PDA

View Full Version : My Obsession over the .32 caliber round and Finding Old Harry


Hammerdown
11-13-2008, 12:32 AM
Hi

Here is a real neat Treasure I found at a Local Gun show.This revolver is called a Regulation Police model and it too is in .32 S&W Long Caliber. It shipped in 1925 to Harry Anderson Chief of Police of the Evansville, Indiana Police Department. It was a Gift from his Political Friends after he won the Position of Chief of Police. I Picked it up at a local Gun show for $210.00 out the door. The seller had it for over 35 Years but was not Into it any more, so he was Pleased to hear someone wanted it that would take care of it and look into it's History past. It has an Odd 3-1/4" Barrel on it and is also chambered in .32 S&W Long caliber, and came to me with the Mother of pearl grips shown on it along with the frame adapter which is made of machined aluminum. After I got it home I contacted the Evansville, Indiana Police Department and asked for any Info. they could supply me on the Past Police Chief Harry Anderson. Below is a copy & paste version of Harry's Biography which surprised me as to how well detailed it was. Evidently from what I read He was in charge of an Experimental Motorcycle brigade that included 19 other Motorcycle riding Cops to answer calls in Metro Evansville, Indiana. Before that they answered calls on Bicycles...The desk Sergeant was nice enough to answwer all my questions about Old Harry and he also sent along the Official Uniform patch and Tie Tack of The Evansville, Indiana Police Department. To me , this revolver was a steal with a very colorful History past.



Here is the historical information on Harry Anderson with the Evansville Police Department. He served as Chief from 1926 to 1928.

If I can be of any other assistance, please let me know.

Sgt.Richard Hubbard

In March 1926, Chief Nolte was hospitalized with a nervous breakdown and voluntarily took a demotion to detective, stepping down as chief in favor of Harry Anderson on March 29, 1926. Nolte continued as a member of the department until his retirement in 1931. Nolte died in 1933. Nolte's 3-month term as chief was the shortest in the history of the police department.

Harry Anderson


Harry Anderson, the 23rd chief of police, was born in Warrick County. He became active in the Republican Party. He joined the department on November 24, 1916. Prior to joining the department, Anderson worked as a bartender. He was promoted to motorcycleman on January 7, 1918. Anderson was a member of the Evansville Police Relief Association committee that published the book "A Souvenir History of the Evansville Police Department" in 1918.


In 1919, Anderson resigned and became a car salesman. In January 1921, County Clerk Frank Grange appointed Anderson a deputy in the county clerk's office. When the Republicans took control of city hall in January 1926 Mayor Herbert Males appointed William Nolte as his choice to replace Democrat-appointed Ira Wiltshire in the chief's position. After 3 months in the chief's office, Nolte suffered a nervous breakdown and took a voluntary demotion to detective. Anderson returned to the police department after an absence of 7 years as Mayor Males's choice to replace Nolte in the chief's position.


Anderson remained Chief of Police for 33 months. The City Council launched impeachment proceedings against Chief Anderson, License Inspector Benjamin Bartlett, and members of the Board of Public Safety in September 1928. In the 1928 county elections, he was elected county clerk. In late December 1928, Anderson submitted his resignation as Chief. The text of Chief Anderson's letter of resignation read as follows:


"Honorable Herbert Males and Board of Safety. Having been elected Clerk of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court the past election and as this term of office begins January first, I hereby tender my resignation as superintendent of the police department to take effect January 1, 1929."


Chief of Detectives Edward Sutheimer was appointed to fill the chief's position for the remaining year of Mayor Males' administration




When Anderson resigned, he had served a total of 6 years as a member of the police department. The department's 8-year experiment with a mounted patrol began in 1927 during Chief Anderson's administration and the revolver you have in your Possesion according to it's serial number and our Records show's to be the side Arm Harry Carried in a Flap Holster strong side while riding his Motorcycle. Anderson ran for county clerk again in the election of 1932. The Roosevelt-Democratic landslide of 1932 buried Anderson, like his fellow Republicans. After losing the election, he returned to the trade that he had practiced before joining the police department in 1916, working as a bartender. In 1935, Anderson became a milkman. Later in life, he bought a dairy farm in Warrick County. After failing to make that enterprise profitable, he sold it. Anderson then moved back to Evansville, living at 209 First Avenue. He was appointed a Vanderburgh County deputy sheriff. He served as a guard at the Evansville Waterworks during World War II. In 1945 he moved to 26 East Chandler. He died on December 12, 1946. His wife's name was Bertha and he had one brother whom lived in California.



