Smith & Wesson 32 long colt identity

[mpolk]

I would like some help identifying this revolver please. I was given this Colt chrome revolver in 32 long colt. The number on the crane is 53698. The number in front of the grip is 435556. Any help is appreciated.

 

[WestKentucky]

Looks a lot like a S&W Regulation Police with nickeled finish. If it’s actually chrome then it’s an aftermarket job done at a bumper plating facility, but it looks vintage so I suspect it to be factory nickel. Early gun, has the mushroom ejector rod and upper side plate screw. Nice enough gun but they don’t bring a premium unless they are immaculate. They are chambered for 32SW Long, and Colt did make guns with the same chamber and called it 32 Colt New Police and the only real difference was what bullet was used in making the ammo. What specifically would you like to know?

 

[mpolk]

First, which number is the serial number? Any idea of production dates? Thanks for the reply and help.

 

[BobWright]

Note that the .32 Long Colt and the .32 S&W Long are two different cartridges. I believe that gun would take the .32 Colt New Police round.

Bob Wright

 

[George P]

S&W serial number is on the bottom of the frame grip typically; although in your pic, is that it on the inside of the grip?

 

[mpolk]

It is on the inside of the grip

 

[mpolk]

The barrel says 32 Long OTG. It had a box of Western X 32 long colt with the gun. Six rounds were loaded in it when she gave it to me.

 

[George P]

Barrel looks like it says 32 Long Ctg, not Colt.
so it looks like it could be a .32 Hand Ejector Third Model since those serial numbers run from 263001-536684. Mfg date range 1917-1942
It is chambered for the 32SW long; i have one, great gun; mine is an I frame

 

[Oaktree45]

I don't think that's a Colt. That looks to be a Smith & Wesson 32 Hand Ejector model 1903, 2nd change.

Look on the bottom of the butt for the serial number.

 

[mpolk]

OK it is CTG. Thanks

 

[mpolk]

Glad I didn't try to shoot it with the ammo that was loaded in it, LOL

 

[WestKentucky]

It probably would have held for a few shots, but it was not designed for it. I have heard stories of people rechambering the J frame versions for 32h&r mag, and 32 long Colt is not as hot as 32H&R but I still wouldn’t try it.

 

[mpolk]

I won't try it. Probably just go in the collection. Thank for all the reply's. I don't get on here very often, mostly on the 1911 forum and Rimfire Central.

 

[.455_Hunter]

It probably would have held for a few shots

Really? Come on guys...

.32 Long Colt fired in .32 Smith & Wesson Long or .32 Colt New Police chamber is not something that will cause catastrophic issues. You will get low velocity from an undersized bullet rattling down the barrel, propelled from an undersized case that will bulge a bit or maybe split at the mouth. .32 Long Colt has generally LESS energy than the other two loadings.

Excessive drama alert for some of the lowest power center-fire ammo in existence.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I can make out from your photo that the grips cover the bottom of the grip frame.

That makes it a Smith and Wesson 32 Regulation Police, like this one:






Unlike most Smith and Wesson revolvers, the serial number is on the front face of the grip frame, because the bottom of the grip frame is hidden under the wooden grips.







The bottom of the grips should have a patent marking like this:






The metal grip frame on these is actually relatively short. This is how the grips were inletted to fit over the metal grip frame. This grip frame style was patented, hence the patent marking on the bottom of the grips.






This is how the grips look from the rear.






This revolver was chambered for both the 32 S&W Long cartridge and the 38 S&W cartridge. It is built on the S&W I frame, and the cylinder of an I frame revolver is not large enough for six 38 caliber chambers, so the 38s were five shooters. In this photo, a 38 Regulation Police is at the top, a 32 Regulation Police is at the bottom. Notice with the 32 the middle flute on the cylinder is lined up in the middle of the cylinder window in the frame. Notice how the middle flute is wider and off center in the 38, because it is a five shooter instead of a six shooter. Notice too, the 32 is marked 32 LONG CTG, which means 32 S&W Long Cartridge.






The 32 S&W Long cartridge is basically the same as the Colt 32 New Police cartridge. The Colt round has a flat nose and the bullet is 2 grains heavier. They have pretty much the same ballistics.






The 32 Regulation Police was made from 1917 until 1942. Serial numbers ran from about 260,000 to about 536,000.

I have two of them, 3712XX shipped in 1925 and 4083XX shipped in 1924. Not unusual since S&W often shipped out of serial number order.

Your 435556 probably shipped somewhere in that time frame.

 

[mpolk]

Great Information. Thank you. Looks just like that on, but nickel and not as clean, LOL

 

[George P]

Depending on which powder, loads can be as low as 2 grains and as high as just under 3, so 1# of powder will load thousands of rounds; easy to reload and fun to shoot