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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 05-08-2018, 03:01 AM
Frank46 Frank46 is offline
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What was the latest S&W revolver chamber for the 32-20 cartridge. Frank
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Old 05-08-2018, 03:36 AM
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There was only one in regular production, the .32-20 Military & Police. They were sold up until the beginning of WW II, but rumor has it these were leftovers from the end of production, sometime in the early 1930s.
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Old 05-08-2018, 09:53 AM
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There were also some .32-20 M&P target models made. I believe that it is possible that after S&W's production of the .32-20 M&Ps stopped around 1930, some limited runs of those revolvers were occasionally assembled for sale afterward to use up components remaining in inventory. Allegedly, one .32-20 M&P shipped in 1965. Colt offered a considerably wider range of revolvers chambered in .32-20, and continued making them until the post-WWII period. Back in the post-WWI period, .32-20 revolvers from Spain were very common in the USA. And many of them looked very similar to the S&W M&P.

I for one would like to see the .32-20 caliber revolver make a comeback. But I probably won't live to see it.

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Old 05-08-2018, 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Frank46 View Post
What was the latest S&W revolver chamber for the 32-20 cartridge. Frank
The Model of 1905, 4th Change was the last.
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Old 05-08-2018, 10:51 AM
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There were also some .32-20 M&P target models made. I believe that it is possible that after S&W's production of the .32-20 M&Ps stopped around 1930, some limited runs of those revolvers were occasionally assembled for sale afterward to use up components remaining in inventory. Allegedly, one .32-20 M&P shipped in 1965. Colt offered a considerably wider range of revolvers chambered in .32-20, and continued making them until the post-WWII period. Back in the post-WWI period, .32-20 revolvers from Spain were very common in the USA. And many of them looked very similar to the S&W M&P.

I for one would like to see the .32-20 caliber revolver make a comeback. But I probably won't live to see it.
Colt made some SAAs in .32-20 a few years back. I have a Cimarron (Uberti) Model P Jr (think 7/8 scale SAA) in .32-20/.32 H&R Magnum. Also had a full size Uberti .32-20. Of course, there are no new double action .32-20s. But if you like single actions, they are out there.

I'm still looking for a rolling block in .32-20. I may have to build one.
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Old 05-08-2018, 12:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank46 View Post
What was the latest S&W revolver chamber for the 32-20 cartridge.
The highest serial number was 144684. Production stopped in 1929-30. The highest number may not have been the last one assembled, however.

Quote:
Allegedly, one .32-20 M&P shipped in 1965.
Serial number 141611. It must have been in the back of the vault where no one could find it!

There are, of course, other possible explanations.
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Old 05-08-2018, 12:20 PM
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I'm still looking for a rolling block in .32-20. I may have to build one.
Muley
A prominent member of WACA told me the Winchester Model 1885 (low wall) was chambered for the .32-20 in higher numbers than for any other cartridge. So there should be tons of them out there. Some of them are probably seeking a new owner.
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Old 05-08-2018, 03:32 PM
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More of the Colt Bisley SA models were chambered in .32-20 than in any other caliber. As the Bisley was considered primarily a target model, I suppose many shooters believed that the .32-20 was an excellent cartridge choice for competitive shooting and offered much less recoil than the same gun in heavier calibers. If one has never handled a Bisley, the difference in how it feels in the hand vs the regular SAA is like night and day. It's easy to understand its popularity among target shooters, even though its appearance is a little strange.
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Old 05-08-2018, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by cgt4570 View Post
The Model of 1905, 4th Change was the last.
I have one of those in 32-20, one of the most fun guns to shoot that I own.
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Old 05-08-2018, 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Muley Gil View Post
. . .

I'm still looking for a rolling block in .32-20. I may have to build one.
Don't overlook the many nice 1892 Winchesters chambered in this fine caliber.



Curl
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Old 05-08-2018, 05:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK View Post
Muley
A prominent member of WACA told me the Winchester Model 1885 (low wall) was chambered for the .32-20 in higher numbers than for any other cartridge. So there should be tons of them out there. Some of them are probably seeking a new owner.
Thanks, but the 1885 Winchester is a falling block, not a rolling block.

Cpt Curl, thanks, but I have had an 1892 and a Marlin CL 1894. My first centerfire rifle was a .43 Spanish rolling block. I have a Remington No. 4 .22 Long Rifle and a Uberti .357 rolling block. I also have a Martini Cadet re-chambered to .32-20.

