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09-13-2020, 12:39 AM
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Bought an old 32-20 S&W "Edited"
Bought an old S&W in 32 Winchester Cartridge(32-20). It is in only 75% or so condition with a 6 inch bbl. Gun has adjustable sights. serial on the butt,bbl and cylinder match. Serial is 450XX. Can anyone give me an idea of the model and approx time of production or shipping. Paid a bit too much but got a box and a half of old Winchester(yellow box)ammo. I just had to buy the darn thing. Stocks are wrong but the gun just needed a bit of loving. Will try to post a pic or two tomorrow. Oh what frame would this be??
I typed the wrong serial in this post last night...duh! Long day and I was whipped last night corrected serial is 4204X
Last edited by Skeet 028; 09-13-2020 at 02:07 PM.
Reason: Updating the serial number
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09-13-2020, 01:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeet 028
Bought an old S&W in 32 Winchester Cartridge(32-20). It is in only 75% or so condition with a 6 inch bbl. Gun has adjustable sights. serial on the butt,bbl and cylinder match. Serial is 450XX. Can anyone give me an idea of the model and approx time of production or shipping. Paid a bit too much but got a box and a half of old Winchester(yellow box)ammo. I just had to buy the darn thing. Stocks are wrong but the gun just needed a bit of loving. Will try to post a pic or two tomorrow. Oh what frame would this be??
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Not to be pedantic but any .32-20 S&W is going to be "an old one". If the adjustable sights are factory then you have an uncommon target model. The SCSW 4th Edition indicates that a serial of 450XX would be 1906-1907 and is considered a 1905 2nd model. It is a K frame.
Looking forward to pics! Would it be too forward to ask how much you paid for it?
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09-13-2020, 01:07 AM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeet 028
Bought an old S&W in 32 Winchester Cartridge(32-20). It is in only 75% or so condition with a 6 inch bbl. Gun has adjustable sights. serial on the butt,bbl and cylinder match. Serial is 450XX. Can anyone give me an idea of the model and approx time of production or shipping. ....
..... Oh what frame would this be??
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If the adjustable sights are factory, it’s a .32 Winchester M&P Target Model. That is a K-frame.
I think the serial puts it around 1909/10.
PS: Just saw Tom’s post. If that’s what the book indicates, it’s a bit off the data we have. The closest target model on record, in 1907, was a 30xxx-range serial; the data points are thin, but serials in the 40s didn’t ship until a bit later.
Last edited by Absalom; 09-13-2020 at 01:14 AM.
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09-13-2020, 01:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom K
Not to be pedantic but any .32-20 S&W is going to be "an old one". If the adjustable sights are factory then you have an uncommon target model. The SCSW 4th Edition indicates that a serial of 450XX would be 1906-1907 and is considered a 1905 2nd model. It is a K frame.
Looking forward to pics! Would it be too forward to ask how much you paid for it?
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Well I guess I should have bought the old blown up gun. It was a bit later in serial but had a decent set of stocks I could have put on this gun. The sights are original as far as I can tell. The rear sight is tiny compared to the later K frame sights for certain. Gun is pretty tight not loose. finish is about 75% or so. Still a little color to the hammer. and the trigger also. The fellow I got it from was selling it for an older man who told him his father carried it in Wyoming as a deputy sheriff...but you know how stories like that pan out. Not offended about asking te price. Paid $650. I made an offer on another S&W a 5906 and glad I didn't buy it. I do like revolvers much better. Didn't think this one was that early in last century. Thanks to both who have responded...so far anyway.. Wish I were a better photographer.. I'm pretty happy with this purchase. Had it sitting on my table at the show and a fellow came by who offered a pretty fair profit on it...but nah... I sold a bunch of primers, 9mm and 38 spec ammo and felt pretty flush. I even traded a box of Large rifle primers for a Mec 650 and enough components to load well over a 1000 shotshells...but only one bag of shot.
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09-13-2020, 09:06 AM
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These revolvers with 32 Winchester barrel stampings range from 1899 until 1913 and that was replaced by 32 W.C.F. in 1914 until 1922. From about 1922-23 until the end of production (1940) they were stamped 32-20.
I have a 32 Winchester, 3rd Change Target with serial number 47389 that shipped in early 1910. Pictures below so you can compare your target sights to make sure they are original. The sight blade in mine is a factory Lyman, but other style inserts were available. My second closest serial number is a 2nd Change like yours, earlier at 41509, that shipped in 1908 and is also pictured to show the type of top round concave style stocks in original pre-1910 guns. Of course, all target 1905s had a square butt.
