S&W identification help.

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ellusionistbad

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Hi guys I recently was given an old .32 long S&W revolver and I was interested if anyone could give me any history and an idea of its value.

The number under the barrel is 40690 5 and it also has a B next to it. the dates on the barrell are feb 6 06 and sept 14 09 dec 29 14. Any other info I can provide that would be useful please let me know.
 
It'll be a 32 Hand Ejector of one type or another, but we'll need a bit more information to figure out which specific one; how long is the barrel, what is the shape of the grip, and what are the sights like?
 
Well I dont exactly know how to measure the barrell like where to start but it seems to be a 3'' incher the grips are wood with a diamond shape in the middle which has a screw in the middle. sights are a tricky thing to describe since im not exactly a gun enthusiast so if you could give me some examples maybe? Thank you very much.
 
CTG is just the abbreviation for Cartridge.
As in .32 S&W Long Cartridge.

The actual serial number should be stamped on the butt.

Barrel length is measured from the front face of the cylinder to the muzzle.

rc
 
The barrel should be measured from the front to the rear of the part that's threaded into the frame (not including the cyliinder which tips out of the frame), the grip will be either a "round-butt" or a "square-butt" type (see below), and the sights will either be adjustable, or simply a slot in the top of the frame.

6a00d83424400753ef011168650f9d970c-800wi.jpg
 
ah thanks for the info! it appears to be a 2.5 inch barrell then with non adjustable sights and a square butt frame
 
That narrows it down a bit, but we'd still need to know the serial number, including the letter prefix (C or K; in the form "C123456", but you can replace the last few numbers with Xs for privacy) to know which specific model and when it was built.
 
ellusionistbad:

Look at the front of the metal part of the handle. Is there a number (possibly with a letter prefix) stamped there? This would be the area below and behind the trigger guard while looking at the gun from the front toward the back.

Also, are the stocks made out of checkered walnut, and do they wrap around the bottom of the metal part? If so, is there a Pat. date stamped into the wood?

And are you measuring the barrel length from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle of the barrel?
 
Sounds like a .32 Regulation Police.
Manufactured from 1917 to 1942, serial range 260000 to around 536000, so the serial number is correct.
Square butt, fixed or adjustable sights, front sight on fixed sight version is usually a round blade (half moon),
6 shot, I frame, there should be a "Patent June 5 1917" stamp one the bottom of the left grip panel. Serial number is found on the front tang, barrel flat, cylinder face and front of yoke. Barrel lengths were 3.25, 4.25 & 6 inches.

The Regulation Police differed from the .32 Hand Ejector Third Model mainly in the grip, the Hand Ejector had the round butt. Heat treating of cylinders began around serial number 320,000 so OP's gun should be safe to shoot with modern ammunition.
 
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