Old S&W pistol looking for info

[TripleGGG]

My brother ran across this pistol tonight. Just trying to get some info. S&W is just on the cylinder.

[Bassoneer]

Nothing on the barrel? What about if you open the cylinder...anything show up in there? Is there something on top of the top strap? Third photo looks like something is going on. Is that the cylinder release?

[TripleGGG]

Nothing on barrel. Nothing on the top strap. Funny thing is that is not the cylinder release in the 3rd photo. Cannot figure out what is going on with that. Cylinder releases with pin. Only info is on the cylinder and the serial number on the butt. Edited March 15, 2016 by ggwilde

[Jonnin]

38 s&W?  Or 32 or something?

 

This is the closest match I found:

 

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/13708259

 

the grips smack of the 30's, roughly. 

 

Other near matches (visually) are something called an I frame.

Edited March 15, 2016 by Jonnin

[TripleGGG]

38 s&W? Or 32 or something?

Thinking a 32 or 38 but will have to MIC it to be sure.

[TripleGGG]

38 s&W? Or 32 or something?

This is the closest match I found:

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/13708259

the grips smack of the 30's, roughly.

Other near matches (visually) are something called an I frame.

Thanks for the info.

[Jonnin]

Thinking a 32 or 38 but will have to MIC it to be sure.

 

try a 9mm.  It will fit in there if its a 38 S&W.  It wont in a 32.   That short cylinder... its probably one of those 2.

[seez52]

Looks like it's a 32 long, first model with a swing out cyl.

 

http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-early-birthday-to-me.html

[graycrait]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/

[Garufa]

It does look like a .32 Hand Ejector 1st Model (Model 1896).  Caliber .32 S&W Long.

Edited March 15, 2016 by Garufa

[Jonnin]

cool, that matches the auction I linked too,  which says it was only made from '96 to 03.    I didn't realize they made that kind of grip that long ago.

[gregintenn]

There should be some markings such as Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass, and various patent dates marked on the cylinder. I believe I can see something there in the pcis.

 

 

 

http://gunsoftheoldwest.com/2013/02/sws-32-hand-ejector/

Edited March 15, 2016 by gregintenn

[TripleGGG]

There should be some markings such as Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass, and various patent dates marked on the cylinder. I believe I can see something there in the pcis.



http://gunsoftheoldwest.com/2013/02/sws-32-hand-ejector/

That's the only area that has markings. He's going to send me better pictures tonight of the cylinder. Thx

[MP5_Rizzo]

1896 Hand ejector.  Larry Potterfield to the rescue.

 

https://youtu.be/ER8tQfRn7pQ

Edited March 15, 2016 by MP5_Rizzo

[joebreeding.jb]

I think 38 special

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

[Grayfox54]

I don't know what it is, but it ain't a Smith & Wesson. 

Quite possibly one of the many Spanish copies of S&Ws made in the early 20th century. They were intentionally made to look almost like a real S&W to fool unsuspecting buyers. S&W ended up suing the makers of these guns and won. 

I would need a clear, close up pic of the grip emblem and cylinder markings to make a better guess. 

Quality of these guns was dubious at best.

[gregintenn]

I don't know what it is, but it ain't a Smith & Wesson. 

Quite possibly one of the many Spanish copies of S&Ws made in the early 20th century. They were intentionally made to look almost like a real S&W to fool unsuspecting buyers. S&W ended up suing the makers of these guns and won. 

I would need a clear, close up pic of the grip emblem and cylinder markings to make a better guess. 

Quality of these guns was dubious at best.

What makes you think it isn't an 1896 S&W? I believe it is.

[TripleGGG]

What makes you think it isn't an 1896 S&W? I believe it is.

It is a 1896 S&W. Had a S&W specialty guy look at it and it was made in last 3 months of 1899 or first 3 of 1900. All markings verified and certified. It is also now resting nicely in my safe.

[Grayfox54]

Well I won't say I'm above being wrong. Lord knows that I make a habit of it.  :foot:

There's just several things that didn't look quite right to me. Most notably the ejector rod, but also the hammer, front sight and the grip logo. There aren't any pics of the right side. Is there a S&W logo on it? You said the only markings were on the cylinder. 

With only a few pics to go by, I made my best guess. 

If your guy says its a S&W, that's good enough. The first thing you learn about S&W is that anything is possible. 

My apologizes and enjoy it. 

[Jonnin]

I don't know about those grips either.   But the thing is ~120 years old ... who knows what could have happened in that time, its not uncommon to replace a few parts along the way.   The hammer and sights match the auction pic.  The ejector is a little different I don't know anything about this model and variations. The logo wouldn't be in these pics, its other side of the frame ...  should be a trace of it unless they didn't stamp the layman's models or something?  No idea.

 

It looks to be in great shape & is quite a nice find, congrats!

[TripleGGG]

Thanks. The grips are not original. The pictures posted do not show well at all. S&W guy pointed out several things I would have missed. But since I wasn't born until 65 years after gun was made I can probably live with myself having not known those details. Lol. Now off to get details on a Colt made in 1932 that I picked up at the same time as the Smith. Sometimes a gamble pays off. Good day.

[Garufa]

How are the grips not original? What else did your guy point out? I do question the ejector rod but the Standard Catalog notes that two styles were used.

[gregintenn]

Well I won't say I'm above being wrong. Lord knows that I make a habit of it.  :foot:

There's just several things that didn't look quite right to me. Most notably the ejector rod, but also the hammer, front sight and the grip logo. There aren't any pics of the right side. Is there a S&W logo on it? You said the only markings were on the cylinder. 

With only a few pics to go by, I made my best guess. 

If your guy says its a S&W, that's good enough. The first thing you learn about S&W is that anything is possible. 

My apologizes and enjoy it. 

The side emblem didn't come along until a bit later. I'm not sure about the grips. THis is a bit of a different animal than the later hand ejector models we're used to seeing.

[TripleGGG]

How are the grips not original? What else did your guy point out? I do question the ejector rod but the Standard Catalog notes that two styles were used.

That should have said the grips ARE original. Me or auto correct messed that up. Also he said the side emblem came a little later. I didn't know that. Ejector rod was different at that time also. I love learning the history of these old guns.

[ma6907]

DId you for sure decide on a specific round?  I have seen some older weapons that shoot some VERY specific ammo that may or may not be the calibers and loads available today.