S&W 32 Family Heirloom

[BullSkater]

I inherited a old S&W 1903 32 S&W long in fair shape. My dad was shooting the gun until he gave it to me. I noticed that the timing on two of the cylinders is a little off so I am thinking of sending it back to Smith to be checked out and repaired and maybe refinshed since it is no a family heirloom. Do you think that is a good idea or should I find a different gunsmith.

 

[Freshgrease]

Personally, I feel wear & tear is half the sentimental value of any heirloom. Getting it repaired would erase alot of the memories of the gun. I've got a 1920's era .22lr semi-auto Winchester (dunno what model) that was passed along from my great grandfather to my father (then to me). I've shot thousands of rounds through it, and it jams more often than it shoots.

The only instance I would think of having it worked on is if it wouldn't fire or if it was rusted to pieces.

 

[Pistol Toter]

As a small time S&W collector; as long as the gun is not badly rusted I would not do anything to it just keep it clean and lightly oiled. Thin or aging blueing is not necessaryly a bad attribute, after all it's an old gun. As far as the timing problem / retarded carry up, S&W may not have parts and at it's age may not want to work on it. The problem is most likely a worn hand and a good gunsmith can repair or if the part is available repalce it or even make a hand. The star or rachet that is on the rear face of the cylinder could be the problem. That would be a hard part to find, but even some modifications can be effected to it. If it were mine and the repairs could be performed without much fanfare, I would do so. Occasionaly fire it if I wished, but basicly retire it as an example of fine craftsmanship that is remains in working order. After all there are other guns that can be used for harder use. I wouldn't refinish it. Find you a good first rate, qualified smith and let him look at it and make recommendations as to feasibility for repairs. Just my two cents.

 

[Pistol Toter]

As an after thought to the above post: look on the bottom of the grip frame and provide us the serial number and one of us will give you a close proxmity of the age of the fine ole gun. That ame number shold also apear on a flat surface on the bottom of the barrel, the rear face of the cylinder, behind the extractor star/ratchet, also look on the back side of the right stock and see if the serial number is penciled or stamped there; if that number matches the stocks are original. Take care in removing the stocks as they may be dried out and tend to break or chip. Losen the screw and use it to push off the opposing side and then remove that side by gently push from the inside the side with the screw. Use a proper fitting screwdriver.

 

[BullSkater]

The # is 1995xx
The cyl parts and hand look good. Need to find a S&W guy in GA.

 

[rondog]

Go to Hobby Lobby and find a nice shadow box to mount it in, and put it on the wall. They have some with hinged fronts that are perfect for pistol displays, just open it up and take the pistol out to admire or lock up.

Like this one.

 

[Pistol Toter]

Looks like it is a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 5th change. Built on a round butt "I" frame with 5 screws, 3.25" & 4.25" & 6" pinned round barrel. It was simular to the 4th chamge except witk major internal changes. Blue or Nickel finishes. Small S&W trademark on the left side. Serial Number range 102501 - 263000 mfgd 1910-1917

Agreed, put it in a shadow box.

 

[Jim K]

IIRC, S&W will not repair any gun older than 50 (I think) years. They just don't have the old parts any more.

How did you test the timing? If you fire the gun in the normal manner does it lock up? Many older guns will not lock if the cylinder is turned slowly or held back (as some experts suggest for checking) but will function fine when fired.

Jim

 

[BullSkater]

I turned it slowly with a little hold on the cylinder.

 

[Pistol Toter]

Well I typed you a detailed explaination, but the dang thing didn't post.:banghead:

 

[MrBorland]

IIRC, S&W will not repair any gun older than 50 (I think) years. They just don't have the old parts any more.

I just asked S&W about fixing my 1951 K-22, to which they replied they can't/won't work on a gun that old. They recommended contacting Dave Chicoine at oldwestgunsmith.com, who specialized in the repair and refinishing of vintage revolvers (perhaps I should have, but I never heard of him before, and I took a direct recommendation from S&W as an indication he's one of the better ones out there working on old wheelguns).

I called Dave, and he's a super nice guy who answered all my questions. I'd give him a call, and as pistoltoter suggested, if the repair isn't too much of a hassle and/or wouldn't affect the finish of the gun, consider having it fixed.