I learned from this Harry Had a brother in California and I assume the Son of his Brother is who got a hold of his Police revolver and later sold it off to the guy I bought it from.I Dug a Little deeper by contacting The Evnasville, Indiana Public Library, and a woman there sent me the Pictures of Harry below and his Obituary that she tracked down in the old files they had. I have hit a brick wall as far as learning any more about Harry Anderson since then, but hope to hear more in the future from the woman in the Public Library who is still searching for information on him.Below is a Picture of Harry when he was first made Chief of The Evansville, Indiana Police force. He was also in charge of their Motorcycle brigade an experiment they were trying using Motorcycles to answer calls with, as before this, all calls were answered on Bicycles. We have to remember this was around 1926 so I assume the Motorcycles used were either Harley Davidson's or Indian's.The Police department is also shown in the Pictures below and you can see Horses were still used in that time frame. I can't believe just how much harry had done in such a short life span as at the age of 55 Poor Old Harry's Heart gave out and he Passed on, But His Side Arm Lives on, Along with the History Path it took ther after..His Original obituary below seem's to Reflect all the Accurate Information Sergeant Hubbard shared with me. Old Harry sure led a Busy Life for his 55 Years.. Hammerdown












http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/Chief_Harry_AndersonMA19859342-0001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/PICT0004b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/PICT0016b-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/PICT0009-1.jpg




Hello
While Sufing the Web Yesterday, I came across some more information on Harry Anderson. Below is what I found. It is neat finding any more on this guy who Obviously led a very intense short Life... Hammerdown





HARRY R. ANDERSON, clerk of the Vanderburg Circuit Court of Vanderburg County, has been firmly established in public confidence, and esteem at Evansville for a number of years, first, as a business man and then as a public official.

Mr. Anderson was born in Pike County, Indiana, October 9, 1892, son of John L. and Louise (Sprinkles) Anderson. His parents were born in Warrick, Indiana, and his father died in 1906 at Evansville and his mother in 1894. Harry R. Anderson spent his active life as a farmer. There were two children besides Harry R. Clarence, born in 1888, a farmer in Warrick County, married Ethel Lawrence, who was born in that county, daughter of Peter Lawrence, a farmer. Eugene Anderson, who died at the age of thirty-one, was acigar maker, and by his marriage to Olivio Cummings left three children, Charles; born in 1909, Mary, born in 1912, and Lena, born in 1911.

Harry R. Anderson attended the grade and high schools at Evansville, and graduated from business college in 1910. After a year of work as clerk in the sales department of the Hercules Buggy Company he went west on account of failing health, spent a year in recuperating,and on returning he was an employee of the Adams Express Company and filled several other positions, as bookkeeper, salesman, with Evansville business organizations. Mr. Anderson has some farming interests in Warrick County, growing cattle and hogs, and also has real estate in Evansville.

In 1914 he joined the Evansville police department as a patrolman and later was promoted to motorcycle officer. He resigned in 1918 to join the colors and was with Headquarters Company in the field artillery at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, until discharged in 1919. For two years after the war Mr. Anderson sold automobiles at Evansville. In 1921 he went to the courthouse as deputy county clerk and served in that position five years, an experience that gave him a thorough knowledge of the routine of the county clerk's office. In March, 1926, came his appointment as chief of police of Evansville, and he was the police chief of the city until January 1, 1929, when he entered upon his duties as clerk of the Vanderburg Circuit Court following his election in November, 1928.

He married, at Evansville, August 11, 1918, Miss Bertha Ambrose, daughter of Julius Ambrose, a grocery merchant. Mr. Anderson is a Republican in politics and a member of the B. P. O. Elks.

Max
11-13-2008, 12:46 AM
Orionkd was correct, he told me you were a wealth of knowledge and experience with the smiths, great post and thanks for sharing this with us.