Still want a RB in .32-20.
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Old 05-08-2018, 06:22 PM
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Thanks, but the 1885 Winchester is a falling block, not a rolling block.
Very true. I thought about mentioning that, but I figured you would know. My point was only that elderly single shot rifles chambered for the .32 W.C.F. are not too scarce. But if you insist on a Remington or other rolling block over the extremely fine Model 1885, your search parameters will definitely shrink.
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Old 05-09-2018, 12:48 AM
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Funny that one of the members should mention the Winchester low wall as being one of the most or more chambered for the 32-20. I have a low wall that was originally chambered for the 25-20 single shot cartridge. but the bore has seen better days. Undecided as to getting a liner installed for the 25-20 repeater cartridge or the 32-20. Have a martini cadet with another toasted barrel and would love to get it relined in 32-20. Then again been looking for a nice S&W revolver in 32-20 as well, hence my post. As you can see I also like the old single shot rifles. Many thanks for all your information, suggestions and comments. Like the one regarding the Winchester 1892 also in 32-20. Thanks again. Frank
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Old 05-09-2018, 01:16 AM
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There were lots of different .32-20 rifles in various action types - lever, slide, bolt, and single shot, by Savage, Colt, Remington, Winchester, and Marlin. I don't think I have heard of a .32-20 semiauto but there may be one somewhere. Probably the best of the bunch is the Winchester Model 43 bolt action, but finding one chambered in .32-20 will be difficult. Most were made in .22 Hornet and .218 Bee.
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Old 05-09-2018, 05:34 AM
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My BSA Martini Cadet, still in its original .310 Greener chamber, is a jewel to shoot. I recently posted it here: BSA Martini .310 Cadet





Curl
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Old 05-09-2018, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
More of the Colt Bisley SA models were chambered in .32-20 than in any other caliber. As the Bisley was considered primarily a target model, I suppose many shooters believed that the .32-20 was an excellent cartridge choice for competitive shooting and offered much less recoil than the same gun in heavier calibers. If one has never handled a Bisley, the difference in how it feels in the hand vs the regular SAA is like night and day. It's easy to understand its popularity among target shooters, even though its appearance is a little strange.
I have two first gen Bisley's and a SAA in .32-20. They're all from the first decade of the 20th century.
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Old 05-09-2018, 08:53 AM
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S&W .32-20

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Old 05-09-2018, 09:30 AM
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I have never seen a documented 32-20 that shipped after WWII. One would think that if such a gun existed, it would have been documented in the SWCA database, but none there?? Would love to see one.

The 32-20 fell from grace in the mid-1920s for S&W, probably due to popularity and superior 38 Special cartridge. This is probably why production stopped soon after.
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File Type: jpg 32-20 Shipped.jpg (51.6 KB, 31 views)
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Old 05-09-2018, 09:55 AM
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32-20 Ammo for Colt Revolver
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Old 05-09-2018, 12:16 PM
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Quote:
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I have never seen a documented 32-20 that shipped after WWII. One would think that if such a gun existed, it would have been documented in the SWCA database, but none there?? Would love to see one.

The 32-20 fell from grace in the mid-1920s for S&W, probably due to popularity and superior 38 Special cartridge. This is probably why production stopped soon after.
Aside from SN 141611 (1965) previously mentioned, the latest .32-20 M&P I have listed was shipped in 8/1938. Not to say that there were none shipped later than that, but just that I have none on my list. I sort of remember reading about one which shipped in the late 1940s but I have no details in support of that.
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Old 05-09-2018, 04:03 PM
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A friend of mine down in Alabama has a .32-20 S&W that is in the 1446xx range. He has a letter on his and I seem to remember it being shipped in 1939. I'll try and get him to send me a copy of his letter.
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Old 05-09-2018, 05:33 PM
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Very true. I thought about mentioning that, but I figured you would know. My point was only that elderly single shot rifles chambered for the .32 W.C.F. are not too scarce. But if you insist on a Remington or other rolling block over the extremely fine Model 1885, your search parameters will definitely shrink.

I think .32 WCF is the .32 Winchester, much like a .30-30. I think this was a typing error. You are so knowledgeable about guns that I think you just had a momentary lapse while typing. ?? Or, am I in error about the .32's?

Muley Gil also called Cpt. Curl, Cpl. Curl. Tsk, tsk...I doubt he'd appreciate the demotion. And he couldn't afford his many fine guns on a corporal's pay!

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Old 05-09-2018, 05:39 PM
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I bought a 1st change 32-20 S&W to go with my Winchester 92. Its a great little cartridge, a little tender at the mouth...maybe worse than the 44-40 due to its smaller opening. You learn to be a little careful after you crush a few slammin and bang'em.
I keep my rifle cartridges in red boxes and pistol in green, you shouldn't push the pistol cartridges as fast as you can the rifle.
I've got a rolling block .357 Uberti that would make a decent conversion, I'm currently having too much fun with .357/38 to make the change to 32-20. 32-20 can be pushed to M1 carbine velocities and similarly will "shoot plumb through a man".
Rural Southern L.E. types that had to purchase their own firearms liked the 32-20, I often wondered if ole Barney Fife carried a 32-20. The first model I picked up looked like a Barney type used it bang up wanted posters, either that or a shop keeper used it as a hammer to pound in tacks.
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Old 05-09-2018, 06:48 PM
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"I think .32 WCF is the .32 Winchester, much like a .30-30."

