[guyshomenet]

I inherited a S&W revolver which I intend to sell. Since I'm not a revolver or S&W fan, I have no idea what I'm holding (not even the model number), how to determine when it was made or what its street value may be.

Photos below. Here are the pieces of info I can glean:


Barrel stamped "32 LONG GTG"
Serial number on base of grip 31752
Number inside of cylinder well appears to be 14394


No other markings.

http://www.GunFacts.info/images/PIC_126.jpg
http://www.GunFacts.info/images/PIC_127.jpg

[mnrivrat]

You have a 1903 Model S&W Hand Ejector in .32 S&W Long chambering.

They came in several variations and soon someone will come along to ID yours more specificaly based on the SN and other features. Looks like you may have factory pearl grips ? The standard grip was made of black hard rubber.

I have one simular to yours with the hard rubber grip and it was made in 1911 or 1912 and is a 5th change 1903 model. Mine is nickel plated . These were I frame guns .

[guyshomenet]

Thanks for the initial info. That gives me a starting point, and I'm sure looking forward to input from others as well.

I have no idea if the pearl handles were original or not, but knowing the period when my grandfather acquired it, and the likelihood it was a gift from a well-heeled patient of his, and if pearl grips were a S&W option, then they are likely originals (I'm the second owner and granddad was not a gunnie, so he was unlikely to fire the gun much less change the grips).

After some other folks chime in, I'd like to determine the value in for the insurance company (if necessary).

[mnrivrat]

There are several very knowledgable members here when it comes to these old S&W guns. If he doesn't show up soon you can try a pm to old fuff who is one of the top S&W guys.

I have a 1903 S&W .32 Hand Ejector 5th change sn 126,4xx which I think is early in the production of the 5th change and likely made in 1911 or 1912. There were several changes to the 1903 gun and the SN and the pat. dates on the top of the barrel will narrow yours down to which change it is.

Pearls were a factory option back then so I suspect yours are original.

You will get a recommendation to have your gun lettered. I believe in your case that is an excellent idea. For a $30 fee the S&W historian will research your particular gun and give all factory information regarding it. That will confirm what grips the gun was sent out with, where it was sent, etc. Well worth the $30 fee and increases the value by more than the cost. You need a couple good poto's and a complete discription of the SN and marking to sent to Roy at S&W. You can look up that service on the S&W web site I would guess.

ps: The sn on your gun is the one stamped at the bottom of the grip frame. That number will also likely show up on the back of the cylinder. The other number in the crane area is an assy number or something like that. Your SN seems to me to indicate an early gun manufacturd before 1911 but I will leave the specifics to others who have more detailed data available to them.

[Guillermo]

Looks pretty good.

I will give you fifty dollars for it.

[Guillermo]

BTW
While I am no Old Fuff, it looks to be a 1903 HE "2nd change."

[Old Fuff]

Well everybody is doing pretty well this morning, so maybe I’ll be able to retire… :D

Judging from the serial number (31,752), your revolver is a Smith & Wesson 1903 Hand Ejector, 1st. Change. Hand Ejector means that the cylinder swings out to the left for loading and unloading, as opposed to the earlier S&W top-break design where the barrel was tipped down.

The 1st Change variant was made between 1904 and 1906, within a serial number range running from 19,426 to 51,126. Standard barrel lengths were 3 ¼, 4 ¼ and 6 inches, and it appears that your revolver has the longest length. Cataloged finishes were full blue or nickel plate.

The pearl stocks may or may not be original to the gun. Smith & Wesson did offer them as an extra cost option, but they usually would have gold trademark medallions inserted at the top if they were a genuine S&W product. If they were genuine, and you could prove it (something I’ll get into later) they would add considerably to the gun’s value. If they were not they would still add to the value, but lesser so. So how do you find out? The answer is to have the gun documented or “lettered,” by the company.

To do this you will need a snapshot of the gun, a full description including the serial number on the butt, and a check in the amount of $30.00 made out to Smith & Wesson. In exchange the company's historian, Roy G. Jinks, will research the original records (which are not computerized by the way) and send you a letter containing the details of what he finds.

This comprehensive document will contain an overview of the model’s history, followed by the details of your particular gun. This usually includes the caliber, barrel length, finish, and the exact date it was shipped from the factory, and to what distributor or dealer. If there are any special features (such as pearl stocks) they will be listed too. Even if you sell the revolver (which I wouldn’t do if it had been passed down through the family), the letter would add to the overall value of the package beyond its modest cost.

Additional information on a historical letter will be found at the Smith & Wesson company website at:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&content=25301&sectionId=10504

I have not provided you with a value because the posted photographs are not clear enough to determine its exact condition, although they did aid in making a correct identification as to the model. If you do choose to sell it I suggest you go to: www.armchairgunshow.com

[Guillermo]

no Fuff!!!

You Can"t Retire!

We Need You!!!

[Old Fuff]

We Need You!!!

Well then (sniff) stop trying to undercut me every time I try (sob!) to make a dishonest dollar... :what: :evil: :D

[Guillermo]

Well then (sniff) stop trying to undercut me every time I try (sob!) to make a dishonest dollar...


