I just purchased a S & W 32Win from gun shop. SN is#275xx. The gun is about 75% with excellent function. Price was a bargain so it found a new home. Question is what have I purchased? Seems to be size of K frame, 4" Bbl, sq butt, wood grips with no logo.

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a .32 Winchester Military & Police, built between 1906-1909. These were also known as the Model of 1905, 1st change. The .32 Winchester cartridge is better known as the .32-20 and as the .32 WCF. I have had one or more of these since 1975. They shoot flatter than a .38 special and are usually louder as well.

Can you post pictures? There were two types of grips without medallions. Yours should have concave tops. The ones made in the '20s have a convex top.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Love to post picture, but do not have tech skills.

The grips have concave circular top.

Based on my SN list, I'd say it is most likely yours shipped in 1907. It would have been called a Model of 1905 as it has a square butt. Period correct grips would be the round-top checkered wood style with a slightly concave depression on the round top. No S&W medallions on them. One problem is that .32-20 ammo is somewhat difficult to find, and is generally expensive if you do find any. All .32-20 ammunition sold today (it is still loaded) will be safe to use in your revolver. The .32-20 chambering was discontinued by S&W around 1930. Those chambered in .38 Special were far more popular than those in .32-20. Note that .32-20 K-frames were separately serial numbered from those in .38 Special. So somewhere, there may be another K-frame in .38 Special having the same SN.

Thanks for the info. Any guess as to worth. I paid $210.00 for it.

Even in less than top condition, it was worth that much.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

If you have a picture downloaded on your computer, go to the "Go Advanced" button and clink on that. Scroll down to the "Manage Attachments" button and click on that. Then just follow the prompts.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Despite the relative scarcity of .32-20 S&Ws, that does not translate into much of a value premium over one of the same condition in .38 Special. Condition is really the determining factor in valuation. Today, most common K-frames in operable but well-used condition won't sell for much less than $250, and go up from there. If yours is indeed in 75% original condition, you won't lose anything on your purchase. BTW, if you plan to shoot it much, you might consider taking up reloading. Cases and bullets (usually 0.312") are more readily available and much cheaper than loaded ammunition. Most fans of .32-20 rifles and revolvers (Colt also made a variety of .32-20 revolvers) who shoot them will roll their own ammunition.

My wife's kitchen pistol. 4th change M&P 32-20 4".

Good score at $210! You can find ammo for it online fairly easy and if you do not plan to shoot a lot then 3 boxes of 50 will last you a long time. In my mind it is also a great home defense cartridge. I have had a scare before and mine from 1919 was the gun I loaded up to go "clear" the area. It is a snappy and very fun cartridge t shoot for sure.