Help for a gun collector's wife

[Lacey]

My husband was in he midst of making a list of his collection and it's approximate value when he was taken very ill. This S&W 32.20 is one that he hadn't gotten to but now someone wants to buy it and the money would be very helpful. I know absolutely nothing about guns and he's not capable of giving me any help. I've worn my eyes out looking at websites and forums to get an idea of price. He always took very good care of his guns and I was thinking that $550 would be a fair price. Does that sound reasonable? The serial # on the end of the butt is 40957.
Thanks so much.S&W 6.jpg

S&W photos.jpg

[Mike, SC Hunter]

It looks likethe barrel has been shortened in the first photo. My estimate would be $375-400 tops for one in that condition.

[H Richard]

I'm not the best expert, but the condition looks very decent, The S/N puts it as a 32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 2nd Change, and mfg between 1906 and 1909. The grips appear to be from a slightly later model, ( a 4th change mfg. 1915-1940). I the mechanics are in good working order, and the bore and chambers are fairly clean and no rust I feel quite a few collectors would pay $550 as a reasonable price, if not a little more. ( I think the short barrel may be the perspective of the photo, but measure from the cylinder face to the end of the barrel and it should be 4" +/- 1/8"). If the barrel has been cut it will reduce the value probably 20-25% as a shooter only.

Hopefully some others will be along soon and either confirm this or offer more insight.

I wish your husband well, and a quick recovery of whatever ails him.

[JP@AK]

Hello Lacey, and welcome to the Forum.
When I read your title and before I read the content, I was going to tell you what my wife would say: "There is no help for a gun collector's wife."
Now, I decided to tell you that anyway, in the hope that it will bring at least a brief smile to your face. Please know you have our deep sympathy for your situation. We'll help in any way we can.
Now, to your .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905. This gun probably left the factory in about 1909. It is in decent, although not collector-grade condition. The one problem I think I see is the barrel looks too short. You didn't post a photo that shows the whole gun well, but it looks like the barrel has been shortened. Nonetheless, the stocks and everything else appear to be original. But I think $550 might be pretty high for an altered gun. $200 might be closer to reality.
You might consider showing us another photo that displays the end of the barrel. You could also measure it from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle. It should be 4" but I don't think it is.
Best regards,
Jack

[mikepriwer]

There is something unusual about this gun, that ought to be resolved before you
put a price on it. The barrel on this gun has either been cut, or is a special order.
The shortest standard length was 4", measured from the front face of the cylinder
to the end of the barrel.

This looks like its about 3", or maybe 3 1/8 to 3 1/4, from what I can tell in the picture.
If you would be so kind, measure the length of the barrel.

Also, if you can, get a clear picture of the top of the barrel. I'm interested in knowing
what is stamped there. If the barrel has been cut, there might be the remainder of
the patent date roll markings. If you'd like, you can send the pictures to my email:
[email protected]

From the serial number, this gun should be about 1909 to 1910. It has most of the
correct features for this time period: non-medallion concave grips and shoulder on the
barrel at the frame face. The patent date roll marking should be on the right side of
the barrel, but from your picture, they are not there. Also, the front sight is directly
over the extractor lug, which is either the result of the barrel being cut, or it being
a special order.

If its been cut, the gun is worth a lot less than $550. If its original, and that is
possible, then its worth a lot more.

Regards, Mike Priwer

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by H Richard

The grips appear to be from a slightly later model, ( a 4th change mfg. 1915-1940).

No. The stock circle is concave, as those issued before 1911 were. The non-medallion stocks from 1920 on had convex stock circles. These are correct for the period.
Jack

[Lacey]

Thanks to all of you for your input. I've measured the barrel; it's 3 l/2" from cylinder to tip. The only writing on it is on the left side "32 Winchester CTG" in tiny letters. There are two different series of numbers inside the gun: (I've attached photos showing where they're located) The numbers 40967 are on the cartridge holder (please don't laugh if that's not the right term), and in the other photo, you'll see the phrase 'numbers here' -- I don't know what this piece is called -- but the numbers - 6435 - are very tiny.

If this helps narrow down what a good price would be, I'll be forever grateful.

[Lacey]

Well, I see that my talent in editing photos hasn't improved. The "numbers here" that I'd added in the one photo has mysteriously disappeared. Hope you can tell where the numbers are on the part of the gun that opens out when the cartridge holder swings out.

[shouldazagged]

Can't help with the value, Lacey, and unfortunately have no money to buy that interesting old revolver; but I'm certainly sending prayers and all good wishes for you and your husband. I'm sure I speak for a lot of us here on the forum.

[mikepriwer]

Lacey

The cartridge holder is called the cylinder. I assume that the serial number on the
butt is the same number that is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder ?

Now - with the cylinder open, look on the flat area on the bottom of the barrel.
There should be, in small stamping, that same serial number. Is it there, or is there
some other number ?

Finally, just to confirm, the only markings on the sides and top of the barrel are the
caliber on the left side of the barrel, and there are no markings on the top , and the
right side ?

Regards, Mike Priwer

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by Lacey

Hope you can tell where the numbers are on the part of the gun that opens out when the cartridge holder swings out.

