I got this 32-20 revolver today.

I read the sticky, so this is what I need to say first:

Hand ejector, very worn nickel plate
Serial number 110XX, on butt, cylinder, inside ejector and scribed inside right grip.
There are no other numbers (like patent dates) anywhere I can find.
32 Winchester Ctg (that’s a 32-20, right?)
4” barrel
Fixed sights
Strain screw present, four screw side plate

It's a shooter not a shower, so I plan to find some brass (Starline?) and make light loads probably in the range of 4 g of Bullseye. Advice welcomed to favorite loads.

As you can see in the pictures, the right grip is broken. I'd like to find some reproduction grips or maybe another to replace it. Again, advice welcome to a source.

I'm hoping one of you kind folks can help me narrow down the model, series and age. I'd imagine early 1900s, but honestly don't know.

Thanks and best regards to all…

…James

Attached Images

	IMG_20180621_221031016_LL.jpg (117.2 KB, 99 views)
	IMG_20180621_221004453_LL.jpg (152.7 KB, 75 views)

You’ve got a .32-20 (at the time .32 Winchester) Model 1902 Hand Ejector, a fairly early 1st Change (that started at #9812) from probably 1903/04.

Yes, that is a .32-20. It is a model of 1902-1st Change, built between 1903-05.

Check out this company. I believe the .38 Hand Ejector model will fit your .32-20. Your .32-20 is a round butt K frame.

You searched for S & W - Page 2 of 28 - Vintage Gun Grips - Reproduction Pistol Grips, Buttplates and Grip Caps.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

For some reason I can't edit my post. Go to page three and look at the round butt grips for the .38 special. Those should fit your .32-20.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I don't know the difference between a model of 1902, and what changes were made, but you guys came through fast!

I'll check out the reproduction grips, thanks!

Thanks and best regards...

...James

James

Both Absalom and Muley Gil correctly identified your revolver. It is a Model of 1902, produced in the 1903-04 period.

The first change after 1902 involved the diameter of the barrel threads. It was implemented in 1903. I'll post a photo below of a Model of 1902 .32 Winchester revolver that does not have this change, and you can compare it with yours. Yours has a flare at the breach end of the barrel where it mates to the frame. The one in my photo does not.

At the time your revolver was made, S&W used 32 Winchester CTG to designate the .32-20 cartridge. In about 1913-14, they changed the marking to 32 W.C.F. CTG.

That is surprising because I can see the patent dates on the right side of the barrel in your first picture. I can't read them, but they are obviously there.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I'll get out my head mounted magnifier tomorrow and look at that barrel again.

Thanks for explaining (and showing) the difference!

Best...

...James

Used grips can be found on Ebay in fact there is a group of Smith and Wesson grips on there right now that would fit the bill, and will look better than repos...

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Randy

Ok if you want to put reproduction or even original grips on it that's ok and I understand ,but these old guns look some kind of cool to me with a nice set of stags .Now my old finish challenged 32/20 is a square butt K frame and I got a set of Patrick Grashorn stags on it and they look and handle great . I highly recommend him if you like stag works of art . Either way I think you will like that old revolver and the32/20 cartridge at least I enjoy mine . Let us know how it shoots and what kind of loads you work up .

I put post war Magnas on mine because I don't like the look of the old Service Stocks and these are more comfortable for shooting.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

I load 2.7 G of bullseye excellent load for my three 32-20

Thanks, Bill...

I'll probably start out with 2.7 and work my way up from there. I put 3 to 3.5 behind a 148 gr wadcutter in my 38s. How heavy a bullet are you shooting?

Regards...

...James

My wife's kitchen gun is a 4" 4th change 32-20, it lives in the same drawer as the foil, kitchen wrap, etc. away from those sharp cutting edges for sure. She loves it and likes to tell her girlfriends that it "will shoot plumb through a man." I think the 32-20 is a neat little cartridge, I also own a '92 Winchester in the same caliber but have it loaded much hotter. I keep the pistol loads in green containers and the rifle in red. You can still find factory Remington 100 gr. cartridges for sale, the Winchester is a little rarer but still shows up, they are safe to shoot in your early revolver. Pawn shops are good places to find factory loaded cartridges, at least around here...expect to pay a premium. My pet load for the kitchen gun is 8.5gr: 5744 over a 115gr Meister RNFP out of that short barrel it was scooting around 1000fps, was loud as hell and very accurate at kitchen ranges. I had a load for those little Hornady 85gr. JHP with 7.5gr of Lil-Gun that moved at about the same speed but did not deliver better accuracy. My wife liked the Meister bullets better, those little 85gr Hornady's work great on varmints in the '92 out to 100yds.

"Pawn shops are good places to find factory loaded cartridges, at least around here...expect to pay a premium."

There was a small pawn shop in the city where I was a badge toter. They catered to the less affluent and would sell you a few cartridges at a time.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I use a 313dia. 120 grain r.n. 2.7 bullseye all three excellent at 25yds Bill

Back in 1975 I worked with a much older Deputy who carried a S&W revolver during the day and a 1911 at night. Both were nickle and each had rattle snake skin covered holster and he wore a rattle snake skin covered gunbelt. He didn't have anything else on the belt, no ammo or magazines or handcuffs. One day I asked him what kind of S&W he was carrying and he said a 32-20. I asked him why he carried a 32-20 and he said it shot real good, hit plenty hard and he could hit a soda can 100 yards away just about every time. I said "If its so good, why do you carry the 45 at night?" He said "You can't see a soda can 100 yards away at night". He passed away in 1977.

Hey, Jack...

I finally got out my magnifiers (cheaters for us old guys).

The right side of the barrel reads:
SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A
PAT’D APRIL 9, (89 or 92). MARCH 27, 94. MAY 21, 95. JULY (16 or 18), 95.
AUG. 4, 95. DEC. (22 or 29), 96. OCT. 4, 98. OCT. 8. 01. DEC. 17, 01.
Bracketed by what looks like an elongated Maltese cross.

I feel silly for not seeing it the first time, but it is what it is.

Thanks for pointing it out for me.

Best regards...

...James