The .32 Rimfire Cartridge: History and Variations

History and Development of the .32 Rimfire

The .32 rimfire cartridge emerged in the late 1850s and early 1860s as part of the rapid development of self-contained metallic cartridges that transformed firearms technology. The rimfire ignition system -- where the priming compound is distributed around the inside rim of the cartridge base and detonated by a firing pin striking the rim -- was one of the earliest successful approaches to self-contained ammunition. Smith & Wesson's .22 Short rimfire of 1857 proved the concept, and larger rimfire calibers quickly followed.

The .32 rimfire filled an important gap in the market. The .22 rimfire was too small for serious self-defense or medium small-game hunting. The .44 Henry rimfire, while powerful, required a large and expensive rifle. The .32 rimfire offered a practical middle ground -- enough power for personal defense at close range and effective for small game, while fitting in compact, affordable handguns and lightweight rifles that ordinary citizens could purchase and carry.

Manufactured primarily in the United States by companies including Remington, Winchester, UMC (Union Metallic Cartridge Company), and Peters, the .32 rimfire was produced in multiple variations. Each variant was designed to cater to different firearms and shooting applications, from tiny palm pistols to full-length sporting rifles.

Variants of the .32 Rimfire

.32 Short Rimfire

The .32 Short Rimfire was one of the most commonly produced versions of the cartridge. Introduced around 1860, it used a copper case approximately 0.61 inches long with an outside-lubricated lead bullet of .316 inch diameter weighing about 80 grains. Loaded with black powder, it produced a muzzle velocity of roughly 945 fps from a pistol barrel and around 1,000 fps from a rifle. The cartridge was widely used in small pocket revolvers and some rifles. With a relatively mild powder charge, it was effective for close-range shooting, making it a practical choice for self-defense and small-game hunting during the late 19th century.

.32 Long Rimfire

The .32 Long Rimfire was an elongated version of the Short, with a case length of approximately 0.78 inches. The longer case allowed for a heavier powder charge, pushing a 90-grain lead bullet to approximately 1,050 fps from a rifle barrel. This variant was more commonly used in rifles like the Stevens Favorite and various Remington models, where the additional velocity and energy made it meaningfully more effective for hunting and target shooting at ranges beyond 25-50 yards. The .32 Long Rimfire was arguably the most versatile member of the family -- powerful enough for hunting rabbits and squirrels, accurate enough for informal target shooting, and still manageable in a compact firearm.

.32 Extra Short Rimfire

Manufactured primarily by Remington Arms, the .32 Extra Short Rimfire, also known as the .32 Protector, was designed for use in specialized ultra-compact firearms like the Protector Palm Pistol (a squeeze-action turret pistol) and the Remington Magazine Pistol. With a case length of only about 0.34 inches and a bullet weight of around 54 grains, it was the smallest member of the .32 rimfire family. Its power was minimal -- barely adequate for contact-distance self-defense -- but its tiny size allowed firearms designers to create small, concealable weapons. The .32 Extra Short Rimfire was never as widespread as other .32 rimfire variants and is among the most collectible today.

.32 Extra Long Rimfire

The .32 Extra Long Rimfire was the largest member of the family, with a case length of approximately 1.0 inches. This round was developed to maximize power within the limitations of rimfire ignition, pushing a heavier bullet at higher velocity than the .32 Long. It was primarily used in rifles, particularly in European markets, where longer cartridges were favored for improved ballistic performance. The .32 Extra Long Rimfire approached the capability of some early centerfire cartridges, but ultimately it could not compete with the superior reliability and strength of centerfire designs. It remained a niche product throughout its production life.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the four primary .32 rimfire variants:

Note: Specifications varied between manufacturers and over time. These figures represent typical loadings. Typical factory specifications -- figures may vary by manufacturer and era. Reference: Frank Barnes, Cartridges of the World.

Firearms Chambered for the .32 Rimfire

Dozens of manufacturers produced firearms chambered for the various .32 rimfire cartridges. These ranged from tiny pocket revolvers to full-length sporting rifles. Some of the most notable models include:

Revolvers

• Smith & Wesson Model 2 Army -- A well-known tip-up revolver chambered in .32 Rimfire Long, popular during and after the Civil War for personal defense and civilian use. Over 77,000 were produced between 1861 and 1874. Union soldiers purchased these privately as backup weapons, and they saw extensive use on the frontier. (production figures vary by source, commonly cited around 77,000)
• Smith & Wesson Model 1-1/2 -- A smaller tip-up revolver offered in .32 rimfire, produced from 1865 to 1875. Approximately 26,300 were manufactured.
• Harrington & Richardson Revolvers -- H&R produced multiple revolvers chambered in .32 rimfire, often marketed as affordable alternatives to Smith & Wesson models. These were widely distributed through hardware stores and mail-order catalogs.
• Remington Revolvers -- Remington manufactured pocket-sized revolvers chambered in .32 rimfire, targeting the civilian market. Their New Line series included .32 rimfire options.
• Hopkins & Allen Revolvers -- A prolific manufacturer of affordable revolvers, many chambered in .32 rimfire. These were widely sold as "house guns" and personal defense weapons.

