S & W 32 long CTG??

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I just wanted to say that I finally sent off for a history letter from S&W. I received the letter yesterday. Old Fuff nailed the serial number details, but the additional information was that the gun was shipped to Simmons Hardware Co. in St. Louis on November 22, 1906.
 
Old Fuff, Thanks!

to post # 118. I will be contacting S&W for that letter. Your expertise and kindness is well appreciated, and I will think of it when I shoot the gun for the first time. Another connection with my family legacy has been made.

Be well,
Neil W. Ahrens (Bobile)
 
Old Fuff,
I also stumbled accross your thread through a little googling. I have the exact same S&W 32 Long as in post #119 (sn# 337,130). I guess based on your other dating, I can assume mine was made in the early 20's. My question is were they sold on the open market or were they only issued to police. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I know nothing about guns and this was found amoungst my great aunt's possesions.
 
The "Regulation Police" was the name of the model. Smith & Wesson, starting with the beginning of the company in 1857 always sold their products to civilians, law enforcement and both foreign and U.S. military establishments. The only exception that I know of offhand was their model 76 sub-machinegun and a carbine developed for the British in 1940.

The Regulation Police model was targeted toward the law enforcement market at a time when even uniformed officers tended to carry revolvers under their coats. It was part of the 1903 Hand Ejector series, and the R.P. was introduced in 1917 at or about serial number 331,320. Your serial number 337,130 is an early one, but I don't believe many were made during 1918 when the First World War was on. I would speculate it was made during 1919 to perhaps 1921. It was one of Smith & Wessons more popular guns between the world wars.
 
i have one of these i am trying to find info on. its not in real good shape but i am wanting to restore it.

left side of barrel: 32 winchester o/ctg (not sure which due to a flaw)
numbers on butt and cylinder are: J8064 (the numbers are clear but it looks like a letter just before them with the same spacing as the numbers, it might just be 8064)
when the cylinder is open there is a number on the frame: 371 31

as far as i can tell there are no other markings on the gun but like i said its not in the best of condition.

this gun is nearly identical to the picture of a smith and wesson/winchester 32-20 (32wcf) military and police 2nd model i seen on armsbid.com. with a few exceptions the butt is wide and flat on bottom, not narrow and round. and the armsbid one has a straight barrel mine has a slight tapering as it comes out of the gun and then goes straight. everything else is a match includeing the location of the pins that show on the left side of the gun. the entire plate on the right that covers the internal mechanics is missing so no help there on any markings.

i know i need to order a couple of parts but i'm not sure what to tell the shop when i order them.

any ideas as to exacaly what this is??
 
It would appear to be a Smith & Wesson .32-20 1905 Hand Ejector, but none of these had a letter in the serial number. The missing part is called a "sideplate" and you have a problem there in that they were individually fitted to each frame. You could buy a replacement but it is questionable if it would work.

The serial number on original parts were stamped on the butt of the frame, rear face of the cylinder, bottom of the barrel on the flat above the ejector rod, and inside the stocks. The other number you found is a factory assembly number, and for purposes of identification doesn't matter.

There were aslo patent dates stamped on top of the barrel. If you can read then list the last one or two.

It could be a Spanish copy of a S&W - they made a lot of them. The unusual shape of the barrel makes me wonder. A picture would be a big aid in identification.
 
s&w ctg

My mother-in-law has an old S&W 32 ctg with a mother of pearl handle and the serial number 175187. She has had it at least 30 years. Can anyone tell me how old it might be? I know practically nothing about handguns.
 
Need to have more information because S&W made several models of .32 revolvers.

1. Is it a "hand ejector," where you swing the cylinder out to the left to load and unload it, or is it a top-break where you twist the barrel downward and the cartridges eject themselves as you do this, or is it something entirely different?

2. There may be patent dates on top of the barrel. If so, what are the last two?

3. Measure the barrel length from the front face of the cylinder to the end of the barrel.

4. Can you cock and fire this revolver by pulling the trigger, or do you have to thumb-cock it first?

5. Or does it have an enclosed hammer that you can't cock with your thumb, and a grip safety on the back of the handle that you have to squeeze before you can pull the trigger?
 
Joint Winchester/S&W .32 revolver

Inherited an old .32 caliber revolver: S&W on grips/frame with ".32 Winchester OTG" on barrel. Serial number on barrel matches others on gun: "21717." Have not yet the opportunity to send off to S&W for gun history. Any information on age, rarity, etc. is greatly appreciated. See pics.

This is a hand ejector, double action, 4 1/4 inch barrel, exposed hammer, last two dates on barrel are:Sept 02, July 03.
 

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Your revolver is a Smith & Wesson .32-20 Hand Ejector, Model of 1905.

This particular variant was made between 1905 and 1906, within a serial number range running from 18,126 to 22,426 with 4,300 being produced.

Standard barrel lengths were 4, 5 and 6 1/2 inches (measured from the cylinder face to the end of the muzzle). Cataloged finishes were blue or nickel plated. The stocks were molded hard rubber. The .32-20 cartridge (also known as the .32 Winchecter Center Fire, or "W.C.F.) was used in Winchester and other rifles, and the S&W revolver could use the same round.

While your revolver isn't particularly valuable as a collector's item, it is over a century old, and I would think important to you and your family. I would get a historical letter from S&W.

I should add that the information and photographs you provided were especially helpful in making an identification.
 
Smith and Wesson CTG .32

Great Forum! Lots of good info thus far...

