1903

 

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the forum. Nice .32! They don't always look that good when they are that old.

I think the factory would have called that a 3.25" barrel; the basic barrel lengths for the early I-frames were 3.25", 4.25" and 6".

I have had good luck shooting wadcutter target ammo in these old .32s (1920s and before). I have been using Sellier & Bellot ammo, which is a little dirty and smells funny, but it makes nice clean holes in the targets. You can buy it from internet distributors. I think Fiocchi makes some good .32 wadcutter rounds as well.

Some people just like regular roundnose ammo and find it more accurate than wadcutter rounds.

If you shoot it, please post a range report.

 

[bmcgilvray]

It's so cute!

Thanks for posting the photos and thanks for joining us. Great first thread!

 

[Oeschler]

Early model 1903 .32 S&W Long

This was my first hand gun (many more since then). I bought it in New York City in 1965 at Abercrombie & Fitch for $30.00. Stuck it in my pocket and walked to my hotel where I put it in my suitcase and brought it home. Don't try to do that today.