Quick question please. Below are a couple of photos of my S&W 32-20, SN 989xx. Just the question of whether the grips are of comparable vintage; my suspicion being they are postwar.
Insights appreciated!
iskra

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Yep. That's how I see it too. We pretty much know the .32-20s were all produced in the 1920s or earlier. That would require non-medallion grips, or those from the teens with gold medallions. Yours also have the reduced coverage checkering seen after the war. There may be the remote possibility that some guns were discovered in the vault after the war, and then for whatever reason got then current grips installed. But then you need to also believe in unicorns and fairies. Accept the gun as a good shooter. Or seek out some correct grips from a scoundrel at a gun show.

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Dick Burg

But those appear to be some really nice early post war sharp shoulder grips.

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Get off my lawn!

Yes. Those are postwar sharp-shoulder Magna stocks. This style shipped only from the spring of 1946 until early 1953.

On a .32-20 with serial number 989xx, they would have been of the 1920s style with no medallion, as that gun would probably date to the early part of that decade (probably 1920). Number 812xx shipped in the autumn of 1919. Your revolver lacks the Made in U.S.A., which showed up first in 1922. Also in 1922, the cartridge marking changed from 32 W.C.F. CTG to 32-20 CTG.

But, as has been mentioned, ship dates are all over the map on the .32-20, so yours could have shipped later.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

The sharp shoulder grips were used during the post-WWII period, until about 1953. Nonetheless, they are also classic Magna grips, as are the convex round tops which would be period-correct for yours. Your revolver was likely shipped about 1921. I'd think it should not have the "MADE IN U.S.A." frame stamping on the right side, as yours does not have.

Correct. And it doesn't - as seen in the OP's second picture.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Your gun was manufactured probably 1921-1922 sometime. It does not have the "Made In USA" stamp on the lower right frame that was ordered in 1922. The stocks date from 1946-1952 and are of the "high" or "sharp shoulder" style. Recently another poster had an earlier .32-20 that had a later barrel and the same period stocks as yours, it had a service date-stamp under the stocks sometime in 1952 as I recall, as well as the "re-work" star stamp after the SN.

The star will appear on the butt of the gun, after the SN. Remove the left stock and you may find a date stamp of the form of 6.52 for June 1952. The "dot" may or not be present. If the stocks were replaced at the same time they may have your gun's SN stamped on the back of the right stock, or possibly there will be no SN. If there is a mis-matching SN, and no date stamp on the frame, then the stocks came from a later gun and could have been changed by anyone, at any time after the date which that SN would indicate.

Perhaps a bit belated thanks, but genuine and also very much appreciated detailed responses and also for the additional informative data appended! As always here, blown away by the great expertise and willingness to help!

I don't anticipate trying to change the grips. I liked the looks of this 32-20 from the moment I saw it and continue to enjoy the 'mixed retro' vintage styling. Less to be concerned about the investment and more about just enjoying!
Best to all!
iskra/John

"I don't anticipate trying to change the grips."

As nice as those on it are, I wouldn't change them either. If you are tempted, look on eBay. The 1920s style show up from time to time, and usually are not that costly.

The grips in the attached picture are what one would expect from a revolver of that vintage. One of these is a 32-20, the other 38spl. Yours look nice on the old piece!
Aloha
Gordy

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Thanks for the affirmation of my decision to sit tight on the grips. I'd never presume to permanently change out original grips in condition comparable to the host gun. Yet as stated, that not the case here and I like the appearance. I do appreciate the eBay suggestion. Though not much for trolling eBay, I'll keep it in mind.
Thanks for the Post reflecting those nice guns and correct grips. Era correct and of course difficult to beat beat authenticity!

I've just decided to continue 'the roll' by posting a couple more Smiths in a new Thread concerning grip authenticity. Perhaps 'see' you all there!
Iskra / John

I hope I am correct-- these stocks seem to be of the earlier flavor-- for their age they are in pretty good shape and I have never seen reason to change them. Gun is like a watch on the inside even though it has at sometime been refinished-- # is something like 829* that is with a star--