Like everyone else, we've been trying to figure out what we have here. There is significant deterioration of the finish along the the top and sides of the barrel, so I'm not sure if it is stainless, nickel, or what. All I can tell is that it has 32 S&W CTG stamped along the side of the barrel. Along the top of the barrel is Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass USA Pat'd Feby 20 xx, Dec 18 xx, May 11, x0, Sept 11, 8x, Oct 2,88(?), Aug 4, xx. I cant make out the years clearly even with a magnifying glass. Serial number is 1509xx. It is a hammerless 5 round top break double action revolver with 3" barrel. The butt of the pistol has some checkering and appears to push in at the top of where your hand wraps around the grip. The grip is also dark colored with a checker pattern. Five rounds are with it that have R-P 32 S&W stamped on the casing.

Any guesses on what we have??? It is identical to Yitbos69's pictures.

Thanks! Pete
 
Well in spite of it all, you posted a pretty good description... :cool:

I think you have a Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless, 2nd. Model. They were made between 1902 and 1909, within a serial number range running from 91,418 to about 170,000. No. 150,9xx was probably made around 1905 give or take a couple of years.

These were very popular pocket revolvers because that checkered piece you see on the back of the handle is a grip safety that has to be squeezed in before the trigger is pulled. The feature made accidental discharges almost impossible, and it was also advertised as an additional safety if small children were around. Standard barrel lengths were 3 and 3 1/2 inches, but special lengths ran from 2 to 6 inches. The stocks are black hard rubber that have likely turned brownish with age. Be careful, as they are now very fragile and crack or chip easily. Standard finishes were full blue or nickel plate with a blued barrel latch and trigger guard. The trigger was color case-hardened.

Those patent dates you can't read are: Feb. 20 1887, Dec. 18, 1887, May 11, 1880, Sept. 11, 1883, Oct. 2, 1883, Aug. 4, 1885.

The 5-shot cylinder is chambered in .32 S&W. Ammunition is around but difficult to find. Given the revolvers age and condition it might not be a good idea to shoot it.

Production started in 1888 and the gun was so well liked it continued in S&W's catalog until 1937.

Given this gun's history, I suggest that you get it "lettered." To do so 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 they will be listed too. This information is often invaluable to both you and future generations.

Additional information on a historical letter will be found at the Smith & Wesson company website at: www.smith-wesson.com
 
OK my S&W has barral markings 32 Long CTG on right and Smith and Wesson on left barrel Serial #571xxx. what do I have
 
Welcome to the High Road, but we need more information. I could take a long shot at what you posted, but I'd have an equal chance of being right or wrong. So to better identify what your revolver is:

How long is the barrel? Measure from the front of the cylinder to the end of the muzzle.

Are there patent dates stamped on to of the barrel? If so, what is the last one?

I would expect it has a round butt, with black, hard-rubber stocks. If not, describe what they are.

The answers should at least get things started... ;)
 
Another .32

What is the manufacture date of a Smith and Wesson .32 Long, 6 shot, 1.5 barrel. The serial number on the bottom of the frame is H35462. It has walnut grips.

Thank you!
Joe
 
Hello, New member.

Just a quick question, I recently was shown a old 32 S&W CTG but the number 2 is backwards. The gun is hammerless silver plated with pearl handles Serial Number 134662 3 1/2 barrel, 5 shot. Sorry I can not include pictures. Can you tell me what year is it?
 
Getting to be either a joke or a new free Internet S&W Identification Service. :)
 
idiazsantiago:

Welcome to The High Road. :cool:

I think your revolver is identical to one I identified in post #139 in this thread, so I'll repeat myself.

I think you have a Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless, 2nd. Model. They were made between 1902 and 1909, within a serial number range running from 91,418 to about 170,000. No. 134,662 was probably made around 1905 give or take a couple of years.

These were very popular pocket revolvers because that checkered piece you see on the back of the handle is a grip safety that has to be squeezed in before the trigger is pulled. The feature made accidental discharges almost impossible, and it was also advertised as an additional safety if small children were around. Standard barrel lengths were 3 and 3 1/2 inches, but special lengths ran from 2 to 6 inches. The stocks are mother of pearl, and if they have a gold colored S&W medalion at the top they're genuine S&W stocks and worth somewhat more then others. Standard finishes were full blue or nickel plate with a blued barrel latch and trigger guard. The trigger was color case-hardened.

The patent dates on top of the barrel are: Feb. 20 1887, Dec. 18, 1887, May 11, 1880, Sept. 11, 1883, Oct. 2, 1883, Aug. 4, 1885.

The 5-shot cylinder is chambered in .32 S&W. Ammunition is around but difficult to find. Given the revolvers age it might not be a good idea to shoot it.

Production started in 1888 and the gun was so well liked it continued in S&W's catalog until 1937.

Given this gun's history, I suggest that you get it "lettered." To do so 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 they will be listed too. This information is often invaluable to both you and future generations.

Additional information on a historical letter will be found at the Smith & Wesson company website at: www.smith-wesson.com
 
jerosejr:

It would appear that you have either a Smith & Wesson model 30 or 31, made during 1971 or 72.

If it has a round butt it's a model 30 (.32 Hand Ejector) of if a square butt it's a model 31 (.32 Regulation Police.)

The 1 1/2" barrel seems unlikely. Measure from the front cylinder face to the muzzle, and see if it isn't 2 inches, +/- 1/16".
 
.32 S & W Long

I have an old S&W .32 L and would like to find out just how old it is and it's value. Here's what I've got:

Barrel length - 2"
Length of entire gun - 6"
Left side barrel - SMITH & WESSON
Right side barrel - 32 S. & W. LONG (does not have CTG. extension)
Right side - MADE IN U.S.A. MARCAS REGISTRADAS SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
6 Shot swing out cylinder
Double action
Wood handle with small diamond cut pattern. A larger diamond where the screw goes through the handle.
Serial #617XXX on handle, barrel and cylinder
There is no safety lock
Standard S&W trademark logo on left and on each side of grip

The gun is in extremely good/near mint condition.

Would appreciate any help you can give me.
 
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