Rifles

• Stevens Favorite -- A single-shot falling-block rifle that gained widespread popularity due to its affordability, light weight, and accuracy. The Stevens Favorite in .32 Long Rimfire was one of the most popular small-game rifles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thousands of American farm boys learned to shoot on these rifles.
• Remington Rolling Block Rifles -- Some versions of the Remington rolling block design were chambered in .32 Rimfire Long. These robust single-shot rifles were widely used for small-game hunting and target practice.
• Stevens Crack Shot and Marksman -- Stevens produced several affordable single-shot rifles in .32 rimfire for the youth and recreational market.
• Winchester Model 1873 -- Some early Winchester 1873 lever-action rifles were chambered in .32 rimfire, though these are quite rare and highly collectible.
• European Sporting Rifles -- Many European firearms manufacturers, particularly in Germany, Belgium, and Austria, produced rifles chambered in .32 rimfire, particularly the .32 Long and Extra Long variants. These were used for hunting small to medium-sized game and for Schuetzen-style target shooting.

Specialty Firearms

• Protector Palm Pistol -- An unusual squeeze-action turret pistol designed by Jacques Turbiaux and manufactured by the Minneapolis Firearms Company. Chambered in .32 Extra Short Rimfire, it was a flat, round disc that fired by squeezing the grip. These are now rare and highly collectible curiosities.
• Remington Magazine Pistol (Elliot's Derringer) -- A multi-barrel derringer design that used .32 Extra Short Rimfire cartridges. The ring trigger rotated the firing mechanism to the next barrel.

Decline and Obsolescence

Despite its popularity throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the .32 rimfire cartridge family eventually fell into decline. Several factors contributed to this:

1. Advancements in Centerfire Ammunition -- As centerfire technology improved, cartridges with more reliable primers, higher pressure capability, and better ballistic performance became the standard. Centerfire cartridges could be reloaded; rimfire cartridges could not. The shift toward centerfire rounds rendered rimfire designs less desirable for serious hunting and self-defense applications.
2. The .32 Rimfire's Structural Limitations -- Rimfire cartridge cases must be thin enough at the rim for the firing pin to crush the priming compound. This limits the maximum pressure the cartridge can safely generate. As shooters demanded more power and range, the rimfire design became a technological dead end for anything larger than .22 caliber.
3. Limited Military and Law Enforcement Use -- Unlike larger calibers, the .32 rimfire never gained widespread adoption in military or law enforcement circles. As a result, demand remained largely confined to civilian markets, which were shrinking as better alternatives appeared.
4. Manufacturing Economics -- The cost of producing rimfire ammunition increased over time, particularly as demand dwindled. Many manufacturers phased out .32 rimfire production in favor of more profitable centerfire rounds and the ubiquitous .22 Long Rifle.
5. The Rise of the .22 Long Rifle -- The introduction of high-velocity .22 Long Rifle rounds using smokeless powder provided better performance in a smaller, cheaper package. The .22 LR could do most of what the .32 Short Rimfire could do -- small-game hunting, target practice, pest control -- at lower cost and with less recoil. The .32 rimfire simply could not compete.

Availability and Modern Collectibility

Today, the .32 rimfire is no longer in mass production. Navy Arms Company had periodically imported .32 Rimfire Long manufactured by CBC (Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos) in Brazil until approximately 2014, but that supply has dried up. Occasional limited runs appear from specialty manufacturers, but availability is unpredictable and prices are high.

Original vintage .32 rimfire ammunition is highly sought after by collectors, often commanding premium prices at auctions, gun shows, and specialized online dealers. A full, original box of .32 Rimfire Long from a 19th-century manufacturer like UMC or Winchester can sell for $50 to $200+ depending on condition and rarity. Individual loose cartridges in good condition typically sell for $2 to $5 each.

Some enterprising shooters have experimented with converting centerfire cases to function in .32 rimfire firearms. The most common approach involves modifying .32 S&W Short centerfire brass, but these conversions require advanced gunsmithing skills, custom-made tools, and a thorough understanding of the pressure limitations of antique firearms. This is not a project for beginners, and shooting any antique firearm carries inherent risks that modern shooters should understand and respect.

Safety Warning for Antique .32 Rimfire Firearms

If you own a firearm chambered in .32 rimfire and are considering firing it, exercise extreme caution. Most .32 rimfire firearms are well over 100 years old. Age, metallurgy of the era, unknown maintenance history, and potential hidden damage make firing these weapons risky. Before firing any antique firearm:

• Have the firearm inspected by a qualified gunsmith experienced with antique arms
• Check for cracks, erosion, bulges, or pitting in the barrel and chambers
• Verify that the lockwork functions correctly and holds on all positions
• Use only ammunition appropriate for the specific firearm -- never use modern high-pressure loads in antique guns
• Wear appropriate eye and ear protection

Many collectors choose to keep their .32 rimfire firearms as display pieces rather than firing them, which preserves both the firearm's condition and the collector's fingers.

Conclusion

The .32 rimfire cartridge family represents an important chapter in the history of American firearms and ammunition. From the Civil War through the early 20th century, these cartridges armed millions of Americans for self-defense, small-game hunting, and recreational shooting. While the technology that replaced them -- centerfire primers and the dominant .22 Long Rifle -- was objectively superior, the .32 rimfire's legacy lives on through the firearms it chambered, the ammunition collectors preserve, and the historical record it left behind.

For those looking to purchase original .32 rimfire ammunition or firearms, online auctions, estate sales, and collector groups remain the best sources. If you own one of these firearms, proper storage, care, and responsible handling will ensure that this historical piece remains in good condition for generations to come.

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