Hi Guys,
Having built custom K-frames for 30 odd years I always fancied having a really early one. In the UK they are pretty rare, but one came up and I just bought it on a whim. It's a 6 1/2" first model in 32-20. Serial number is 90, which I would think makes it pretty early!
My question is, can I shoot modern 100g Lead ammunition like Winchester in it?

I have shot modern ammo through my 1899 .32-20. As long as the revolver is in good condition, it should be safe.

Don't forget to add pictures. We LOVE pictures!

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I agree. The .32-20 has thicker chamber walls than the .38 M&P. I would not shoot the copper jacketed ammunition, which was intended for use in rifles. Nice very early number.

Bob

At least in the USA, the high velocity ammunition intended for rifles has not been made for the last 50 years. All of it had an 80 grain jacketed hollow point bullet, so it is easily recognized. There is no safety hazard in using any modern lead-bulleted .32-20 ammunition. I have no idea if .32-20 ammunition is available in the UK, but even in the USA it is not the easiest to locate, even though it is still loaded.

While you did not describe your revolver, if it is a S&W, it would be a very early Model of 1899 from that SN. Colt also made several different models of .32-20 revolvers. BTW, the early S&W 1899s have "32 Winchester" stamped on the barrel.

Hi, here are some photos.
It was originally Nickel plated, but most of that has gone.
It's not in beautiful condition and the grips look like repro. (anybody know where to get originals grips?)

Attached Images

	1899 1st Model -5.jpg (136.2 KB, 78 views)
	1899 1st Model -7.jpg (137.8 KB, 84 views)
	1899 1st Model -8.jpg (65.3 KB, 75 views)
	1899 1st Model -10.jpg (117.3 KB, 72 views)

Those grips look correct to me. Is the gun SN scratched into the back of the right grip panel?

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

From the condition of your grips at the butt, in the SN photo, those are original hard rubber S&W stocks. This is not to say they are original to your revolver necessarily. If you look at the back of them there is probably cracking around the screw holes as a result of over-tightening the screw in the past.

Reproductions are cast from a urethane compound and don't show the incipient cracking and peeling yours do. Looking at the inside the areas that have not been ground will be glossy, where originals will be dull.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

The grips have been ground as you say, and have a slightly grainy satin finish. There is no serial number on the back.
If they look right then I will leave them alone. I'm not a real collector as such, I just thought it was an interesting gun to own as a compliment to my custom K-frames.
Is it rare to find one with a serial number this low?

They don't show up every day, that's for sure!

Finding a nice Model of 1899 is a treat at any time, especially one in decent shape with original stocks and the extractor knob still present. Good going!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Yeah, what ^he said . I've never seen an 1899 in person, much less one with that low a number. It's remarkable one shows up in the UK.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

A nice 1899 for sure and yes finding one in that shape with that low a serial number is unusual. I have been wondering which came first the ones that were in 32-20 or the 38 special ones as they are in separate serial number blocks.

Thanks guys,
I'll look after it.
When they banned handguns over here in 1997 almost all of the legally owned ones went to the crusher, but of course the unregistered and illegally held ones just went into the loft.
Most of them dated from before the 1968 firearms act. We get quite a few float up in deceased estates. I get quite a number come in for repair or preparation for proof before they can be sold, as I'm one of the only pistolsmiths left!

And that's what will happen here if the libs get their way about things. I even bet there is a rehearsed statement like "oh that old thing? I thought it was long gone years ago."

I can even predict a thread here about it, recommending we box the guns and carefully find a box earlier than the gun, along with a box or two of early ammo.

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Dick Burg

If there is a caliber stamp on the barrel, I don't see in in your pictures. Am I missing it? My understanding of 1899s is that those in .32-20 from the beginning always had a "32 Winchester" caliber stamp on the barrel, while those in .38 Special did not have a caliber stamping until around SN 7000. It is important that this one has the extractor rod knob. They are often found missing, and original replacement knobs are essentially impossible to locate.