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08-20-2011, 01:18 PM
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New guy with hand ejector question
Hello all,
I am new to the forum and have a question about an S&W that I picked up this week. S/N 955XX, .32 WCF
Any info about date of mfr., heat treatment, suitability of modern .32-20 ammunition, etc. would be appreciated.
Sorry about the blurry one, it is HOT here in LA.
Thanks,
John
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08-20-2011, 01:29 PM
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Welcome to the Forum. For the .32/20 Hand Ejector 4th change, SN 65701-144684 were made from 1915-'40, but they were probably made in larger numbers earlier in this period, so early-mid 1920s would be my guess. It is probably before "modern" heat-treatment of the era was started.
Modern factory ammo is loaded light (100 gr at 900 fps or so) and should be safe; it used to be made in a rifle loading that is not safe in revolvers, but this has been out of production for decades. Hope this is helpful.
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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
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08-20-2011, 01:31 PM
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Welcome to the forum.
Per the SCSW #3, heat treating of the cylinder began at 81287.
Should be safe with current ammo, appears reblued.
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"I also cook."
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08-20-2011, 01:38 PM
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Thanks for the quick replies and info, I appreciate it. I concur with S&WChad, the piece does appear to be reblued, so it'll be a shooter.
Cheers,
John
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08-20-2011, 01:44 PM
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Absent Comrade US Veteran SWCA Founding Member
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Welcome to the Forum. The gun is a .32-20 hand ejector, Model of 1905, 4th change, made 1915 to 1940. A close serial number, 95573, was shipped Jan. 21, 1921. S&W did not ship in serial numbe sequence, but your gun was probably shipped in that time frame.The stocks n your gun are replacements, using WW2 Victory Model smooth walnut stocks. Original stocks would have been checkered walnut w/o S&W medallions. Modern 32-20 ammo. is safe to shoot in these guns, if the guns are in good mechanical condition, as the rounds are loaded to low pressures. Your gun does not have the heat treated cylinder, as they did not start until serial number 81287, but that should not be a problem if you are not shooting hot handloads. original black powder .32-20 ammo. was loaded in two pressures, a low pressure for revolvers and a higher pressure for rifles. Those old boxes are usually marked for which type, but that's expensive collector ammo. so you are probably not going to be shooting that, should you have or find any. Ed.
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08-20-2011, 02:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opoefc
Your gun does not have the heat treated cylinder, as they did not start until serial number 81287...
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His is #95,5XX so it should be heat treated.
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08-20-2011, 07:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opoefc
Welcome to the Forum. The gun is a .32-20 hand ejector, Model of 1905, 4th change, made 1915 to 1940. A close serial number, 95573, was shipped Jan. 21, 1921. S&W did not ship in serial numbe sequence, but your gun was probably shipped in that time frame.The stocks n your gun are replacements, using WW2 Victory Model smooth walnut stocks. Original stocks would have been checkered walnut w/o S&W medallions. Modern 32-20 ammo. is safe to shoot in these guns, if the guns are in good mechanical condition, as the rounds are loaded to low pressures. (1) Your gun does not have the heat treated cylinder, as they did not start until serial number 81287, but that should not be a problem if you are not shooting hot handloads. (2) original black powder .32-20 ammo. was loaded in two pressures, a low pressure for revolvers and a higher pressure for rifles. Those old boxes are usually marked for which type, but that's expensive collector ammo. so you are probably not going to be shooting that, should you have or find any. Ed.
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The OP posted his SN, which is well beyond the number generally accepted as when heat-treating began.
Yes, there were high-velocity loadings for rifles for .32-20, but they were smokeless loads with 80 gr, round nose Jacketed Hollow Point bullets. They have not been available for many years and were clearly marked as "Not for use in pistols".
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Gunsmithing since 1961
Last edited by s&wchad; 08-20-2011 at 09:57 PM.
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