32-20 Hand Ejector age?

DeplorabusUnum · #1 05-17-2020, 04:01 PM

I've had this old revolver for a long time and always wondered what it's approximate production date was. I know it's old. It's really a nice pistol. Fun to shoot, and accurate.

There is no model #. Serial # is 16###. I've added a picture of the gun, and the stamp on the barrel. If anyone can help with the production date of this pistol, I would love to know. Thanks!

Box

Box

22hipower · #2 05-17-2020, 04:11 PM

Closest one I have is 12919 which I show as 1904. Someone will likely be along soon to provide a closer date. Nice old gun, I do like to shoot the old 32-20s every once in awhile. By the way, welcome to the Forum.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

delcrossv · #3 05-17-2020, 04:11 PM

it's a Model of 1902 1st change made between 1903 and 1905. Looks like a nice one!
The grips are aftermarket.

Mine s/n 13xxx shipped in '05

DeplorabusUnum · #4 05-17-2020, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 22hipower

Closest one I have is 12919 which I show as 1904. Someone will likely be along soon to provide a closer date. Nice old gun, I do like to shoot the old 32-20s every once in awhile. By the way, welcome to the Forum.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Jeff, Holy cow that was fast. Thanks for the information and the welcome!

DeplorabusUnum · #5 05-17-2020, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delcrossv

it's a Model of 1902 1st change made between 1903 and 1905. Looks like a nice one!
The grips are aftermarket.

Mine s/n 13xxx shipped in '05

Thanks for getting back so quickly. It seems remarkable to me that this little gun is so old yet still functions so perfectly.

Babysitr · #6 05-17-2020, 04:31 PM

Old, still functions perfect..that's part of the magic! welcome

delcrossv · #7 05-17-2020, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeplorabusUnum

Thanks for getting back so quickly. It seems remarkable to me that this little gun is so old yet still functions so perfectly.

I'm not. Properly maintained, S&W's are built to last in a way the world has pretty much forgotten. Keep her cleaned and lubricated and your grandkids will be shooting her.

glowe · #8 05-17-2020, 04:48 PM

It has a nice nickel finish that looks like it could well be original, meaning that the gun has been well cared for and not abused in any way. The pearl stocks are not factory, since they do not have the S&W gold medallions of the time the gun was made. Many hard rubber and walnut stocks were changed out by distributors to fill orders. They were usually thinner than factory stocks, since Mother-of-Pearl was difficult and expensive to find with the proper thickness required by the factory. It required very large mollusk shells. Actually the end of factory pearl stocks were said to be because of the lack of quality MOP in the thickness specified by S&W.

DeplorabusUnum · #9 05-17-2020, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

It has a nice nickel finish that looks like it could well be original, meaning that the gun has been well cared for and not abused in any way. The pearl stocks are not factory, since they do not have the S&W gold medallions of the time the gun was made. Many hard rubber and walnut stocks were changed out by distributors to fill orders. They were usually thinner than factory stocks, since Mother-of-Pearl was difficult and expensive to find with the proper thickness required by the factory. It required very large mollusk shells. Actually the end of factory pearl stocks were said to be because of the lack of quality MOP in the thickness specified by S&W.

Interesting! I actually wish the grips were a little bigger. As is, they're pretty small and slick.