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09-13-2020, 09:29 AM
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On my SN list is a .32 Target model, SN 45054 which shipped on 2/9/10. Yours should be right around that time.
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09-13-2020, 11:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
On my SN list is a .32 Target model, SN 45054 which shipped on 2/9/10. Yours should be right around that time.
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Don't have it right to hand...but only 12 or 13 digits difference...and this one isn't anywhere near as pretty as the one posted above
Last edited by Skeet 028; 09-13-2020 at 11:40 AM.
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09-13-2020, 12:15 PM
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Skeet, "I feel your pain". I bought a 6" 32/20 on the way out of a gun show a few years back myself. It's no safe queen and it had a box of cartridges to go with it. It is one of the most fun shooters I've ever owned.
Last edited by murf205; 09-13-2020 at 12:20 PM.
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09-13-2020, 12:23 PM
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Here is the pic of 32/20. It shoots 100gr cast bullets with Green Dot like a champ.
Last edited by murf205; 09-13-2020 at 12:25 PM.
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09-13-2020, 01:14 PM
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On your cast bullets, what circumference is the bullet? I have been told that factory loads had some variation. I have not been as pleased with accuracy from my 32/20 compared to my 32 Longs.
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09-13-2020, 02:25 PM
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Had to update the original post as I typed the wrong serial. It is 4204X. Posting my less than spectacular photos. Don't know who made the stocks on this one but they are done pretty well out of walnut except for the tops to make 'em look like targets of some later era, I guess. Doesn't really matter to me what it is worth or originality. Neat old revolver...especially when it is over a 100 years old You do know I have to shoot this ole piece. and I happen to have a bunch of lead 32 cal bullets. Gotta get a few more cases to load...
Last edited by Skeet 028; 09-13-2020 at 02:27 PM.
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09-13-2020, 02:33 PM
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I envy you guys your target models.
Mine is a fixed-sight-holster version and is post 1923 production. While it has perhaps only an 80% finish, it is perfect mechanically and the charge holes and bore look to be virtually new. It shoots to point of aim at 25 yards with 115 grain cast bullets sized to .312."
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09-13-2020, 02:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeet 028
Had to update the original post as I typed the wrong serial. It is 4204X. Posting my less than spectacular photos. Don't know who made the stocks on this one but they are done pretty well out of walnut except for the tops to make 'em look like targets of some later era, I guess. Doesn't really matter to me what it is worth or originality. Neat old revolver...especially when it is over a 100 years old You do know I have to shoot this ole piece. and I happen to have a bunch of lead 32 cal bullets. Gotta get a few more cases to load...
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You got yourself a beauty, and a target model to boot.
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09-13-2020, 04:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reccpd101
On your cast bullets, what circumference is the bullet? I have been told that factory loads had some variation. I have not been as pleased with accuracy from my 32/20 compared to my 32 Longs.
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The circumference is .983. However the diameter is .313. They are Magnus SWCBB 100 gr and they are pretty soft but they fit my cylinder throats with a pencil push fit and very light resistance. Remember that fit is THE key factor in revolver accuracy and leading problems. I have never been enamored with bevel base bullets but in my case, Magnus was the only option I had since I didn't have a mold. I had these on hand for my 32 Long and they fit and shoot just as well in my I frame 32.
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09-13-2020, 04:47 PM
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Skeet, you are very fortunate to find a target model indeed. A lot of the old fixed sight guns were holstered a lot or resided in a tackle box while the target models were owned by people who might have shot them a lot but also cleaned them afterward. That has been my experience at least. Those little 32's will get into your blood my friend. As my grandfather used to say, they don;t beller like an ox or kick like a mule!
Last edited by murf205; 09-13-2020 at 04:54 PM.
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09-13-2020, 05:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murf205
Skeet, you are very fortunate to find a target model indeed. Those little 32's will get into your blood my friend. As my grandfather used to say, they don;t beller like an ox or kick like a mule!
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I have to agree. I like shooting my 16-4 with 32 Longs as much as anything. Almost like shooting a 22. The bore and cylinders are clean on this gun. Hopefully I won't have to adjust sights too much on this....very small screw slots. I kinda think I did ok on this purchase. Only problem is now I have to go find a set of dies. I sold the old Savage 23 a couple or 3 years ago and sold a friend my dies. Have another friend with a set I can use. Maybe I can find another crazy person who wants my almost unused 44-40 dies on trade.
