I have a .32 cal. s&w 6 shot revolver(.32 long),i can't make out much of the writing on the barel due to flaking of nickle or chrome plate.The grips are mother of pearl and has a swing out cylander . i would like to know if anyone can tell me about this gun, value ,date,etc.
s&w .32long
- Thread starter sigma40ve
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deadin
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Can you at least post a picture? You've just described a gun that has been produced all over the world since about 1896.
Dean
Dean
Hammerdown
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.32 S&W Long revolver.
Hello
And Welcome to The High Road, as I see this is your first post. Your description is Vague, but it sounds like a .32 S&W Hand eject, and that is one of the Most common S&W revolver ever made. Unfortunately This model had MANY changes over the years, but it appears yours has the barrel marked so it is a later version, as the very first model did not have any barrel markings. Depending on Where the barrel is marked, and what it says will help in telling us what yours is as well, as the model changes had updates and stamping did change location over the long running series along with added on stampings which make it easier to distinguish just what series you have. l have one of .32 Hand Eject models and being that there were so many and so many variations, a lot More will need to be known about yours in determining what model and variation it is. The grips on yours do NOT sound like originals as most were either black hard rubber or some had an extension target style grip made of wood, that was also available in Black rubber.It is Possible that a S&W revolver in that series MAY have Pearl grip's but they are rarely seen, and most were supplied on engraved special Custom ordered revolvers.To start out with here, If you look on the butt of the gun's grip frame Bottom, you should be able to make out a serial number with the grips currently on it,Right where it is Flat. this will narrow it down to what model you have as I said There were several. Also look "under" the barrel with the cylinder open, where the Flat part is and it should have the serial number there, along with possibly the face of the cylinder, looking at it from the Loading end. As the previous poster said, without a clear picture or a definite serial number it is a hard revolver to identify as they were made from 1896-1991 in Many different variations. Another good point to determine just what you have is if you can tell us every location this revolver has stampings and what they are exactly, we can tell what it is a lot easier from all the changes they had through the years, if you are not able to share a serial number. Like High Road Member Dean said in his response, this model was the Most copied model of any S&W and often a person find's out their revolver is not even a S&W since the manufactures often Pirated many design features back then and we have seen many made in Spain that one would swear is an original S&W. This is one of the Hardest S&W revolvers to identify because many were made Before S&W had the Patent rights, and there are dozens of imitation copies floating out there.Best regards, Hammerdown
Hello
And Welcome to The High Road, as I see this is your first post. Your description is Vague, but it sounds like a .32 S&W Hand eject, and that is one of the Most common S&W revolver ever made. Unfortunately This model had MANY changes over the years, but it appears yours has the barrel marked so it is a later version, as the very first model did not have any barrel markings. Depending on Where the barrel is marked, and what it says will help in telling us what yours is as well, as the model changes had updates and stamping did change location over the long running series along with added on stampings which make it easier to distinguish just what series you have. l have one of .32 Hand Eject models and being that there were so many and so many variations, a lot More will need to be known about yours in determining what model and variation it is. The grips on yours do NOT sound like originals as most were either black hard rubber or some had an extension target style grip made of wood, that was also available in Black rubber.It is Possible that a S&W revolver in that series MAY have Pearl grip's but they are rarely seen, and most were supplied on engraved special Custom ordered revolvers.To start out with here, If you look on the butt of the gun's grip frame Bottom, you should be able to make out a serial number with the grips currently on it,Right where it is Flat. this will narrow it down to what model you have as I said There were several. Also look "under" the barrel with the cylinder open, where the Flat part is and it should have the serial number there, along with possibly the face of the cylinder, looking at it from the Loading end. As the previous poster said, without a clear picture or a definite serial number it is a hard revolver to identify as they were made from 1896-1991 in Many different variations. Another good point to determine just what you have is if you can tell us every location this revolver has stampings and what they are exactly, we can tell what it is a lot easier from all the changes they had through the years, if you are not able to share a serial number. Like High Road Member Dean said in his response, this model was the Most copied model of any S&W and often a person find's out their revolver is not even a S&W since the manufactures often Pirated many design features back then and we have seen many made in Spain that one would swear is an original S&W. This is one of the Hardest S&W revolvers to identify because many were made Before S&W had the Patent rights, and there are dozens of imitation copies floating out there.Best regards, Hammerdown
markings on s&w .32 long
ok, the serial# on the bottom of grip is 334459, on the left side of the barrel are the words SMITH & WESSON,on the right side it says 32 LONG OTG,on the top of the barrel it has SMITH&WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. USA PATENTED FEB 6 06. It also has a Sept and dec date,but I can't make out the numbers. Thank you for your previous info,and any other info you may be able to give me. I am unable to give a photot at this time due to camera troubles, thanks again,Tom Walsh
ok, the serial# on the bottom of grip is 334459, on the left side of the barrel are the words SMITH & WESSON,on the right side it says 32 LONG OTG,on the top of the barrel it has SMITH&WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. USA PATENTED FEB 6 06. It also has a Sept and dec date,but I can't make out the numbers. Thank you for your previous info,and any other info you may be able to give me. I am unable to give a photot at this time due to camera troubles, thanks again,Tom Walsh
Hammerdown
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The .32 S&W Hand Eject
Hello
From the serial number you provided, it shows your revolver to be a Third edition. This Third edition model was made between 1911-1942. It more than likely has the NON heat treated cylinder that was introduced in the Forth model series of these. It should be safe to fire standard velocity ammo, but I would shy away from any High velocity in a revolver of this age. I also would have it looked at Prior to firing it, by a Good Gun smith to have him evaluate it and see what he feels about shooting it with modern ammo. As far as Value goes, in a revolver of this model, to bring high resale it is dependent on over all condition. The .32 Long caliber revolver's are much less sought after by popular demand as the cartridge is milder than the .38 special or the Larger .32-20 round. Typical selling price for these in my area, in Top condition would be around the $200.00-TO $325.00 for a mint example. This being said, If I were you, I would have it checked and if deemed safe to shoot, have a ball with it. They are very accurate in this caliber, with mild report and soft recoil. I hope this helps, Hammerdown.
Hello
From the serial number you provided, it shows your revolver to be a Third edition. This Third edition model was made between 1911-1942. It more than likely has the NON heat treated cylinder that was introduced in the Forth model series of these. It should be safe to fire standard velocity ammo, but I would shy away from any High velocity in a revolver of this age. I also would have it looked at Prior to firing it, by a Good Gun smith to have him evaluate it and see what he feels about shooting it with modern ammo. As far as Value goes, in a revolver of this model, to bring high resale it is dependent on over all condition. The .32 Long caliber revolver's are much less sought after by popular demand as the cartridge is milder than the .38 special or the Larger .32-20 round. Typical selling price for these in my area, in Top condition would be around the $200.00-TO $325.00 for a mint example. This being said, If I were you, I would have it checked and if deemed safe to shoot, have a ball with it. They are very accurate in this caliber, with mild report and soft recoil. I hope this helps, Hammerdown.
BluesBear
member
Hmmmm,
Didn't I just read where sigma40ve posted the patent dates rollmarked on the barrel?
Have you ever seen a vintage S&W revolver without patent dates?
Hell's Bells™ Colt couldn't even produce a revolver with a breech loading bored through cylinder until S&W's patents EXPIRED.
I don't believe that S&W has ever released a revolver that wasn't already patented and usually had further patents pending.
And as for as the European and South American counterfeits and copies, they cared diddly squat about patents. They were just looking for the quick buck.They just copied until they were forced (if ever) to cease and desist.
And many of them were made AFTER S&W's patents expired not before they were granted.
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