What do you call this little revolver?

[Gerald D]

I'm pretty certain this is an I frame but I have no experience with these little revolvers, chambered in 32 SW Long which I know is a dandy little cartridge.

I thought it would make a nice companion for my pre-model 15, and a piece the wife may enjoy shooting. As you can see my knowledge of these is pretty non-existent so educate me if you will. Serial number is 5960xx
I thank you.

 

[redhawk444]

I think it is a Hand Ejector, which was an 'I' frame gun.

I happen to be a big fan of the 32 S&W Long. It is a great little cartridge. It is easy to hand load and very accurate in a good gun.

 

[DCWilson]

Yes, .32 Hand Ejector. The features seen in that revolver were available together for just a few years, so your gun was probably assembled and shipped in the early 1950s. (Though you can never be 100% sure with Smith, because they did not make it a practice to ship in serial number order.)

Very nice gun in seemingly excellent condition. There is barely a turn ring visible on the cylinder, which indicates that it has not been shot very much -- or even had its action cycled, for that matter.

 

[Bob Smalser]

We keep a couple .32HE's/Pre-Model 30's around as pocket guns. You can see they are significantly smaller and slightly lighter than the Model 36 J-frame in the photo, and it's a perfect gun for the wife to scare off coyotes when walking her pups on the trail.

The .32 is no great shakes for power, but all the Plus-Whatevers in the world are worthless if the gun is a PIA to carry and it's not there when needed. Besides, the manufacturers still make 32 Shorts which are so pleasant to shoot that Mom stays in better practice than when she was using 38 Wadcutters.

 

[jcelect]

Improved I frame

Hey Gerald
The screw is missing in front of the grip frame. Therefore you have the Improved I frame(change to coil main spring from flat spring). Also the right grip panel should have the serial number stamped in it.
"What do you call this little revolver?" I would love to call it mine!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[haggis]

The screw is missing in front of the grip frame. Therefore you have the Improved I frame(change to coil main spring from flat spring).

The bolt spring screw is present in the frame at the front of the trigger guard.

Buck

 

[Terminator44]

I have one exactly like it in what appears to be the same condition. I don't guess those that had these shot or used them very much at all. Mine has lettered to 1952 serial number 5957XX. I put a set of stag grips on it to preserve the wooden magnas as I suspect they are not easy to come by and are easily damaged. The 32 is the lower gun in the picture. Enjoy yours in good health. T44

 

[ENGINE18]

Very nice little piece. It looks "old school!"

 

[handejector]

The screw is missing in front of the grip frame. Therefore you have the Improved I frame(change to coil main spring from flat spring).

The bolt spring screw is present in the frame at the front of the trigger guard.

Buck

Yes it is, but not what he is talking about.
jcelect said the gripstrap screw- for the mainspring.

 

[haggis]

Yes it is, but not what he is talking about.
jcelect said the gripstrap screw- for the mainspring.

Yep. My bad. Nomenclature mixup.

Buck

 

[2152hq]

Beautiful condition 32HE. The 2" bbl came out in '49 I was told.

I have the same revolver in 2" but no where near the condition. I carry it alot so it makes little difference. Mine's #539xxx and has the pre-war style service grips on it.

Congrats on a nice revolver. They are fun to shoot.

 

[Gerald D]

Hey Gerald
The screw is missing in front of the grip frame. Therefore you have the Improved I frame(change to coil main spring from flat spring). Also the right grip panel should have the serial number stamped in it.
"What do you call this little revolver?" I would love to call it mine!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

You are exactly correct Sir, it does have the coil main spring and the grips are numbered to the frame as well as the cylinder, I actually called S&W this morning and was fortunate enough to get to speak with Mr. Jinks. He guesstimated off the top of his head very late pre-war (I didn't mention the coil main spring as I hadn't removed the grips at that time) to early post war. I greatly appreciate the information and am looking forward to enjoying shooting this little jewel, the turn line is quite light and there is very little evidence that it has been fired. This will go well with my pre-model 15 in about the same condition. Thanks again.

Gerald

 

[Gerald D]

I have one exactly like it in what appears to be the same condition. I don't guess those that had these shot or used them very much at all. Mine has lettered to 1952 serial number 5957XX. I put a set of stag grips on it to preserve the wooden magnas as I suspect they are not easy to come by and are easily damaged. The 32 is the lower gun in the picture. Enjoy yours in good health. T44

Those Stag grips are quite classy, do you mind sharing where you got them, don't know how many folks would be making grips for these. Thanks in advance.

Gerald

 

[pwhphd]

What's this gun called?

Call it sold! - if it is for sale.

 

[TACC1]

I just had mine out for a little exercise, S/N 5943xx. Picked it up from a forum member that suggested lots of exercise. They sure are
a sweet little package.
Where'd you find grips to fit yours? I hadn't even put any
thought into saving the originals from damage. D'oh!
Thanks for posting, TACC1.

 

[Hondo44]

I'm pretty certain this is an I frame but I have no experience with these little revolvers, chambered in 32 SW Long which I know is a dandy little cartridge.

I thought it would make a nice companion for my pre-model 15, and a piece the wife may enjoy shooting. As you can see my knowledge of these is pretty non-existent so educate me if you will. Serial number is 5960xx
I thank you.

Gerald,
You have a little beauty! One of about 17 post-war I frame variations of the ".32 Hand Ejector (Post War) Pre-Model 30" w/ Round butt. It's a 5 screw I frame, 1st Improvement (coil mainspring), 1st style w/ 1/2 penny round site and no barrel rib.
Next came the 2nd style w/ramp sight and barrel rib.
Next came the I frame, 2nd improvement or 1953 model w/ 4 screws, slightly longer grip, larger egg shaped trigger guard and flat latch cylinder release.

 

[Gerald D]

Thank you very much for the detailed response Hondo44, I appreciate all of your replies. The revolver is not for sale, I just picked it up this week, lol.

 

[H Richard]

The Pre-30 is a great little shooter. I wish mine was in as good a condition as yours is. Mine came with some plastic aftermarket stocks, and I replaced with some walnut J Frame boot grips that I had to modify (Shorten) to fit. I'm still looking for a set of original stocks. Mine dates to 1953, S/N 60009X.

 

[Terminator44]

Gerald D: The stag I frame grips were bought on EBay. I believe it was a gentleman from Colorado. It has been a few years now and I don't remember much about him except he commented on a post I made here about this gun in the past and recognized the grips and commented on them. They fit perfectly and exude craftsmanship. In the past I have cut down the non-checkered J frame wooden grips which fit perfectly otherwise as an alternative. I guess the I frame contours are identical to the J frame except they are about 1/8" shorter. Good luck! T44

 

[H Richard]

That would have to be the Exterminator from our Forum. He does make great Elk Stag grips.