S & W 32 long CTG??

[lifesaver]

32 winchester CTG 5 Digit SN#

Have a Smith and Weson 32 winchester CTG 6" hand ejector,
Walnut Checkered grips with gold Emblem butt kind of flares at bottom, 5 digit SN#51XXX Last Date on Barrel looks like Sept. 14 08 or 09. can anyone help me with this.

 

[Radagast]

lifesaver: You have a .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 3rd Change Caliber .32-20 Winchester, NOT .32 S&W.
These were manufactured between 1909 & 1915 in the serial number raneg 45201-65700. In very good condition the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $425.00 in 2006, in excellent condition $850.00 and add 50% to 100% if fitted with target sights.

The barrel patent dates were supposedly deleted for this model, but S&W don't believe in waste, so old marked barrel stocks would have been used up rather than thrown out.

 

[shandibfd]

s&w 32 long ctg

can anyone help me figure out around when this gun was made?
32 long ctg barrel is 3 1/4 in

on top of the barrel it says
smith&wesson springfield mass.usa
pat'd april 9.89.march 27.94 may 21.95 aug.4.20.1896.dec.22.1896 oct.4.1896.oct.8.1901.dec.17.1901.sept.2.1902

handle number is 9866

number under barrel is 5651

grips are not orriginal

any help is appreciated
thank you

 

[Old Fuff]

Posting the patent dates was very helpful.

Anyway you have a Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector, Model of 1903.

These were made between 1903 and '04 within a serial number range running from 1 to 19,425. I would make an easy bet that your revolver, which is an early one, was made during 1903.

6-shot cylinder chambered in .32 S&W Long. Standard barrel lengths were 3 1/4, 4 1/4 and 6 inches. Measure from the front cylinder face to the end of the muzzle. Standard finishes were blue or nickel plate with a color case-hardened hammer & trigger. Stocks were made from black hard rubber which is sometimes mistaken for plastic.

If you had ordered it from Sears Roebuck when it was new it would have cost $12.00 plus postage.

 

[shandibfd]

thank you so much for the information. it was very helpfull yes it is 3 1/4. and the tint is blue also maybe a round about of price for the diferent conditions?

 

[W.E.G.]

So long as we are having fun with all-things-.32, I'll toss one in.

32-20

Serial number: 45369

I'm told its 1905 3rd Change Model. Made between 1909-1915.
If there is a way to pin down the exact year without sending a check to S&W, I'd be much obliged.

Nickel finish



They don't make 'em like this no more.

 

[Old Fuff]

Short of spending the reasonable $50.00 fee to have the non-computerized original records checked it's next to impossible to exactly date an early Smith & Wesson.

Why???

Because they would make frames, serial number them, and then put them away...

When they needed to make them into guns - sometimes literally years later - they would pull the frames out of inventory, but not necessarily the oldest ones first, or in any numerical order. :banghead:

Sometimes you can narrow things down by looking at certain features that were introduced at a particular time, but this isn't a sure thing either.

Anyway the stocks on your revolver date from about 1910 to about 1920. Shortly after the 3rd. change was introduced at "around" serial number 45, 201 the patent dates were moved from the side of the barrel to the top.

So Gun Detective Fuff would bet that your gun was made around 1909 or '10, but only Roy Jinks at S&W would know (or be able to find out) for sure.

 

[Tony Mendonça]

help please!

Hello! My name is Tony and I write from Brazil.
First sorry for bad english, but I want to congratulate you for the great forum!
I received an inheritance from Smith & Wesson gun from my grandfather and I describe it:
Smith & Wesson 32 long CTG, 6 shots
Patents in the barrel: feb. 6 06; Sept. 14 09; 29 Dec. 14 and, in the "butt" (grip) June 5 1917.
The pipe carries the information: up: Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. USA, on the left to who wields the gun with his right hand: Smith & Wesson, and across 32 long CTG.
501,735 number written inside the "butt" (grip) on the drum where the bullets are going and staying in the pipe that is covered by the system for the disposal of the cartridge.
Number 24,112 in the hinge barrel and also in part what it covers.
the length of the barrel seems to be 6 inches.
If possible I would like to obtain information about this weapon, because in my country we have no suitable material.
If you need more information feel free to ask
Again sorry for poor English.:banghead:
Thank you for your help.

