Cartridge type for S&W Model 1-1/2 First Issue?

[kent23]

Hello. I have searched and searched and cannot figure out what type of cartridge my antique Smith and Wesson Model 1-1/2, First Issue takes.

I know it is a .32 rimfire, but I get a wide variety of sub-categories.

.32 Short (rimfire)
.32 Long (rimfire)
.32 S&W (rimfire)

Do any of you know the exact cartridge name?

I have a partial box of .32 Short which seem to chamber properly but they also seem quite short for the length of the cylinder.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Willy Tincup]

Its probably designed to shoot both 32 shorts and longs. As long as the longs will chamber without protruding out the front of the cyl. and preventing it from turning. Pretty common setup.
My book lists about 3 variations of them. First issue had a plain cylinder and ammo was 32 rimfire. Second issue had a fluted cyl and ammo listed was 32 long. Later on a single action version listed 32 S&W as the ammo but that will be cf ammo and not 32 S&W rimfire [never heard of that ammo]

 

[kent23]

Thanks for the response. Perhaps you are right and the S&W Model 1-1/2 accepted both short and long?

I find it weird that there doesn't seem to be any info if 32 short or 32 long is acceptable for these guns? I wonder if there would be too much pressure if you reloaded using 32 long and filled the whole case with black powder.

".32 Smith & Wesson rimfire" is mentioned in a few blogs I have seen and even on Wikipedia for what it is worth.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_1_1/2#/media/File:32_Smith_and_Wesson_Rimfire.jpg

 

[Willy Tincup]

The pics of the 32 S&W ammo made in Brazil was much later than your gun was made. Navy Arms contracted a firm in Brazil to make a run of 32 rimfire back in the 60's or 70's..............too bad they hadn't shown atleast 1 pic of the head of the cartridge.