.32 W.C.F. is another name for the .32-20. The rifle cartridge somewhat like the .30-30 is the .32 Winchester Special. There was also a .32 Winchester Self-Loading (WSL). But that was another cartridge made for the Winchester M1905 semiauto rifle. And it was also the inspiration for the .30 Carbine round. The .32 WSL is similar in size and appearance to the .32-20, but the two are not interchangeable.

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Old 05-09-2018, 07:20 PM
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"Muley Gil also called Cpt. Curl, Cpl. Curl. Tsk, tsk...I doubt he'd appreciate the demotion. And he couldn't afford his many fine guns on a corporal's pay!"

I sure did! By mistake, of course. I went back corrected my error. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

DWalt is correct about the .32 WCF and the .32 Winchester Special cartridges.

BTW, the "C" on a lot of the old ammo boxes read "Winchester Central Fire".
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Old 05-09-2018, 08:00 PM
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DWalt is correct about the .32 WCF and the .32 Winchester Special cartridges.
He is. .32 W.C.F. was Winchester's name for the .32-20 and it appears on S&W revolvers chambered for the .32-20 and made from about late 1913 until mid-year 1922.

Winchester indicated the .32 Winchester Special with the letters WS.

Quote:
BTW, the "C" on a lot of the old ammo boxes read "Winchester Central Fire".
Yes. I've seen that. Weird.
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Old 05-09-2018, 08:16 PM
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Central Fire was the standard industry terminology until just after WWI, when the ammunition catalogs started using Center Fire instead. I don't see what difference it made, means the same thing.
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Old 05-10-2018, 02:38 PM
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Being the bunch of rebels we all are Winchester probably knew we'd be cuttin central down to center just cuz its easier to say. A local fire district might be named "Central Fire District", everybody calls it "Center Fire", or "Center Far".
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Old 05-11-2018, 05:57 AM
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The .32 W.C.F. is the .32-20.

Here's what Winchester calls it on the barrel of my Model 1892 shown above:






On the other hand, S&W simply calls it the ".32 Winchester" (followed by "CTG", of course).





These photos are from the thread I posted here: A Couple of .32-20s at the Range Today

Curl

And oh, by the way, the "Cpt." part has nothing to do with military service. It was a moniker hung on me many years ago by a close friend and had to do with a motorboat I had at the time. So Cpl. Curl wouldn't really be a demotion - it just wouldn't fit the situation of a curly headed guy with his first (and last) motorboat. The boat is long gone, but the moniker stuck like tar.

Back then there were lots of snide comments about "three hour tours" and all that.

I posted a detailed explanation some years back.

Curl

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Old 05-11-2018, 01:20 PM
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On the other hand, S&W simply calls it the ".32 Winchester" (followed by "CTG", of course).

Yes, but only until about 1913-14. At that time, they changed the roll stamp to read, 32 W.C.F. CTG. Then, in 1922, it changed again, this time to 32-20 CTG. That lasted until the end of production in c. 1929.

Here is one (a target model) that shipped in March, 1904, with the earliest cartridge designation on it, like yours:


I have one in my safe that is labeled 32 W.C.F. CTG, but I have no photo of it.
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Old 05-11-2018, 03:19 PM
Texas Star Texas Star is offline
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The .32 W.C.F. is the .32-20.

Here's what Winchester calls it on the barrel of my Model 1892 shown above:






On the other hand, S&W simply calls it the ".32 Winchester" (followed by "CTG", of course).





These photos are from the thread I posted here: A Couple of .32-20s at the Range Today

Curl

And oh, by the way, the "Cpt." part has nothing to do with military service. It was a moniker hung on me many years ago by a close friend and had to do with a motorboat I had at the time. So Cpl. Curl wouldn't really be a demotion - it just wouldn't fit the situation of a curly headed guy with his first (and last) motorboat. The boat is long gone, but the moniker stuck like tar.

Back then there were lots of snide comments about "three hour tours" and all that.

I posted a detailed explanation some years back.

Curl
Thanks for the explanation. At least, he didn't call you Cpt. Bligh or Cpt. Kidd.

I found the W.C.F. interpretation interesting.
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Old 05-11-2018, 04:47 PM
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I found the W.C.F. interpretation interesting.
Yes. Keep in mind that the .32 W.C.F. (AKA .32-20) was introduced for the Winchester Model 1873 in 1881. That is about 20 years before Winchester introduced the .32 Winchester Special cartridge for use in the the Model 1894. So the .32 W.C.F. designation was not available, while the W.C.F. designation could be applied to the .30 caliber cartridge that came out a few years earlier (1895).
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Old 05-11-2018, 07:41 PM
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Thanks for the explanation. At least, he didn't call you Cpt. Bligh or Cpt. Kidd.

. . .
Well, he did call me "Captain Curly Hazelwood" and referred to my boat as the Exxon Valdez

But that was many years ago!

Curl
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