32-20 identification/value

Diesel899 · #1 05-26-2017, 05:41 PM

Hello,
I was given an old Smith and Wesson revolver by my father-in-law. Sn 136484, five screw, 5 in barrel in 32-20 ctg, with fixed sights. My first question is can anyone tell me the year of manufacture, and it's possible value? Also what are the correct grips for this revolver?
Thank you, Jeff

rct269 · #2 05-26-2017, 06:55 PM

The closest I have is 114655, shipped August 21, 1923. Others will be along with more to help narrow it down. And that's all you'll be doing as the guns were seldom shipped in serial order. As an aside, those others will also supply shipping dates only---as manufacturing dates are not readily available. A factory letter may be obtained for your gun which will (normally) give you the exact shipping date---and the recipient.

As to value, all I can tell you is not much; as the gun has been refinished (by other than the factory) at some point in its life---as witnessed by the plated hammer/trigger.

Identification of the correct grips will best wait until a decent date can be established.

Ralph Tremaine

Wiregrassguy · #3 05-26-2017, 06:59 PM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! It's difficult to give you a date of shipping because the 32-20 didn't sell very well and was strung out in its sales. Your gun was shipped in the 1915 to 1940 period. You would have to get a historians letter to get an accurate ship day. Also your gun has been refinished in aftermarket and has no collector value. As a shooter it would range from $250 to $350 in my area.

Guy

Muley Gil · #4 05-26-2017, 07:12 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

More than likely it shipped with non-medallion checkered walnut service grips.

FifthWheel · #5 05-26-2017, 07:35 PM

I have a nickel 5" that shipped in 1921, SN 977XX and was lettered.
There's a thread link with lots of info on this model.
The .32-20 Hand Ejector Thread

JP@AK · #6 05-26-2017, 07:57 PM

Diesel899
The best we can do with the year of manufacture is that it was made sometime between 1922 and 1930. The Made in USA was added in 1922 and the cartridge designation changed to 32-20 CTG that same year. Production stopped in either late 1929 or early 1930.

Serial number 127612 shipped in May, 1927. But that means exactly nothing relative to yours, for reasons already stated by others.

And yes, your example is wearing aftermarket nickel plating.

Diesel899 · #7 05-26-2017, 09:10 PM

Thank you for the replies. I would have never known it was refinished. It must have happened early in its life, my father-in-law owned it from the late 30's to early 40's. I don't know if he ever shot it. I know now that if I shoot it occasionally it won't hurt it's value. It had plastic grips that didn't fit right when I got it. I put Pachmayr grips on it that are very comfortable but don't look right (IMHO).
I should have a couple of days of casual reading in the linked 32-20 thread. There is a lot of info and pictures to look through.

JP@AK · #8 05-26-2017, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel899

Thank you for the replies.

It had plastic grips that didn't fit right when I got it. I put Pachmayr grips on it that are very comfortable but don't look right

The Pachmayr stocks are fine for shooting. I agree they look odd, but you don't own a gun like that for showing off anyway.

In case you are interested, here's what the originals would look like (this one is from 1926, although it's a .38 Special).

Alk8944 · #9 05-27-2017, 01:08 AM

Diesel899,

Where did the SN 136484 you originally posted come from? If it was from the butt that is the legal SN, but the number on the cylinder is 114xxx, can't read the last 3. The difference in numbers indicates this is a parts gun, those numbers should match! The 114xxx is from early 1923, while the 136484 dates to 1927. Guns of this period have the SN in these locations, all should match: Butt, bottom barrel flat, back of cylinder, back of yoke facing cylinder, back of extractor facing the cylinder, and inside right stock. If any do not match the others it is a parts gun.

Refinish? Here are the things that really stand out on your gun: Extractor, should be blue no matter the finish on the gun's exterior. Hammer and trigger are always color case hardened, again regardless of finish. Knurling on the extractor rod is nearly polished off, this is a sign of an inexperienced polisher. Taken together these all definitely indicate an after-market plating job, definitely not factory. None of these affect the gun for being a shooter! Enjoy it.