S&W .32 Long kit gun - The Firearms Forum

jmace57 · 07-04-2012, 01:05 PM

I just bought this S&W kitgun at an online auction. The serial number is 255488xx

I bought this based on the pictures I am sending. Loooking at the grips, it would appear to be an older model. Any idea of the value or date of manufacture? Thanks. (I am wanting to check and see if I can use my C&R license) Jim

RJay · 07-04-2012, 01:08 PM

Serial number would help date it.

jmace57 · 07-04-2012, 01:26 PM

At this point, all I have is the partial shown in the original message. Thanks

deadin · 07-04-2012, 01:28 PM

I believe that only .22's are called "Kitguns". The one shown is a .32 Hand Ejector of some ilk. (Need the serial to determine which "ilk")

RJay · 07-04-2012, 02:26 PM

If it has a eight digit serial number, it doesn't exist

, if the serial number is fact is six digits and 255488, then it is a ,32 hand ejector, pre model 30/31, 1910-1914, 5Th change. The Kit gun is a .22 in a .32 frame, First made as a " Custom" gun in 1811 { Bekeart Model } , later introduced in 1915 as the 22/32. The complete history of the 22/32 is rather long and complex and is more than I wish to type

Alpo · 07-04-2012, 04:21 PM

Look at the acorn on the end of the ejector rod. That gun is pre-WW2. Don't know when, exactly, but pre-WW2.

Last time I looked, WW2 was 70 years ago. Should be C&R.

Alpo · 07-04-2012, 04:24 PM

Deadin is right - Kit guns are 22, and have adjustable sights.

Also, that appears to have been refinished. First I thought it was just crappy pix, but based on the reflections off the grips, if the gun was shiny it would be reflecting too. Which means the gun is flat. Smith didn't make flat guns back then. They were all shiny.

Lanrezac · 07-04-2012, 04:45 PM

No, it's not a 32 Kit Gun. S&W made a J-frame 4-inch 32 Magnum revolver with adjustable sights in the 1980's or 1990's that they may have called a 32 Kit Gun, but I only ever saw them in stainless steel. (They may have made a .357 Magnum version at some point too.) That just an I-frame 32 Hand Ejector of some vintage. I hope you didn't pay extra because they called it a kit gun.

The finish may be original. I once had a very nice 32 Hand Ejector, and its finish was very black compared to a Colt of the same vintage. Just my $.02, though.

PS - I don't mean to denigrate your gun, jmace57. Any S&W is a good gun, and 32 Long is a very pleasant cartridge to shoot. BTW, you will find that most modern J-frame grips will fit your gun.

jmace57 · 07-04-2012, 05:24 PM

thanks for the input gents. Kitgun or not, refinished or not, I m happy with the purchase - I have been wanting another .32 long pistol. Didn't pay too much for it. If I can get some better pictures later, I will attach them later. Thanks again for your expertise.

Edit: Indeed looks exactly like .32 Hand Ejector model of 1903 to me.

wonderwhippet · 07-05-2012, 09:18 AM

Do you have a source of ammunition for this pistol? The only .32 ammo I see these days are old and collectble, and sell for outlandish prices. I have one of these pistols in original nickel finish, tight action and mint bore. I would like to shoot it, but I can't find any affordable ammo for it.

Alpo · 07-05-2012, 10:39 AM

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=938944&e=Y
30 bucks a box

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=761805&e=Y
also 30 bucks

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=289669&e=Y
20 bucks

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=344606&e=Y
13 bucks, but it's only 20 rounds

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=148319&e=Y
20 bucks

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=954660&e=Y
15 bucks

That's all from just one seller. Lots of ammo sellers out there.

jmace57 · 07-12-2012, 08:10 PM

I received this gun today and am very pleased Indeed it has been refinished, but in very nice shape. Serial number is as shown above, but without the extra XX. Action is nery nice.

Lanrezac · 07-13-2012, 12:10 AM

These old Smiths were very well made guns. Put a good pair of grips on it and you ought to find it very pleasant to shoot!

wonderwhippet · 07-13-2012, 01:26 PM

OK, nice to know I can get reasonably priced ammo. Will put my little .32 to good use!

