First time I've shed a tear for a firearm.

[Sxsnuf]

Lost my best friend in a car accident last October. Had his oldest boy, his wife and 2 little girls over for dinner tonight. The young man told me that he and his brother decided their Dad would want me to have his favorite handgun. When he presented it to me, I teared up. I don't know much about Smiffs, but needless to say, this one is priceless. Chambered in 32wcf. The boy said he thought it was a 1st model hand ejector. I'll do some research, try to find year of manufacture.

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[spookshack]

Priceless indeed. Sorry for your loss.

 

[NeoBlackdog]

What a great way to for that family to show how much you mean to them.

 

[Spitpatch]

Not to mention a .32-20 WCF saving you forever from any need or interest in the useless and ballistically inferior.32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal.

A beautiful treasure that no man with a heart could resist shedding a tear over.

 

[Lazyfaire]

I too am sorry for your loss, but this gift to you will always bring him back to mind. He would have wanted you to have this pistol for how much you meant to him. Keep his family close because they care about you.

I too lost a friend almost 20 years ago and still am reminded of him. But I always remember him for the fun times. I wish you the same good memories.

 

[Jay Walk]

Priceless for sure.

 

[orygun]

I shed a tear reading your post, @Sxsnuf . That is a wonderful thing for the family to do.
Such a nice gun with a sentimental attachment. Can't get much better than that!

Spitpatch might be on to something here.

 

[Bobbygun]

Sorry for your loss, but a great way to remember your friend. Kudos to his family as well for thinking of you.

BTW, ammo can be hard to find and expensive. If you are a reloader, Starline has brass available. I backordered some at the beginning of November and it arrived on Black Friday. It currently shows as "In Stock" on their website.

 

[thorborg]

Sorry for your loss, I'm at an age where I've lost most of my friends and relatives and it doesn't get any easier.
As far as your fine remembrance, 32-20 while not low cost are available many places like Midway. MFG's like Buffalo Bore, Remington, Winchester, HSM, Black Hills all have 32-20 since the cowboy shooting got popular.
I don't know if their for pistols, It's a more popular rifle caliber i think, Originally, the 32 WCF (32-20) was black powder so please check in to the pressure requirements for your pistol before loading it up.

 

[Salmonflytying]

Lost my best friend in a car accident last October. Had his oldest boy, his wife and 2 little girls over for dinner tonight. The young man told me that he and his brother decided their Dad would want me to have his favorite handgun. When he presented it to me, I teared up. I don't know much about Smiffs, but needless to say, this one is priceless. Chambered in 32wcf. The boy said he thought it was a 1st model hand ejector. I'll do some research, try to find year of manufacture.

View attachment 1995815

That's tough one but kuddos for keeping his family close.

 

[Sxsnuf]

Thanks to everybody for the heartfelt responses, really.
He was the best friend a guy could ask for. Apparently, he was a great dad too, judging by the way his boys turned out.
As for the revolver, I have found alot of contradictory info on the interwebs. It seems I might wind up requesting a letter from the S&W collectors for the best results.
It has the S&W badge on the right side plate, instead of under the cylinder latch, as I've normally seen. The chambering is stamped on the left side of the barrel (32 wcf ctg). The right side of the barrel has some rash but it doesn't appear there are any markings on it. The top of the barrel has patent markings all up and down the full 6" length. There are 4 screws on the side plate & 1 in the front of the trigger guard. I've read that feature has some meaning and might help date it. The 5 digit serial # is on the bottom of the grip frame. The case colors on the hammer and trigger are bright. It also has the brass S&W emblems recessed in the grip panels. If the grips are original, that might help with date of manuf, or so I've read.

Now that I've put all that info down, I should just move that last paragraph over to the handgun forum. Again, thanks for all the responses.

 

[64MercurysRule]

Let this kind rememberance gift give you fond memories that you can cherish of your friend . I swear the wife must be cutting up onions over my shoulder getting teary here . Thoughts & prayers . Blessings to you .

 

[Lazyfaire]

Thanks to everybody for the heartfelt responses, really.
He was the best friend a guy could ask for. Apparently, he was a great dad too, judging by the way his boys turned out.
As for the revolver, I have found alot of contradictory info on the interwebs. It seems I might wind up requesting a letter from the S&W collectors for the best results.
It has the S&W badge on the right side plate, instead of under the cylinder latch, as I've normally seen. The chambering is stamped on the left side of the barrel (32 wcf ctg). The right side of the barrel has some rash but it doesn't appear there are any markings on it. The top of the barrel has patent markings all up and down the full 6" length. There are 4 screws on the side plate & 1 in the front of the trigger guard. I've read that feature has some meaning and might help date it. The 5 digit serial # is on the bottom of the grip frame. The case colors on the hammer and trigger are bright. It also has the brass S&W emblems recessed in the grip panels. If the grips are original, that might help with date of manuf, or so I've read.

Now that I've put all that info down, I should just move that last paragraph over to the handgun forum. Again, thanks for all the responses.

Take lots of good (no feet) pictures as that will help S & W to do a better job of understanding what you have. Depending on how old the pistol is ask for a certificate from them.

 

[titsonritz]

Sorry for your loss. That's a beauty.

 

[Alexx1401]

Lost my best friend in a car accident last October. Had his oldest boy, his wife and 2 little girls over for dinner tonight. The young man told me that he and his brother decided their Dad would want me to have his favorite handgun. When he presented it to me, I teared up. I don't know much about Smiffs, but needless to say, this one is priceless. Chambered in 32wcf. The boy said he thought it was a 1st model hand ejector. I'll do some research, try to find year of manufacture.

View attachment 1995815

WOW! Sorry for the loss but that is a DAMN FINE looking wheel gun they gave you. At least now every time you handle and shoot it you will remember your buddy. Hopefully he is smiling down on you when you enjoy it.

 

[Sxsnuf]

Originally, the 32 WCF (32-20) was black powder so please check in to the pressure requirements for your pistol before loading it up.

Thank you. I've done alot reading in the last 24 hours. Had a hard time sleeping last night. It seems some of the early guns might not have heat treated cylinders. Don't know yet if mine falls into that category. Regardless, when I do purchase ammo for it, they'll be low pressure cowboy action loads.

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

Lost my best friend in a car accident last October. Had his oldest boy, his wife and 2 little girls over for dinner tonight. The young man told me that he and his brother decided their Dad would want me to have his favorite handgun. When he presented it to me, I teared up. I don't know much about Smiffs, but needless to say, this one is priceless. Chambered in 32wcf. The boy said he thought it was a 1st model hand ejector. I'll do some research, try to find year of manufacture.

View attachment 1995815

Damn that is sad. I can't say I wouldn't have reacted differently. That is very touching. I'm glad it went to a good home, but I'm sorry for your (and his family's) loss.

 

[Sxsnuf]

I should also mention that my wife too considered him to be her best friend. He knew she enjoyed Irish Cream liqueur and always carried a full bottle in his car, on the off chance he might swing by to visit us.
While the boys were cleaning out their dad's car at the impound yard, they found that bottle, and knew exactly why it was there. Last night, as they were leaving, the young man gave the bottle to my wife. As they drove away, it was a time of misty eyes, quivering lips and fond memories of our friend.

 

[Spitpatch]

If language is our Gift that allows us to share our detailed thoughts of love with others, our memory is what allows us to press on in the face of loss that might otherwise be impossible to survive.

And such memories are a brief glimpse through a curtain toward the Gift of everlasting life.