S&W 32 OTG what is this

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Howdy

32 Double Action, either a 4th, or 5th Model. This one is a 4th Model.

pn2rxaJyj.jpg




Tell me the serial number and I can tell you if it is a 4th, or 5th Model. 4th Model serial number range was 43,406 to about 282,999, manufactured between 1883 and 1909. 5th Model serial number range about 283,000 to 327,641 manufactured between 1909 and 1919.

I suspect your barrel has been cut down as standard barrel lengths for the 4th Model were 3", 3 1/2", 6", with 8" and 10" being quite rare. Standard barrel lengths for the 5th Model were 3", 3 1/2", and 6". Yours appears to be 2", which was not a standard barrel length.

Your hammer has been bobbed so it can only be fired double action.

Yes, CTG (not OTG) stands for cartridge. Many think it is a model name but it is not, it is simply a marking indicating the cartridge the revolver is chambered for, in this case the short 32 S&W cartridge.




This is what a 32 Safety Hammerless looks like. Notice the lack of a hammer, and the grip safety. There is a hammer, but it is internal. This one is a true Bicycle Revolver, it came from the factory with a 2" barrel.

pnK9DcgUj.jpg
 
Howdy

32 Double Action, either a 4th, or 5th Model. This one is a 4th Model.

View attachment 932667




Tell me the serial number and I can tell you if it is a 4th, or 5th Model. 4th Model serial number range was 43,406 to about 282,999, manufactured between 1883 and 1909. 5th Model serial number range about 283,000 to 327,641 manufactured between 1909 and 1919.

I suspect your barrel has been cut down as standard barrel lengths for the 4th Model were 3", 3 1/2", 6", with 8" and 10" being quite rare. Standard barrel lengths for the 5th Model were 3", 3 1/2", and 6". Yours appears to be 2", which was not a standard barrel length.

Your hammer has been bobbed so it can only be fired double action.

Yes, CTG (not OTG) stands for cartridge. Many think it is a model name but it is not, it is simply a marking indicating the cartridge the revolver is chambered for, in this case the short 32 S&W cartridge.




This is what a 32 Safety Hammerless looks like. Notice the lack of a hammer, and the grip safety. There is a hammer, but it is internal. This one is a true Bicycle Revolver, it came from the factory with a 2" barrel.

View attachment 932668
. Serial number:272960, looks like I need some 4th model parts
 
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. Serial number:272960, looks like I need some 4th model parts
Why? The gun is interesting as it is, and the condition (modified) makes it less desirable and swapping parts to make it back to original configuration will not add value to it, it will simply change the way it is modified. If you want a S&W 32 DA then they are not hard to find or expensive, so you would likely be better off in simply buying a different gun unless this particular gun is of significance to you (family heirloom, gift from close friend, etc). The 32sw is also fairly weak and in such a short barrel it would be far from optimal as a defensive gun, target gun, etc. It looks great, but realistically it’s one of the obsolete guns that is just neat to have. Parts were typically hand fitted so they may not fit even if you find the right part which is not easy in and of itself because internal parts changed with each model revision.
 
This one isn't that much newer than your break-open S&W, but this little .32 S&W Long is made with the newer S&W-style frames of the early 1900s and forward in history. Mine was made in 1916, and has the basic single and double-action pulls still in use today.

It has the smaller frame, called the "I" frame, but has an amazing modern S&W trigger and accuracy, though it is now over 100 years in age! It shoots well still too, and is so gentle and fun to plink with!!!

The other two in the same photo are, at the top, a 1950-made M&P model in .38 Special, built on the still current "K" frame. When S&W went to calling their models by numbers in the mid-'50s, this got called the Model 10.

On the left is an early '80s era Model 19, a "K" frame sized .357 Magnum.

All shot pretty danged well, with standing, unsupported 10 yard targets! All, as good as ever! Most always shoot into one ragged hole if I do my part, even though I'm now in my late 60's. If in mechanically fine condition, you can still enjoy your earlier one too. In any event, S&W has made fine revolvers for a very, very long time now. All the best, Tom

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@Driftwood Johnson , you do it again. Made me check the SN on my S&W .32 DA which I had marked down as a 4th Model. You confirmed it at 207XXX (1898?)

@EastBound&Down , I wouldn't do anything to change that one. I am sure that whoever did the modification did it many, many moons ago, trying to make it a better pocket pistol. As such, it reflects it times just as well as an unmolested version.
 
Have a 38 safety hammerless (lemon squeezer) soon as I get home and send the funds. She's a 4th, shipped August 1900-- In 38S&W, barrell trimmed to two inches sometime in her life. I expect to load down a bit for her, but think she can still do the job. :) stocks even match. :)

View attachment 936998

Very nice lemon squeezer you have there. Mine is actually mismatched between cylinder/ barrel and frame serial numbers. I’m often tempted to chop the barrel on this one as with a few of my other more rough condition guns, but I’m strongly disinclined to ruin more nice top strap markings.
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