07-04-2012, 01:05 PM	#1
jmace57 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 119	S&W .32 Long kit gun I just bought this S&W kitgun at an online auction. The serial number is 255488xx I bought this based on the pictures I am sending. Loooking at the grips, it would appear to be an older model. Any idea of the value or date of manufacture? Thanks. (I am wanting to check and see if I can use my C&R license) Jim -->

07-04-2012, 01:08 PM	#2
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,485	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun Serial number would help date it. __________________ RonJames

07-04-2012, 01:26 PM	#3
jmace57 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 119	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun At this point, all I have is the partial shown in the original message. Thanks

07-04-2012, 01:28 PM	#4
deadin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 858	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun I believe that only .22's are called "Kitguns". The one shown is a .32 Hand Ejector of some ilk. (Need the serial to determine which "ilk")

07-04-2012, 02:26 PM	#5
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,485	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun If it has a eight digit serial number, it doesn't exist, if the serial number is fact is six digits and 255488, then it is a ,32 hand ejector, pre model 30/31, 1910-1914, 5Th change. The Kit gun is a .22 in a .32 frame, First made as a " Custom" gun in 1811 { Bekeart Model } , later introduced in 1915 as the 22/32. The complete history of the 22/32 is rather long and complex and is more than I wish to type __________________ RonJames

07-04-2012, 04:21 PM	#6
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,649	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun Look at the acorn on the end of the ejector rod. That gun is pre-WW2. Don't know when, exactly, but pre-WW2. Last time I looked, WW2 was 70 years ago. Should be C&R. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-04-2012, 04:24 PM	#7
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,649	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun Deadin is right - Kit guns are 22, and have adjustable sights. Also, that appears to have been refinished. First I thought it was just crappy pix, but based on the reflections off the grips, if the gun was shiny it would be reflecting too. Which means the gun is flat. Smith didn't make flat guns back then. They were all shiny. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-04-2012, 04:45 PM	#8
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 685	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun No, it's not a 32 Kit Gun. S&W made a J-frame 4-inch 32 Magnum revolver with adjustable sights in the 1980's or 1990's that they may have called a 32 Kit Gun, but I only ever saw them in stainless steel. (They may have made a .357 Magnum version at some point too.) That just an I-frame 32 Hand Ejector of some vintage. I hope you didn't pay extra because they called it a kit gun. The finish may be original. I once had a very nice 32 Hand Ejector, and its finish was very black compared to a Colt of the same vintage. Just my $.02, though. PS - I don't mean to denigrate your gun, jmace57. Any S&W is a good gun, and 32 Long is a very pleasant cartridge to shoot. BTW, you will find that most modern J-frame grips will fit your gun. Last edited by Lanrezac; 07-04-2012 at 04:49 PM..

07-04-2012, 05:24 PM	#9
jmace57 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 119	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun thanks for the input gents. Kitgun or not, refinished or not, I m happy with the purchase - I have been wanting another .32 long pistol. Didn't pay too much for it. If I can get some better pictures later, I will attach them later. Thanks again for your expertise. Edit: Indeed looks exactly like .32 Hand Ejector model of 1903 to me. Last edited by jmace57; 07-07-2012 at 08:14 AM..

07-05-2012, 09:18 AM	#10
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,583	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun Do you have a source of ammunition for this pistol? The only .32 ammo I see these days are old and collectble, and sell for outlandish prices. I have one of these pistols in original nickel finish, tight action and mint bore. I would like to shoot it, but I can't find any affordable ammo for it.

07-05-2012, 10:39 AM	#11
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,649	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=938944&e=Y 30 bucks a box http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=761805&e=Y also 30 bucks http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=289669&e=Y 20 bucks http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=344606&e=Y 13 bucks, but it's only 20 rounds http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=148319&e=Y 20 bucks http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...x?a=954660&e=Y 15 bucks That's all from just one seller. Lots of ammo sellers out there. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-12-2012, 08:10 PM	#12
jmace57 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 119	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun I received this gun today and am very pleased Indeed it has been refinished, but in very nice shape. Serial number is as shown above, but without the extra XX. Action is nery nice.

07-13-2012, 12:10 AM	#13
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 685	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun These old Smiths were very well made guns. Put a good pair of grips on it and you ought to find it very pleasant to shoot!

07-13-2012, 01:26 PM	#14
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,583	Re: S&W .32 Long kit gun OK, nice to know I can get reasonably priced ammo. Will put my little .32 to good use!