S&W CTG .32 Short 3" Barrel
- Thread starter Biggmatt
- Start date
carguychris
New member
^^^ Is there an intertwined "S&W" trademark logo anywhere on the frame or sideplate?
The grips don't count; original S&W top-break grips will fit knockoffs and clones from other gunmakers.
The grips don't count; original S&W top-break grips will fit knockoffs and clones from other gunmakers.
That serial number was used at least twice on S&W .32's. The Double Action, 4th Model in 1883-1909, the serial number sequence was 43406 thru 282999.
The .32 Safety Hammerless, 3rd Model in 1909-1937 The serial number sequence was 170001 thru 242981. With out pictures or knowing what you have, that is the best I can do. Hope that helps.
The .32 Safety Hammerless, 3rd Model in 1909-1937 The serial number sequence was 170001 thru 242981. With out pictures or knowing what you have, that is the best I can do. Hope that helps.
It doesnt look to be in bad shape. Id leave it be.
If it times up OK, Id shoot it. I load black powder in mine, as its from that era (serial number is 148000 range). Ive seen differing opinions on using the smokeless loads in the older, black powder era guns, and figured Id give BP a try.
We found the gun in my dads drawer after he died, and have no idea where he came by it. It was in good shape, and I figured it might be a fun project to get it back on the road. Mine isnt marked for caliber, and that was an adventure in itself figuring it out, although it being a S&W made it a tad easier.
Unfortunately, I was looking for ammo back during the craziness, and only ever found two places that had 32 S&W. Both were pretty pricey, about $50 a box of 50, and they were smokeless loads. I reload, and found Midway had dies, brass and bullets, and that all cost me $75. I had BP, so I was set. Loading BP is a little different, but not hard.
I dont shoot it much, but it comes but it comes out a couple of times a year and is fun to shoot, even if POI is about 6" off of POA at 5 yards.
If it times up OK, Id shoot it. I load black powder in mine, as its from that era (serial number is 148000 range). Ive seen differing opinions on using the smokeless loads in the older, black powder era guns, and figured Id give BP a try.
We found the gun in my dads drawer after he died, and have no idea where he came by it. It was in good shape, and I figured it might be a fun project to get it back on the road. Mine isnt marked for caliber, and that was an adventure in itself figuring it out, although it being a S&W made it a tad easier.
Unfortunately, I was looking for ammo back during the craziness, and only ever found two places that had 32 S&W. Both were pretty pricey, about $50 a box of 50, and they were smokeless loads. I reload, and found Midway had dies, brass and bullets, and that all cost me $75. I had BP, so I was set. Loading BP is a little different, but not hard.
I dont shoot it much, but it comes but it comes out a couple of times a year and is fun to shoot, even if POI is about 6" off of POA at 5 yards.
Jim Watson
New member
Safety Hammerless 3rd Model, 73000 made 1907-1937.
Dollar value is not great but what there is would be hurt more than helped by a refinish. I'd get the rust off and be glad to have it.
OK with fresh smokeless ammo.
Dollar value is not great but what there is would be hurt more than helped by a refinish. I'd get the rust off and be glad to have it.
OK with fresh smokeless ammo.
To be very clear, in future discussions with people it may be helpful for you to understand that CTG is an abbreviation for "cartridge".
That barrel stamping is the caliber, not the model.
CTG has been stamped on many guns, not just Smith & Wesson, and as noted above S&W duplicated serial runs between some models.
When you look for ammunition, make sure it's .32 S&W as marked on your gun, and don't end up with .32 ACP, .32-20, and so on. They are not interchangeable.
Denis
That barrel stamping is the caliber, not the model.
CTG has been stamped on many guns, not just Smith & Wesson, and as noted above S&W duplicated serial runs between some models.
When you look for ammunition, make sure it's .32 S&W as marked on your gun, and don't end up with .32 ACP, .32-20, and so on. They are not interchangeable.
Denis
Jim Watson
New member
Yes, but if it says .32 S&W CTGE, then it is not a Smith & Wesson.
H&R or IJ, I don't remember which.
H&R or IJ, I don't remember which.
carguychris
New member
A quick word of warning: I've been told that S&W .32 Safety Hammerless revolvers have a tendency to break firing pins when dry-fired, and that replacement pins are very hard to find because (a) the guns are not valuable enough for anyone to be interested in offering reproductions commercially, and (b) most gun-show parts guns got that way because the firing pins broke.Jim Watson said:
IOW don't dry-fire it any more than absolutely necessary to verify function.
This is correct, and I'd like to add two more detailed warnings:DPris said:
- .32 S&W Long is not compatible with .32 S&W. As the name implies, it uses a longer case that will not physically fit in a S&W top-break cylinder.
- Graciously ignore anyone who advises you that .32 ACP / .32 Auto can be fired in this gun. It will usually fit in the cylinder, and people have successfully fired it, but it is a significantly higher-pressure cartridge than .32 S&W. Firing .32 ACP in virtually any vintage top-break is NOT SAFE, either to the firearm or the shooter.
ligonierbill
New member
Magtech makes a decent .32 S&W round with an 85 grain roundnose. It does fine out of my old breaktop H&R, and you can often find it on-line.