 

[Radagast]

Tony Mendonca:
You have a S&W .32 Hand Ejector Third Model manufactured between 1917 & 1942 in the serial range 263001 to 536684. Heat treating of cylinders began in 1920 around serial number 321000 Guns in the 509,000 serial range shipped in 1929 so your gun probably dates to between 1920 & 1929.

These guns were built on the small I frame, modern grips may not fit as they are usually made for the slightly larger J frame. After World War II production resumed and in 1957 the .32 Hand Ejector was designated the Model 30.

 

[Tony Mendonça]

Thanks for your help!
So it seems that was manufactured before the second world war.
Do you have any idea of the value of this weapon in historical terms and trade?
Here in Brazil, according to a story of my family were very few imported weapons like this and there is a certain historical value, but did not have a single concrete information about it before moving here!
Thanks again!

 

[Radagast]

It has no special value, as over half a million guns were made on this size frame over a 60 year period. In the USA value could be between $90 & $350 depending upon condition.

 

[Tony Mendonça]

I understand that's what I thought, due to high numbers.
I can not say here in Brazil many came to the point of making them rare, especially with our system of restriction in weapons acquisition. So now you have the idea, took over a year to get the documentation for the legalization of this weapon.
Another question related to Mr. Roy Jinks and the service he provides to the historical charts, you would have a contact email so I can ask if he would meet a request of Brazil, because, as I have great affection for the gun, I am interested in contacting him for an evaluation.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Old Fuff]

The information concerning historical letters of authentication from Smith & Wesson’s historian, Roy G. Jinks can be obtained from the link listed below.

In exchange for a $50.00 research fee (make any check out to Smith & Wesson, not Mr. Jinks) he will search through the company’s original records until he finds your particular revolver. He will then send you an official letter which usually includes:

A short history of the revolver model’s background.

What the barrel length, caliber/cartridge, finish and stocks were, as well as the exact date it was shipped from the factory – and to what distributor, dealer or individual – as whatever the case may be.

Because of the demand for this service, expect that an answer may take several months - but you will get an answer.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=10001&content=25301&sectionId=10504

 

[Tony Mendonça]

thanks guys!
You helped me a lot in my research that will help keep the memory of my grandfather alive!
So you can post a picture of the gun for you to see and assess their conditions.
I'll contact Smith & Wesson to see the possibilities of the letter!
Thanks again!

 

[W.E.G.]

Thanks for your interest and help Old Fuff!

 

[shandibfd]

i was woundering what my mod of 1903 was worth and if you could tell me more about them

 

[Radagast]

shandibfd:
The .32 Hand Ejector was the first gun manufactured by S&W with a swing out cylinder, starting in 1896. Earlier top break guns automatically ejected the cartridges when opened, with the hand ejector you had to press the ejector rod yourself, hence the name.

The model of 1903 was the second version of the .32 Hand Ejector, the most noticeable difference being the locking lug on the underside of the barrel, which the first model lacked.

Your gun lacks the modern hammer block safety and the cylinder has not been heat treated, so it would be prudent to refrain from shooting hot hand loads and to leave the chamber under the hammer empty.

In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave the following values:
As New in Box: $700, Excellent Plus $385, Very Good $315, Good $275, Fair $165, Poor $90.

Note these prices are indicative only - the value is what a real buyer is willing to pay. As the .32 S&W Long is pretty much an obsolete round for personal defence you would need to find a collector to realize a higher value.

We can't tell you the condition of your gun and hence approximate value without good resolution photos.

 

[Kazion]

First, how have I missed this site for so long?


