the other gun show find: a 4" 32-20

Lee Barner · #1 01-24-2021, 09:43 PM

this one has never seen a holster like the .44. late 20s gun that is about like new. when I got to the show I went down the south end of the building as always. I know a couple of old gun traders that I have bought several guns from over the last 20+ years. the first had this 32-20. I looked it over good and asked him to put up til I got back. went 50 feet and found the 44. made a call to a buddy who has the 4th edition. went back in and made an offer on the 44 and got it. went to the truck to put it up and went back in to start the dance on this gun. this guy and I always have to insult each other and point out all the flaws(real or imagined), then I start really low and he comes down some. I ended up with it for what I wanted to pay. I went and got in the truck and came home. didn't even see the rest of the show. enjoy. Lee

lihpster · #2 01-24-2021, 09:45 PM

I love it when a plan comes together! Nice score!

22hipower · #3 01-24-2021, 10:08 PM

Nice, hard to find them in that condition. I have a couple that were well used and show it. This one (138956) might be about the same timeframe as yours, 1928 I think but haven't lettered it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Scharfschuetzer · #4 01-24-2021, 10:49 PM

That's a very nice revovler.

This is my 32/20. Lots of fun to shoot and spot on with 115 grain cast bullets at 800 fps.

Chukar60 · #5 01-24-2021, 11:12 PM

You sir, had a very good day. Congratulations on both guns.

JP@AK · #6 01-24-2021, 11:26 PM

Well done, Lee. That is a beaut!

Would you mind sharing the serial number? I'd like to add it to my list. PM if necessary. Thanks.

handejector · #7 01-24-2021, 11:30 PM

Take good ear muffs with ya! The 4 inchers seem louder than the longer ones.

JP@AK · #8 01-24-2021, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

Take good ear muffs with ya! The 4 inchers seem louder than the longer ones.

Well . . . I use ear protection for all my shooting (granted it probably isn't necessary when shooting the .22s).

I don't know why I bother, since my hearing was all but destroyed in 'Nam. But I do it anyway.

quinn · #9 01-25-2021, 12:11 AM

Shame Mega Millions was hit the night before, huh, Lee?

Igiveup · #10 01-25-2021, 12:12 AM

Beautiful revolver! I have an older one that went back to the factory in '42, I would guess a reblue. Also, the front sight blade has been filed down. It is 32 Winchester, a tad older than yours, but fun to shoot.

Green Frog · #11 01-25-2021, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Barner

this one has never seen a holster like the .44. late 20s gun that is about like new. when I got to the show I went down the south end of the building as always. I know a couple of old gun traders that I have bought several guns from over the last 20+ years. the first had this 32-20. I looked it over good and asked him to put up til I got back. went 50 feet and found the 44. made a call to a buddy who has the 4th edition. went back in and made an offer on the 44 and got it. went to the truck to put it up and went back in to start the dance on this gun. this guy and I always have to insult each other and point out all the flaws(real or imagined), then I start really low and he comes down some. I ended up with it for what I wanted to pay. I went and got in the truck and came home. didn't even see the rest of the show. enjoy. Lee

A little wipe down with Rig or Ballistol and it should be ready to shoot, or a coat of Ren Wax and it will be ready for another 90 years. Nice old K frames just keep on going and going. Congrats, Lee.

Froggie

LEO918 · #12 01-25-2021, 03:35 PM

What a great catch Lee. Happy for ya'. Here's mine in very similar condition.

mrchuck · #13 01-25-2021, 04:47 PM

I have a complete box of Remington32-20 High Performance RIFLE ammunition.
I no longer have the rifle, and would like to know if I can use this ammo in a revolver of the same caliber??
There is a "GUN SHOW" in Reno,NV on FEB 6 and 7th and will take this box and trade it off.

Muley Gil · #14 01-25-2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrchuck

I have a complete box of Remington32-20 High Performance RIFLE ammunition.
I no longer have the rifle, and would like to know if I can use this ammo in a revolver of the same caliber??
There is a "GUN SHOW" in Reno,NV on FEB 6 and 7th and will take this box and trade it off.

Yes, it is safe in any quality revolver in good condition. The only "Rifle Only" round was the 85 grain hollow point jacketed bullet load, which has a "HV" (High Velocity) stamp on the case head.

Does your ammo have lead bullets or jacketed soft points? Both are safe in revolvers.

mikepriwer · #15 01-25-2021, 08:57 PM

Here is a 4" 32-20 target that was in very poor condition when I bought it. It was shipped to an individual in October 1908. As you will be able to tell, Dave Chicoine did a lot of work to make it a first-class target revolver, and Keith Brown did a wonderful job of re-checkering the grips. Everything about the gun is original, except for the finish!

The first thee pictures are before the restoration work.

The next four pictures are after the work.

Regards, Mike

mikepriwer · #16 01-25-2021, 09:34 PM

Here are two of the earliest K-32's. Its a bit confusing, because these two guns are sequentially serial-numbered in the 32-20 series, which would classify them as 32-20's. But, the are chambered in 32-long, which effectively makes them very early K-32's. They were shipped in 1910. These guns are part of a special order of about a dozen guns chambered in 32 long; the factory elected to serial-number them in the 32-20 series

A competitive target shooter from St Louis ordered one of these two guns, but the order was the price of two guns. One went to the fellow who ordered them, and the destination of the other gun is no quite resolved. Another shooter from St Louis, whose specialty was trap shooting, received the second of these two sequentially numbered guns!

The first one I bought was in Utah, and its finish shows some abuse. I bought the second one about 5 years later, from a fellow in Kentucky, and its finish is the nicer of the two. Both have Lyman gold bead front sight blades.

Regards, Mike

Drm50 · #17 01-25-2021, 11:24 PM

I get about one good 32/20 S&W a year. They were popular in these parts. The cheap skates from around these parts must have all been gut busters because I have never kicked out a target model. I guess that would be my grail S&W. I do come up with most in Hi condition.pic of last one I had. Traded it for a 18 no dash.