Smith & wesson help

[chunk]

I just picked up a old smith, I think is quite old...here goes
its marked mod 32 on the crane.
airweight 38 spl ctg on right side of barrel
flat latch
c 44866x on butt
j frame ( I think) square butt w/ diamonds around grip screws
Pretty dang cool ..... How old is it ? whats it worth ?
thanks....

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hello... You will get better results if you post this in the "Sticky Thread" for ID of S&W revolvers at the top of this forum section.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=372213

Good luck finding the DOB...

 

[Jim NE]

I'm no expert, but I'm looking at the standard cat., and I only see the "c" prefix on K frames. The model 32 is a j frame...so I guess I'm stumped.

One of the real experts will be along shortly to give you a better answer.

Oh, the fact that it has a model # means it was made during or after '57.

Update: Standard cat. also says they were .38 S&W. Earlier production appears to be I frame and improved I frame.

 

[Radagast]

Model 32 = 5 shot .38 S&W .38/32 Terrier with a round butt steel I or J frame. They never had a serial range that high.

My guess is you have a mis-stamped Model 12. This was the .38 S&W Special KA frame - the frame is aluminum alloy and is slightly thinner than the steel K frame. 6 shot cylinder, square butt, C44866x serial number is correct for that model and dates it to 1960.

 

[chunk]

I looked @ the crane with a loupe, its a model 12, K/a (air weight) frame

 

[chunk]

Thank you radagast... you are correct.

 

[Iggy]

Here is a nickel version.

Be aware that the Model 12's prior to the 12-4 version need special grips.
The frame is just a wee bit narrower than all other K frames.
You can do some sanding etc., and make K frames fit if you have to.

12-4 and newer will take regular K frame grips.

 

[Jim NE]

I looked @ the crane with a loupe, its a model 12, K/a (air weight) frame

THERE ya go.

I'm not gonna make any age related comments, but as we all get older, magnifying glasses help when trying to read serial or model numbers.

 

[chunk]

The stamp must have been worn, to the naked eye the 1 looks like a 3... thanks for all the help... sweet little gun , I will keep.

 

[Radagast]

They go for a premium over the standard Model 10, the amount being dependent on how much the buyer wants one, but probably a hundred bucks - they are not that common.
There were cases of frame stretching using PlusP in the early aluminum J frames, I've no idea if the same happened with the KA frame. I would stick to standard pressure loads lead or Nyclad loads to prevent finding out.

 

[Jim NE]

Oh yes, Value. I think 12's are a little more common than the terriers, so they're not worth as much, but as stated above, not near as common as 10's. I saw one just about like the OP's at a big gun store a couple years ago, and they eventually went down to $299 on it. I kind of kick myself for not getting it, as I think they're going quickly for more than that now. My guess is $400-ish nowadays. 450 maybe.

I remember thinking at the time that the alloy frame wouldn't be as desirable due to durability, but I've not heard of many problems with them on that account. The very early ones are not to be shot if they have an alloy cylinder, but the OP's gun is much later than that.

Go to the Smith and Wesson forum for a more accurate idea of value. (But skew out all the old-timers' comments like "oh, I just paid 125 bucks for one of those.")

 

[SwampWolf]

I remember thinking at the time that the alloy frame wouldn't be as desirable due to durability, but I've not heard of many problems with them on that account.

It's fine to shoot standard .38 Special ammunition in the Model 12 but Smith & Wesson advised against using plus p ammunition in it.