Hammerdown
11-13-2008, 01:31 AM
Orionkd was correct, he told me you were a wealth of knowledge and experience with the smiths, great post and thanks for sharing this with us.


Hello Max
You are very welcome and the .32 S&W Long caliber is one of my Pet peaves. Below is my Winter carry gun a Pre-30 S&W-J-Frame that shipped in 1958 which was a Toilet and I sent it to Ford's refinishing in Florida for a refinish if High Polished chrome. About three weeks ahgo I came across the one below it and it is another Pre-30 Nightstand gun in original condition that shipped in 1955 and both are wearing their original Factory grips serialed to the guns they are on..Hammerdown









http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/30-12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/30-13-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/Pre-302.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/SWPre-303.jpg

Oriondk
11-13-2008, 03:09 AM
I've never seen that top gun before. That's a heck of a story and some beautiful guns. Thanks, Kurt. I don't think I've ever asked you before, but what is it about the .32 Long that you like? I seem to remember my Grandfather having a .32 revolver as well as a single shot rolling block in that caliber. Have no idea what brands they were, though. Memories of that old rifle have been fueling my desire for a Ruger No.1 lately.:D

Hammerdown
11-13-2008, 10:43 AM
I've never seen that top gun before. That's a heck of a story and some beautiful guns. Thanks, Kurt. I don't think I've ever asked you before, but what is it about the .32 Long that you like? I seem to remember my Grandfather having a .32 revolver as well as a single shot rolling block in that caliber. Have no idea what brands they were, though. Memories of that old rifle have been fueling my desire for a Ruger No.1 lately.:D


Hello Dave
The .32 S&W Long is well know to be a super accurate caliber. The early Police agencies carried the round in their Police revolvers Hance the S&W Regulation Police model see my Post in The Pre-War section about Old Harry Andersons revolver I came upon.The report is gentle and Muzzle blast is no existent allowing faster follow up shots. I have expanded much on the round in this K-Frame sized gun as it can take the pressures and now call my handload the .32 S&W Long magnum traveling an average speed of 1100 F.P.S, faster than a .38 special and super accurate. Here is some more current pictures of my Pre-16 cleaned up and waxed ready for range duty..H.D.





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/Pre-16Withtargets.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/Pre-16Targets.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/K-32TargetUnique4.jpg

Oriondk
11-13-2008, 02:42 PM
Yep, that should do the job all right.:thumb:

Hammerdown
11-13-2008, 11:01 PM
Yep, that should do the job all right.:thumb:

Hello Dave
The above Target was shot with one of my Handloads consisting of 3.8 Grains of Unique Powder under a 98 Grain lead Bullet. I then got some Rainer Flat Pointed copper plated lead bullets weighing 100 Grains and found that the most accurate load was using 3.6 Grains of Unique shown below.. I am now Playing with the crimp attempting to shrink the group size even more. I won't be happy until I get One Ragged Hole results..Regards, Hammerdown






http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/K-32TargetUsingRanierBulletsand3.jpg

StrawHat
11-17-2008, 01:10 PM
Kurt,

Nice revolvers as always.

The horizontal spread in that last group might not be the fault of the ammuntion. Have you tried groups with each chamber to see if one is flying wide of the rest? Also, when I had horizontal drift, I sould suspect a slight wind or perhaps error in aim. Heck, the sun dropping behind a cloud can change the sight picture enough to caused spread.

One time, early on I had a line of six shots left to right on the target. Next six, Pop watched and figures I was using the bullseye for my first shot and then aiming at the bullet holes as they appeared on target. That is no longer a problem as they don't make a big enough caliber for me to see much past 15 yards!

Good luck and I look forward to seeing more of those great deck photos.

Hammerdown
11-17-2008, 01:42 PM
Hello StrawHat
Anything is Possible as the Older I get the worse I see, Know what I mean ? I was Pretty steady the day I shot the Target shown and after it Printed out Like it did, I read where the .32 S&W Long caliber Crimp is very crucial on this round. I have Taken the time to trim all the brass and size it correctly even though the Nature of the Beast has been to Not swell the brass at all. I Like a finicky caliber's and I am seeing this one is stubborn and hard to Nail down as being Perfect but I guess we hand Loaders like it that way...:p Hammerdown