"OLD" 32 Long Caliber Revolver

Nice

They will be along shortly

If you add your serial # and x out the last couple digits they will help.

or if you go to the top of this revolver section you will see a sticky on what is needed to date your Smith

Welcome to THR

The gun is the .32 Hand Ejector, Third Model; they were made from 1911 to 1942. The serial number should be between 263001 and 534532, probably toward the high end of that range. When S&W went to model numbers c. 1957, that gun became the Model 30.

Value in the condition shown would be around $200.

Jim

That's a nice old I-frame S&W.

Those original wood grips look to be in very good shape. They alone sell for $50 - $75 on eBay.

Kanook is right, but our ability to identify a gun is dependent on how much information is provided, and yes - a picture is a big help. The marking on the side of the barrel simply says what cartridge the revolver is chambered to use, but not the model. The 1917 patent date on the bottom of the stocks is more helpful, because it was only used on one model, and the patent refers to the stocks themselves. The serial number is stamped on the front of the frame's handle just above the mainspring strain screw.

Apparently you have a Smith & Wesson 32 Regulation Police. The model was introduced in 1917 with the beginning serial number being in the 331,000 range. I estimate your revolver (#373,2xx) was made sometime between 1918 and the early 1920's. Standard barrel lengths were 3 1/4, 4 1/4 and 6 inches. Standard finish was either blue or nickel plate. Almost all of them had checkered walnut stocks. The hammer and trigger were color case hardened. Approximate value is between $200 to $350 depending on condition. .32 S&W Long ammunition is available, although it may have to be special ordered.

If you want to know more, and are willing to pay a reasonable $50.00 research fee, S&W will have they're company historian look up your particular revolver in the old shipping records, and send you a formal letter containing whatever information they find. It usually contains the date the gun was shipped from the factory, and to what distributor, dealer or individual.

Additional information can be found at: www.smith-wesson.com

The gun is the .32 Hand Ejector, Third Model; they were made from 1911 to 1942.

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Sort of...

The Regulation Police model was a later variant of the .32 Hand Ejector. The former had a round butt, where the Police Model had a square one. Otherwise they were the same, but the Police Model is less common, which accounts for the difference in value.

You're more then welcome. The High Road has grown because of the many members who can provide authoritative information on just about any firearms related question anyone can think of.

You may also find additional threads by going to the forum's Search feature in the green bar at the top of the page on the right, and use the key term "Regulation Police."

Your information was very helpful

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I keep bugging Old Fuff to write a book but he says that only a few freaks would buy it.

I keep bugging Old Fuff to write a book but he says that only a few freaks would buy it.

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If you go to a publisher with a book about how to fix/tune a 1911 platform pistol you'll find they are interested. Same with AR-15 style rifles. After that the market gets smaller and smaller. One can self publish of course, but then you'll end up with 10,000 unsold books that you prepaid for. When you get into revolvers, especially older ones, everyone that's interested think anything they need to know, they already know - even if they don't...

First you pry off the cover on the side, and then take out the inside parts and polish them. After that you can lighten the double-action trigger pull by replacing the springs with some you took out of old ball-point pens. Don't forget to take grind off the hammer spur...

everyone that's interested think anything they need to know

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apparently not EVERYONE as you are closing in on SIXTEEN THOUSAND posts. Even when calculating in verbosity that is over Two Hundred with real information in them.

Excellent Idea!

I can copy all of my posts, combine them in a book, and sell the book for $75.00...

No... ??

I shot that exact same model. It belongs to my mother in law who inherited it from her father. He used it as his duty weapon in the Louisiana State Police, he used to guard the "gub'ner". He was also a tailgunner, had a hell of a life, a shame I never got to meet him.

Back on topic give her a good cleaning and take her shooting, "make yer daddy proud" .

I had an slightly older S&W that I bought for $150. It looked a little rough, but it shot like a dream. The .32 S&W Long is known for its accuracy and is even currently chambered in some high-end target pistols, like Hammerli. So it's not likely to go obsolete anytime soon.

I can copy all of my posts, combine them in a book, and sell the book for $75.00

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no, just the 200 that contain information

It'd be neat to have a good interviewer sit down with Old Fuff and a pot of good coffee, turn on a video recorder, and start the interview with a question like "Let's talk about Smith & Wesson revolvers." and let it go from there.

I'd pay money for a DVD of that.

Fuff, you forgot about grinding off the front of the trigger guard because "somebody named Fritz did it that way".

Good catch on the stocks, though. I thought the RP's all had the medallion, but apparently not. The sure check would be to remove the stocks and see if the notch is cut in the backstrap an inch or so up from the butt. That and the serial number location are the sure signs of an RP vs the regular HE.

Jim

Fuff, you forgot about grinding off the front of the trigger guard because "somebody named Fritz did it that way".

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I’m all in favor – but some members would form a lynch mob…

That and the serial number location are the sure signs of an RP vs the regular HE.

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I was pretty sure that I could see the edge of the serial number stamped on the forestrap in the picture. Also the 1917 patent stamp on the bottom of the stocks was exclusive to the Regulation Police model. They patented the notch in the backstrap you refered to. This made it unnecessary to make a whole different frame. If the stocks have the patent the frame will be (or at least should be) notched.

It'd be neat to have a good interviewer sit down with Old Fuff and a pot of good coffee, turn on a video recorder,

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I'll go for the coffee, but you'd better get a tape recorder (that's been suggested before) because my face might crack the lens in a video camcorder...

The man you really want to get is Roy Jinks, the Smith & Wesson company historian. He has forgot more then I know.

He has forgot more then I know

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That sir, is impossible on the subject at hand

That sir, is impossible on the subject at hand

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Since Roy has worked for the company since the 1950's, has written at least 4 books and I don't know how many magazine articles on S&W, has a huge personal collection, and complete access to the company's records going back to before the Civil War.....

He does know a few things I don't, but I'm working to catch up.

has written at least 4 books and I don't know how many magazine articles

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so maybe there IS a market

You just ran out of excuses mister

Oh Darn!!!

I should have stuck to grinding hammer spurs off of helpless revolvers and making them double-action only...

My problem is that everyone want's me too do something, but each one wants me to do something different.

....

nice revolver,i like 32 s/w i had a rg 32 against the better judgement of a few on here about that brand, it was like new and it really went out of time quick,like the load,just need it in a better gun.im learning my lesson.