Help me date Grandpa's old Smith please.

[toolmaker]

Was given my deceased grandfather's Smith and Wesson .32 long revolver. Rough condition. Really a wall-hanger, but then again, it was a farmer's tool that , I understand, protected the tobacco crop from thieves and warned off the occasional never-do-well during the depths of the depression. There were 8 kids to feed and theivery was not to be tolerated. This personal history piece has a 4.25 inch barrel. 5 screw. Smooth worn plastic (bakelite?)
grip panels. Serial number 26548x. Same number under the barrel behind the lug, but with a "B" or "8" prefix. Date of manufacture anyone? Thanks.

 

[cigardad]

This one is going to be a real tuffy..

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson gives for the 3rd model .32 Hand Ejector a ranges from 1911-1942 for numbers 263001-536684 That averages about 9k per year for 31 years of production. If you figure 9k production per year, yours could be from the first year of production in 1911. Just a guess though...

 

[Flatfender]

Ask over here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve

 

[toolmaker]

Thanks to you both. this is helpful information.

 

[Old Fuff]

You have a Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector; Model of 1903, 3rd. Model.

These were made between 1917 through 1942 in a serial number range running from 263,001 to 271,531

I would estimate it was made in 1917 or 18 (most likely the former). If you want the exact details on that particular revolver take a snapshot of it and send it with the description you made above to Roy Jinks at Smith & Wesson. He is the company's historian and for a $30.00 fee (make out the check to S&W) he will look your gun up in the old records and send you an official letter from Smith & Wesson. These letters are neat to have with a family hand-me-down, and add to the value of the gun itself.

The grips were made of an early plastic material called, "gutta-percha," or "black hard rubber." Be careful of them, as they chip and crack easily.