Hey OF,

No offense. I just don't have enough wheel guns in the stable.

If you can get him to sell it to me for $50 I will give you a kickback. :evil:

[Old Fuff]

The Evil Fuff has decided to ruin your whole day... :evil:

Go look at the pictures in this thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=372299

If that doesn't do it nothing will. :D

[Guillermo]

The Evil Fuff has decided to ruin your whole day

Sometimes you are just mean :fire:

And you hosed yourself out of a kickback! :cuss:

But my day will be fine I assure you. Heading to the range with my 15 yr old daughter so that she can shoot her Smith 19. :D

[Old Fuff]

But my day will be fine I assure you. Heading to the range with my 15 yr old daughter so that she can shoot her Smith 19.

So now you ruined my day.... :uhoh:

But on the other hand if she outshoots you .... :neener: :D

[Guillermo]

While this is swerving this thread, and I apologize, but she shot very well. We always start with the Buckmark or the S&W 41 and work up. She was doing very well with the rimfire and a nice job with .38s. Sadly her Model 19 locked up after a couple of dozen .357s. Can’t open the cylinder, the action will not spin.

Still, we had a nice time. Spent 3 hours and I probably didn't shoot a hundred rounds. Mostly I was loading for her.

Anytime a young lady is at the range all the guys make a point to smile and say hi to her. The encouragement for females is beyond attractiveness or flirting. They all love women who shoot and are welcoming.

I am always appreciative of the shooting community for how they treat my daughter.

Thank all of you who greet women to the range with such kindness and class.

:p

[Old Fuff]

I agree with your observations regarding female shooters. Let no one think that the ladies can't shoot. I have known several national and international champions that proved otherwise. :)

Check for unburnt powder and fouling under the extractor star. It may be hanging up your Model 19. Also be sure the ejector rod hasn't unscrewed itself, and remember it has a left hand thread.

[mnrivrat]

Check for unburnt powder and fouling under the extractor star. It may be hanging up your Model 19. Also be sure the ejector rod hasn't unscrewed itself, and remember it has a left hand thread.

Beat me to it - I second the motion ! :D (is that worth anything ? LOL)

[Guillermo]

Check for unburnt powder and fouling under the extractor star

can't rotate the cylinder. Can't swing the yoke open. Locked up like the legs of my first wife.

(the young lady that I spent the day with was a good shot, impeccable with her safety and made me proud all day...I am blessed)

:o

[Old Fuff]

When you push on the thumbpiece does it go forward like it should?

If not it may be necessary to fully disassemble the lockwork to get at the problem. Once the hammer is out of the way you can get to what has to be gotten to... ;)

[Guillermo]

it feels like it does go its normal travel but will not release the cylinder

[Guillermo]

when I pull the hammer back I see the lock under the cylinder release as well

[Guillermo]

Okay Old Fuff,

Totally hijacking this thread (sorry) I kept pulling the hammer back and working the cylinder back and forth with my hand while we “talked”. After 20 tries the hammer came back and the cylinder spun. After another few tries the cylinder released. It seems to be fine now.

Got any ideas as to what happened?

[mnrivrat]

Sounds like your ejector rod was loose - when you got the cylinder to spin it turned in (tightened) far enough to release .

[Guillermo]

can't spin it now that I can get to it

[mnrivrat]

If the rod is tight and you figure it was not the problem than I would have to guess the crude under the ejection star may have been it. Hard to tell for sure.

ps: Old Fuff , not trying to take your place here, just thought I would give you a chance to step outside and have a shot of Jack to unwind ! :D

[Guillermo]

have not cleaned it but it looks good. It was clean before she shot 100 or 150 rounds through it.

Still looks nice to me. Nothing under the star and only minimal crud on the other side.

And do not worry about stepping on Old Fuff. He is thinking about abandoning us and retiring. As though we could go on without him!!!

I shutter at the thought

:(

[mnrivrat]

Doesn't take a lot under the star so perhaps it dislodged by the time you got it apart ? I locked one up a couple months back with what looked like a single flake of unburned powder under the extractor star so hope is that it will be just fine now.

No - Old Fuff is not allowed retirement and no vacations either guy !

[Old Fuff]

No Vacations!!!!!!

:cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss:

My attorney will call on you in the morning... WARS HAVE BEEN STARTED FOR LESS ! ! ! ! !!! :banghead: :D

[Guillermo]

Hey Old Fuff

mnrivrat is right. You have too much responsibility here to have a respite.

But he misspoke. You can take a vacation. But you have to bring your laptop and take care of us HighRoaders every day.

[mnrivrat]

See you fellows later - I'm trying to find a big enough rock to hide under :uhoh: ;)

[Old Fuff]

But you have to bring your laptop and take care of us HighRoaders every day.

Boy....... This here is frontier Arizona.... :eek:

I trust you can read smoke signals. :evil:

[Guillermo]

don't make us come looking for you.

You might mistake us for your cellular network.