I have been given responsibility to maintain and pass on a S&W, and while I know the cool story as to how it was acquired sometime back in our grandparents history in Birmingham AL, I do not know anything in particular about the gun.
The following info is what I was able to identify:
1) hand ejector
2) SN 81503
3) 32 cal
4) 5" barrel
6) fixed site
7) with strain screw
8) 5 screw

Attached Images

image.jpg (64.5 KB, 237 views)

Welcome to the forum.

That's a nice hand ejector with apparently it's original nickel finish and original wood stocks .

It is 32 cal but it's not 32 S&W which is not the cartridge for yours; you have not provided the cartridge chambering from the right side of the barrel, which is 32 WCF Ctg.

The cartridge and the serial # identifies it as a ".32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905- 4th Change", model made between 1915 and 1940. The # and the revolver's features specifically indicate yours was produced prior to S&W's production of arms for the US in WW I during 1917.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Welcome. Jim has provided you with all the pertinent information, but I believe your revolver most likely shipped right after The Great War. 1919 is my bet, since I have an 81XXX that shipped in Mar. 1919. Given that the company did not ship in serial number order, it did, at least, ship in the teens if those stocks are original to the gun.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

The closest .32-20 Military and Police (M&P) revolver SN I have listed is 809xx which shipped in 6/1919. It would reasonable to expect that yours likely shipped sometime in mid-1919. The "Deep Dish" gold medallions on the wooden grips are correct for that time period.

The .32-20 cartridge was also known in the past as the .32 Winchester and the .32 WCF. The barrel on yours is probably stamped as .32 WCF CTG. It is still available, but most retail outlets will not stock it. A large gun shop may have some. But it can be special ordered through dealers, and it is not unusual to find some at gun shows. There are also internet sources. Typically it is fairly expensive, $1.00/cartridge or possibly even more. Any .32-20 cartridge having a lead bullet is safe to shoot in your revolver.

S&W discontinued production of M&Ps in .32-20 in the late 1920s, but they continued to be sold out of factory inventory until about 1940. SNs for the .32-20 go up to about 144,000. The same revolver chambered in .38 S&W Special was vastly more popular, with millions in that caliber sold.

Tim,

Just to avoid confusion, production dates and shipping dates are not the same, and can be years apart. Most people are interested or ask when their gun was made/manufactured/produced, which is what I estimated.

Gary and DWalt have correctly provided the most likely "shipping" period dates for your gun.

Does yours have the S&W logo stamped on the left side of the frame? This will be helpful to pin down more closely when it was actually made.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks all for your help. Smith and Wesson is stamped on the left side of the barrel, but I do not see anything stamped on the frame. So, it looks like it is almost 100 years old.... Cool. The uncle that put it in my trust for safekeeping and to pass on to my son someday had it gunsmithed a few years ago. The last I saw it was 10'years ago, and I remember it being rather loose and sloppy. It is tight and right at this time.
I appreciate the ammo info too.
Thanks much.
Tim

No logo on frame means post WW I production and before 1920, so the produced date in your case is very likely close to the shipped dates given above.

Look for Cowboy Ammo brands like Black Hills, Magtech, Ten X Ammo, and others for mild loads that are priced lower than $1.00 a shot.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Welcome to the forum.
Since I've lived in Birmingham all my life I'd love to hear the "cool story."

image.jpgI have a blued one stamped 32 wcf ctg 4 inch barrel serial # 78945 but don't see the stamp on the side ,could someone help in what year it was made

Same here, Although I am 30 miles east of you I've worked almost my entire career in B'ham.

Wouldn't it be cool if it was won in a speak easy at a poker table?
Maybe the Sheriff layed it on the table.
We are waiting......
Bob

I lived and worked in the B'ham area for over 20 years. Bought several .32-20s as well.

I also worked a couple of murders/assaults where the offender used a .32-20 revolver, loaded with .32 Long cartridges.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Was Robert Johnson in on one of those?

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Halfway and one more step

Murders in the Ham? Say it's not so.
Back to our regular programming.

Shocking. Just.... Shocking!!

I actually worked in one of the suburbs that also had a high crime rate.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I done the paramedic thingie in in the Fairgrounds, Ensley, Wylam, Brighton, Lipscomb, and second out backup for Bessemer station. Medic 705. (Shudders at the all nighter 24 hr shift memories in my old age...)

Heck of a place to throw a rookie in 1991 but it made me a better medic.

Good thing about being in Bessemer I found Simmon's Sporting Goods!

Yes, working in the Bessemer Cut-Off was guarenteed to give one an education in the worst that folks can and will do to each other.

I walked in Simmons one day and the late Barry Simmons handed me a 5" .32-20 S&W Model of 1902. Of course I bought it and have managed to hang on to it for over 25 years.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Yes sir! Mr. Simmons treated my dad right in the 70s on several gun purchases and I thru the years have purchased from them. They moved their store to the vacant building next to them and is now a large one story salesroom. Any reloading or guns I want he will order it if not in stock. Only thing I'm still waiting on is a Colt SAA but that is about a 2-3 year wait.

Bessemer cut off....... A wretched mix of urban yoots and violent wood folks mixed with coal miners... At least it was then.

Speaking of Simmons new store, the times I've been in there they have not had many used guns, especially S&Ws. The old store was full of them and they kept some in the rear. You could tell them what you were looking for and they go back there and see if they could find one.
The last time I was there I ask about used S&Ws and the guy said the ones they get now don't stay long.

That's true. I keep an aey out for no lock K, L, and N frames everytime I'm in there. No luck as they come and go quick.