Second, just acquired a S&W .32 in a in a hardware exchange - an old celeron laptop for the pistol in question, even trade

What I know:
It was stored in a plastic bag on a boat for decades.
It's seen better days, with most of the bluing gone.
It's still ROCK solid, tight action, and smooth operation, though I've not fired it yet.

barrel reads " 32 long ctg", and the last date, I believe (badly worn!) is "Dec 17 01"
barrel length 4 1/4"
Serial on the round-ish butt is "147", with a matching serial on cylinder face
serial number inside hinge is "11525", also matching serial on hinge.
Double action
black (dark green?) checkered grips, probably rubber
pinned front sight

It feels good in my hands, though small, and has good balance. Other than the previously mentioned wear on the finish, you could use this unit as the poster child for "They don't make them like they used to".

Any info on manufactured period and usable ammo if still available, would be most appreciated, and I've started the process to get my letter from Mr. Jinks.

Thanks for your time and efforts....


edited to add barrel length

 

[Old Fuff]

Well you have me hopelessly "confoosed"... again...

Your description and serial number match Smith & Wesson's first hand ejector revolver, and the first one chambered in .32 S&W Long. That would be the .32 model 1896 hand ejector / Model I, First model.

Some 19,712 were made from 1896 to 1903, starting at serial #1. If the serial number you posted is correct it should have been made in 1896.

On the other hand the patent dates should be stamped on the cylinder, not the barrel, and the last one should be July 16, 1895.

The Dec. 17, 1901 date does appear on later models of the same revolver.

A picture would be a great help in confirming a questionable identification.

 

[Kazion]

Pics attached...

patent marks ARE on barrel, none to be seen on cylinder.

Ah, the joys of a challenge, eh?

 

[mnrivrat]

Looks to be a version of the 1903 HE which would mean the serial number may have some digits that are hard to read on the butt.

The correct ammo is the .32 S&W, and/or the .32 S&W long cartridges. In resaonably good mechanical condition it should fire either of these with no concern, as both are rather low pressure rounds.

I have a 1903 HE 5th change in cosmeticaly poor condition but it shoots just fine. These are not highly collectable guns in the condition yours is in, the value is about $150 . The grips are hard rubber , and this is an "I" frame gun.

 

[Old Fuff]

Kazion:

You have a S&W .32 Hand Ejector, Model of 1903. Between 1903 and 1904 they made 19,425, starting again at serial number 1. Your revolver was apparently a very early one, made during 1903. It is possible the pinned front sight was done at the factory on special order, but I think it was an after market modification because the pin isn't centered in the lug. Standard barrel lengths were 3 1/4, 4 1/4 and 6 inches. Cataloged finishes were blue or nickel plate, with color-casehardened hammers and triggers. Stocks are molded black hard rubber. They were individually fitted to the gun, and are serial numbered on the inside. The patent dates are correct for that model.

Six shot, chambered in .32 S&W Long, and ammunition is available - at least by special order if not in stock. Do take the revolver's age into consideration and only use standard loads. Because of the condition I wouldn't value it over $150. In better shape it would be worth 3 times that.

Obviously pictures are a big help in doubtful cases...

 

[Kazion]

As I said before, your time and efforts are much appreciated folks.

 

[ZBill]

one more manufacture date please

If possible, I would appreciate learning the manufacture date and model name for a S&W hand ejector 3 1/4 inch barrel, 32 SW Long. Nickle finish with hard rubber black grips.

Serial Number 870XX on grip butt and also on the rear of cylinder.

4 lines of text on top of barrel with last date July 7 1903.

Original (?) box is reddish brown with "Smith and Wesson 32 Hand Ejector 3 1/4 Inch" label on the outer box lid as well and printed on the inside box top.

Thanks to all for this great information resources. Regards, Bill

 

[Radagast]

ZBill:
You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 2nd Change manufactured between 1906 & 1909 in the serial range 51127 & 95500.
The box adds to the guns value to a collector, and if the gun is unfired I suggest you leave it that way. in 2006 the Standard catalog of S&W gave a value of $385 in excellent condition, $700 for as new in box.