Went looking and found I have a lot more 313 and 314 Remington lead bullets in the old red boxes ...and a couple or 3 hundred 100 and 115 cast bullets for 32-20...I also bought a 32 cal mold at a gun show last month for 15 bucks. I think it is for 115 gr bullets
Last edited by Skeet 028; 09-13-2020 at 05:51 PM.
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09-15-2020, 06:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glowe
I have a 32 Winchester, 3rd Change Target with serial number 47389 that shipped in early 1910. Pictures below so you can compare your target sights to make sure they are original. The sight blade in mine is a factory Lyman, but other style inserts were available. .
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The front sight on the gun I have seems to be the same as the sights on the one you have pictured. Going to try to clean this one up and have a good photographer friend take some pics that are better than mine. Now I am going to try to find a set of original stocks... I know...rots of ruck but they don't have to be perfect as the gun itself isn't. I thunk I had a set such as the ones on yours around here but I seem to have a bit of oldtimers. The target model you have pictured is really nice...Just opened a drawer and lo and behold I found the old set of stocks..ain't pretty but if they fit I will put them on the old piece.
Last edited by Skeet 028; 09-15-2020 at 06:40 PM.
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09-15-2020, 07:27 PM
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I took the stocks off the gun and mounted the ones I found in the drawer. They aren't perfect and may not be the exact ones that came on the gun originally but they are close. They have a chip of wood out of both sides at the bottom. To be honest I was going to gift them to someone on this site when I found 'em in a box of stuff I got at a yard sale but forgot all about them. Being forgetful is a good thing sometimes
Last edited by Skeet 028; 09-15-2020 at 07:29 PM.
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09-15-2020, 10:30 PM
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Don't know how I missed this thread. You don't see target models too often.
Here's my ultra-blingy first change:
They're a lot of fun to shoot.
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09-15-2020, 10:46 PM
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Well fine! Here's my not-blingy-at-all .32-20 Target Model of 1902.
Note the non-tapered barrel.
And yes, the stocks are newer than the gun by at least 8 years.
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09-16-2020, 12:23 PM
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OK I got one too:
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09-16-2020, 01:00 PM
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I had a 6" Target .32-20 some years ago, but sold it. I needed the cash, but I also had trouble seeing those tiny sights!
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09-16-2020, 02:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
I had a 6" Target .32-20 some years ago, but sold it. I needed the cash, but I also had trouble seeing those tiny sights!
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I also have trouble seeing the sights but I am just going to shoot the darn thing with my left eye. Lost part of the sight in the right eye in an auto accident in '03 so i will get used to it I guess. I'm glad to see all the responses with the S&Ws in 32-20 being posted. I knew they were out there and am glad to see the numbers that survive with owners on this site. And seems most shoot them. I am also amazed at the quality of manufacture of over a century ago. The one I have is great. Anyone else have others? Please post 'em. Oh and I measured the bbl on the one I have and it is 6 1/2 inches not six as I posted originally
Last edited by Skeet 028; 09-16-2020 at 02:26 PM.
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09-16-2020, 02:28 PM
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I'll put a little dot of nail polish on the front sight. A lot of folks like red, but bright green is easier to see. Makes a surprisingly big difference, and it's easy to safely remove.
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09-16-2020, 09:25 PM
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Currently, I have a fixed sight 5" M&P, a 4" Colt Police Positive Special, a 5" Colt Official Police and a 4 1/2" Cimarron Model P Jr (7/8 size of a Single Action Army), all in .32-20. The Cimarron also has a .32 H&R Magnum cylinder, which I rechambered to .327 Federal Magnum.
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09-16-2020, 09:42 PM
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I found one in a pawn shop for $80.00. The finish was a little rough but it appeared to be mechanically functional. I called my buddy Leland (R.I.P.) and told him about it and he came over immediately and bought it. We shot it a few days later and discovered it had the rare tumbling projectile feature. The bullets never hit the target the same way twice. Most of the ones I have run across have been shot out, including this one. You get what you pay for. This was once a popular LEO caliber. My friend and fellow forum member Mark has one in nickel ANIB. He won't shoot it and I don't blame him.
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