No problem on the terminology. We know what you mean. For future reference, it is called the cylinder.
In this instance, the number that really counts will be on the bottom of the barrel itself. There is a flat area on the bottom which is just above the extractor rod when the cylinder is closed. Open the cylinder and look on that flat area. There should be a serial number there.
Also, I noticed that the number you gave in your first post from the butt was 40957 and the one on the cylinder you said was 40967. I wonder if you are reading one of those incorrectly. They should match and it would be a strange coincidence if one was 57 and the other 67. You might want to compare them again.
But, as we've said, right now our main concern is the identity of the barrel. It clearly is not a standard barrel and, at this stage, I seriously doubt it is original. See if you can find a number on the bottom of it.
Regards,
Jack

[JP@AK]

The numbers, 6435 on the yoke are not relevant. They are "process" or "assembly" numbers that lost their meaning long ago.
Jack

[JP@AK]

Ah. I see Mike is back. You are in the best of hands with him, Lacey, so I'm backing off.
Jack

[Lacey]

Well What do you know...more tiny numbers. Yes, when I opened the Cylinder (see how fast I learn?) there are indeed numbers on the flat bottom part of the barrel. There's an "s" by itself. Then the numbers "40967". And, yes, I can now see that both the numbers on the cylinder and the numbers on the bottom of the handle are also"40967", thanks to two pair of glasses and a magnifying glass. They must stamp these numbers for 21-year-old eyes. So, all the numbers are the same. Does this mean something good?

[Lacey]

Forgot to add that, except for the "32 Winchester CAB" on the side and the 40967 numbers hidden on the flat bottom of the barrel, there's nothing else written on the barrel.

[jjbrewst1]

Now Im Intrigued....Mike?? Barrel Down?

[mikepriwer]

Insofar as the serial number 40967 is concerned, the gun was shipped in the 1908 - 1909
time period. The manufacturing process involved having the barrel and cylinder serial-
numbered to the frame. That is what exists today, so presumably the gun is all
original - sans the length of the barrel. The official name of this revolver is a
32-20 Military & Police Model of 1905 2nd change.

The barrel has been shortened, probably by about 3 inches. Assuming that the
original length of the barrel was 5 or 6 or 6 1/2 inches, there would have been
patent-date roll markings on the top of the barrel. Shortening the barrel to 3 1/2
inches would have cut off about half of those roll markings. Since there are no
markings on the top of the barrel now, presumably the remaining markings were
filed off. If the original barrel were 4 inches long, then the patent-date roll markings
would have been on the right side of the barrel. Cutting off 1/2 inch would not
have severely damaged those roll markings, so they would probably have been left
alone. That there are no markings on the right side, and none on the top, suggest
a 5-inch or longer original barrel.

With an experienced eye, one can see that the contour of the barrel is not correct;
the barrel is too thick at the muzzle end (where the bullet comes out). It doesn't have
the full taper that it ought to have. This would be the result of a longer barrel being
cut.

It is curious that there is an "s" stamped on the barrel flat. Typically, but not always,
this is a service department marking, suggesting that the gun was returned to the
factory for some kind of work on the barrel. Higher magnification of the picture
showing the top of the barrel appears to show a flat area having been cut on the barrel,
upon which is the re-mounted front sight. Its doubtful the factory would have done
this kind of work on the barrel, but absent the service department records, one never
knows. Typically, but not always, a gun returned to the factory service department
would have the date stamped on the grip frame, under the grips. Only the service
department records, if the gun did go back, would confirm what was done.

With its 3 1/2 inch (probably) not-factory shortened barrel, it has significantly-reduced
collector value. Its value today is primarily as a shooter, although if one could find
an original barrel, the gun could be partially restored, although the net value
enhancement is dubious, after all would be said and done.

There are lots of 32-20's around, so if one wanted one, they are available. I'd think
this one is probably worth $250 to $300. Its entirely possible that someone would
pay more, but they'd be buying a short-barreled shooter, and in 32-20 caliber, which
is somewhat scarce and somewhat pricy.

That's my story, and so far, I'm sticking to it !

Regards, Mike Priwer

[Lacey]

Thank you, Mike, and thank all of you for your knowledge and taking the time to give me all this information. Obviously my original thought of $500 is out of line and I'll adjust.

Thanks once again.

Another question -- one of my husband's hobbies when he was well was refurbishing old guns and in doing so he made gun stocks, rifle stocks, mostly, and he made some absolutely beautiful ones. He still has left a few big pieces of aged walnut, probably 30 years old. Is there a market for this and, if so, can you give me any ideas of where I could advertise it?

Thanks,
Lacey.

[mikepriwer]

Lacey

The first name that comes to mind is Keith Brown of KB Grips. He is an outstanding
woodcarver, and a favorite of many members of the S&W Forum, including me. His
website is Keith Brown Grips - Home . He has a contact email address on the website.

I would start with him. He lives in the Dayton , Ohio area.

There are several other wood carvers/grip makers, as well as furniture makers that
might have an interest. I think it will not be difficult to sell good aged walnut.

Regards, Mike Priwer

[A10]

Hi Lacey. There is a market for nice wood. You might think about taking pictures andposting Iin the miscellaneous for sale section here. I can't help with value.

[Lacey]

Thanks, guys.

Lacey

[mikepriwer]

Lacey

I sent you a pm (private message) indicating that I might have an interest in the
walnut, depending on what you have.

Regards, Mike Priwer [email protected]

[Troystat]

Don't know enough about older S&W's but the walnut could be worth a lot to the correct buyer if it is in good condition. You might contact some custom gun stock makers they can give you a good idea of what you have. Good pictures and measurements can be a big help for that.

Good luck and I hope your husband recovers.