May I have assistance in estimating the age of these Pistols.

WRA · #1 06-26-2018, 03:45 PM

My wife just inherited 3 Smith and Wesson revolvers.

Two are 32-20's with serial #22609 and 68237.
One is 44 special with serial # 14861.

Is there away to tell the age of these guns?

Thanks again.

crsides · #2 06-26-2018, 03:54 PM

the 44 would be in the 1915 era, give or take a yr or two.

glowe · #3 06-26-2018, 04:00 PM

First off, we like pictures. Your 32-20 revolvers would have shipped the following years:

22609 32-20 HE, 1st Change shipped around 1906
68237 32-20 HE, 4th Change shipped around 1917

14861 44 HE 1st Model should be a Triple Lock and would have shipped around 1916. That Triple Lock would have likely been manufactures the last year of production - 1915.

Wiregrassguy · #4 06-26-2018, 04:06 PM

The 32-20' s were made in 1906 and 1915 respectively. As Charlie says the 44 was made in 1915.

Guy

gmborkovic · #5 06-26-2018, 04:08 PM

Hello Bob, and you are a new guy and welcome. Mfg. dates are not available. But ship dates are. Some 32-20s were not shipped until the 40s
but were made in the teens. Just spring for a Jinks Letter for a ship date

KEN L · #6 06-26-2018, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

First off, we like pictures. Your 32-20 revolvers would have shipped the following years:

22609 32-20 HE, 1st Change shipped around 1906
68237 32-20 HE, 4th Change shipped around 1917

14861 44 HE 1st Model should be a Triple Lock and would have shipped around 1916. That Triple Lock would have likely been manufactures the last year of production - 1915.

I'm thinking last quarter of 1917.

Muley Gil · #7 06-26-2018, 04:23 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

Your wife has inherited some fine revolvers. Both .32-20s and .44 Specials are fun to shoot.

Please post pictures.

WRA · #8 06-26-2018, 04:46 PM

You guys are great!
The oldest 32-20 is in rough condition but the other one is in better shape with pearl handles.
The .44 is in fine condition also and with pearl handles.
I will post some photos shortly.
Thank you all for your help.

NovaJoe · #9 06-27-2018, 05:59 PM

Hi Bob, you did not ask about value. The .44 Triple Lock could be quite valuable.

WRA · #10 06-30-2018, 11:14 AM

Shared album - Bob Atchison - Google Photos

Shared album - Bob Atchison - Google Photos

Shared album - Bob Atchison - Google Photos

I need help posting photos!!!

glowe · #11 06-30-2018, 04:42 PM

The first one is quite worn and may have been lightly cleaned to expose bright steel and not much nickel. Pearl stocks are not factory original. Maybe $275 at auction.

The second is heavily cleaned and buffed, also with after market pearls. My guess is less than $250?

That third one is not a Triple Lock. The barrel has been cut and it may be a 45 ACP Model 1917?? Is that a caliber stamped on the barrel? If it is a Model 1917 with a cut barrel and lots of wear, could be worth under $500.

Nothing cast in stone, but at least those are my best guesses.

Hondo44 · #12 06-30-2018, 05:23 PM

The 2nd photo is the N frame, a 2nd Model 44 with a serial # in the Triple Lock range, not unheard of. It's been re-nickel plated including hammer and trigger.

Shared album - Bob Atchison - Google Photos

glowe · #13 06-30-2018, 05:33 PM

I just assumed the order would be the same as the original listing. So much for thinking . . .

Hondo44 · #14 06-30-2018, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

That third [2nd] one is not a Triple Lock. The barrel has been cut and it may be a 45 ACP Model 1917?? Is that a caliber stamped on the barrel? If it is a Model 1917 with a cut barrel and lots of wear, could be worth under $500.

Nothing cast in stone, but at least those are my best guesses.

Gary,

What leads you to believe the barrel has been cut?

steelslaver · #15 06-30-2018, 06:37 PM

I thought the same thing( (barrel chopped). It may be the angle of the photo but, the muzzle appears very square and no sight is visible.

Hondo44 · #16 06-30-2018, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelslaver

I thought the same thing( (barrel chopped). It may be the angle of the photo but, the muzzle appears very square and no sight is visible.

That's the K frame, no finish. I agree on that one.

Shared album - Bob Atchison - Google Photos

glowe · #17 06-30-2018, 09:18 PM

Just as Steelslaver says, no front sight, flat muzzle, and looks too short for a 4” barrel.

Hondo44 · #18 07-01-2018, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

That third [2nd] one is not a Triple Lock. The barrel has been cut and it may be a 45 ACP Model 1917?? Is that a caliber stamped on the barrel? If it is a Model 1917 with a cut barrel and lots of wear, could be worth under $500.

Nothing cast in stone, but at least those are my best guesses.

Yes I agree on the K frame. The above quote sounded like you were referring to the N frame non-triple lock.

glowe · #19 07-01-2018, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Yes I agree on the K frame. The above quote sounded like you were referring to the N frame non-triple lock.

As I said in post #13, I ran the photos in the same order as the OP's original post, the two K frames and the N frame was listed last. Apparently they are not in the same order, but I am still having problems picking out the N frame without any size reference. The third photo with the cut barrel looks to have a larger barrel than the first two, but can't tell for certain and the photos are not identified?

Wiregrassguy · #20 07-01-2018, 09:59 AM

Here's what I see. The 1st picture with the chipped right pearl panel is a 32-20 from the height of the front sight as compared to the 2nd. The 2nd picture is the .44. The last picture is the other .32-20 because it does not have pearls as the OP previously stated. It has had a barrel chop. I think that pretty much agrees with Jim's conclusions.

WRA · #21 07-01-2018, 10:27 AM

The markings on the barrel of gun : 32 WINCHESTER OTG

Wiregrassguy · #22 07-01-2018, 11:36 AM

32 Winchester CTG = 32 WCF (Winchester Center Fire) CTG = .32-20 CTG
CTG = Cartridge

S&W identified what cartridge the .32 M&P chambered at different periods of the gun's production. So, all the above stamps are found on their barrels.

Hondo44 · #23 07-01-2018, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

As I said in post #13, I ran the photos in the same order as the OP's original post, the two K frames and the N frame was listed last. Apparently they are not in the same order, but I am still having problems picking out the N frame without any size reference. The third photo with the cut barrel looks to have a larger barrel than the first two, but can't tell for certain and the photos are not identified?

Yes, it's difficult to pick out an N frame with no scale unless you look for the 3/4" high flat area at the top of yoke on left side and the same place on the right side.

K frames do not have the flat area:
Shared album - Bob Atchison - Google Photos