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Thread: !!!! Help !!!!

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master
    Ben's Avatar
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    !!!! Help !!!!

    My friend has a S & W .32 Long pistol. It is old enough that the model designation isn't written on it ( that I can see ).

    The owner before him ( 40 + yrs. ago ) decided to remove the hammer to facilitate removal from a pants pocket.

    Now the current owner wants it returned to factory spec. I've replaced hammers in S & W pistols before, so swapping out hammers for me isn't a problem. The problem for me is KNOWING exactly what model to order a hammer for and where & who to order it from.

    If you think you know the model designation of this pistol, please help me out on this one. I think it is a S&W .32 Hand Ejector (Post-War) "Pre Model 30", but I could be wrong. Assuming I'm right, where do I find a hammer assembly ?

    Photos below of the pistol :

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...g/PICT0009.jpg

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...g/PICT0008.jpg

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...g/PICT0006.jpg

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...g/PICT0004.jpg

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...g/PICT0002.jpg

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...g/PICT0005.jpg

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...g/PICT0003.jpg

  2. #2
    Moderator Emeritus fishhawk's Avatar
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    open the cylinder and the mod should be under the crane. havn't seen one yet that wasn't marked there

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master
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    When I do that , I see the number 5 and below that 4797

    I've never hear of a S & W model designation of either of those numbers. Somewhere I read that model designations weren't place in that area of the pistol prior to 1957. Maybe I'm wrong on that ?

    See photo below :

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...g/PICT0006.jpg

  4. #4
    Moderator Emeritus fishhawk's Avatar
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    32 double action 5th model that would be my guess

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Where do I get a hammer ?

    Ben

  6. #6
    Moderator Emeritus fishhawk's Avatar
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    numrich maybe or check with brownells they know a guy in SD that has a bunch of older smith parts

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master
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    OK , Will do.....Many thanks for your help.

    Ben

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Just went to the Gun Parts Corp " E - Site ", they don't list anything for a 32 double action 5th model.

    Maybe I can call Brownell's tomorrow ? ? ?

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

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    S&W "J" Frame????

    Just a suggestion.......take it to the next gun show (disassembled) and try some "J "frame hammers if you have a parts guy there
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  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Sounds like a good plan.

    Many thanks,

    Ben

  11. #11
    Boolit Master and Generous Donator
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    The older S&W's, up until well after WW II did not use the "Model / Mod" numbers. The number (4797) under the crane is an assembly and fitting number, the "5" MAY be the modification number. For internal use, S&W used designations like "NTM 44" for "N-Frame; Target sights; Magnum heat treat; .44 Caliber" for the original .44 Magnum, etc., etc.; but these were not marked on the guns themselves.

    floodgate

  12. #12
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ben View Post
    My friend has a S & W .32 Long pistol. It is old enough that the model designation isn't written on it ( that I can see ).

    If you think you know the model designation of this pistol, please help me out on this one. I think it is a S&W .32 Hand Ejector (Post-War) "Pre Model 30", but I could be wrong. Assuming I'm right, where do I find a hammer assembly ?
    Ben, I think your call is correct. I'm assuming that it is an "I" frame revolver, correct? The pre-war 32 hand ejectors ended with serial number in the 536,xxx range as I recall. The "I" frame being a touch smaller than the current "J" frames, I doubt parts will interchange. I don't know this though and I'm not about to try switchin' parts until I have to. I'm just kinda talkin' to myself here, but since the switch to numbered models occurred before the change to the "J" frame (1957 or so), and I believe they were stamping the model No. on the frame by then, your's must be an "I" frame .32 Hand Ejector (pre-Model 30). Hey, there's folks over at the Smith and Wesson forum that could tell you ever'thing I'm sure. It's not a 32 double action. They were top break revolvers. Regards, Woody
    Last edited by woody1; 03-30-2008 at 07:46 PM. Reason: added info
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  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ben View Post
    My friend has a S & W .32 Long pistol. It is old enough that the model designation isn't written on it ( that I can see ).

    Assuming I'm right, where do I find a hammer assembly ?

    Ben,

    Check here

    http://www.oldwestgunsmith.com/

    Dave and his son specialize in restoring old S&Ws.

    And they have parts.

    Good luck.
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  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Thanks I'll contact them tomorrow.

    Best,

    Ben

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy Shotgun Luckey's Avatar
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    you could take the hammer to a gunshow and match it up I would think.

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy exblaster's Avatar
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    Ben your pistol is a .32 Hand Eject series post war pre model 30 - 31 made about 1947. According to My copy of Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson. Hope that helps.


    Exblaster

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check