Another 32-20 Hand Ejector thread.

[bassetman1974]

Hello,

I've collected S&W's for quite some time, but most of my S&W's are from the 1970's. I added this nice 32-20 the other day and it's the pride of the fleet.

It's a 4th change with 126xxx serial number. Knowing they ended in 144684, I assumed mine was late 1930's but it doesn't mean a whole lot after learning more about S&W serial numbers.

After further review, the stocks and mushroom head on the ejector rod look to be 1929 or before. Am I correct? Any info on getting closer to the year of mfg would be helpful. I'm definitely going to get a letter for thins one.

thanks,

BM

[DWalt]

Manufacture stopped around 1929-30, but the M&P in .32-20 continued to be cataloged until 1940. Sales made during the 1930s were from assembled guns in inventory or those assembled from .32-20 frames, barrels, and cylinders remaining in inventory. On my list I show SNs fairly close to yours which shipped in the 1925-27 period.

[bassetman1974]

Thanks, that will hold me over until I get my letter from Mr. Jinks. This revolver is like new with no turn line. I have the original box as well but it's a little tattered being 80 some years old. Any ideas on an honest value?

thanks again,

BM

[DWalt]

I'd say that with the original box, and in the condition shown, you are north of $600. From the grips and the mushroom extractor rod knob, it's almost certainly from 1927 or earlier. The box can be restored, there are those on the forum who can do it. No idea of cost.

[bassetman1974]

Thanks again for your excellent help.

BM

[rburg]

Value is what someone will pay. At an OGCA show within the last year a guy had one that was nearly perfect in a nearly perfect box and had it priced at $1400. That seemed high to me and I wouldn't pay that much. Just the gun without the box seems to run in the $600-800 range. The box, even if worn really increases the value of the package. All the boxes from the 20s and 30s are getting scarce. .32-20s are really rare with the box.

As you should be aware, S&W didn't track production dates on guns. It reduces us to guessing based on features. Nearly all have the mushroom head extractor and non-medallion grips. That cries out 1920s production and its a pretty good guess. Anyone who suggests anything different except 19-teens is probably going to have a difficult time supporting it.

We have old grouches here who don't believe in paying for a cardboard box. The more astute buyers do. Generally the box alone and nothing else raises the value of the package by at least a couple of hundred dollars. On some by as much as a thousand or two! Yes, we're talking about RMs and K22 2nds. I throw that into this discussion because the box is worth a lot.

Its deserving of some added protection. Send it off for rehab. To protect it I'd suggest looking for a tupperware type container. Look for one not much larger than the box itself, low/long and slim.

[Hunter Keith]

My factory nickel, 6 inch bbl, .32-20 WCF ,factory letter:Serial #122,308, shipped October 2nd, 1925. Hope this will help.

[Skeetr57]

SN 144204, a blue 4" square butt was shipped in September 1934. That is only about 200 guns from the last SN, so they must have been really slow movers at that point.

[DWalt]

There is a report of a .32-20 M&P shipping as late as 1946, almost certainly a parts cleanup gun. The latest I have on my list is 1430xx which shipped on 8/8/38. They were indeed slow movers at that time. Colt stopped making their revolvers chambered in .32-20 at about the same time as S&W. Who wants a .32-20 when they could have the same gun in the more powerful .38 Special?