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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #1  
Old 12-01-2021, 02:16 PM
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Default King’s Super Police 32-20(range report update)

Today I picked up an early Christmas/birthday present for myself. It an earlier 1905 4th change with Kings super police sights. All of the numbers match where they are supposed to. The barrel flat has a b and an f stamped in it then the serial number. The bore has some slight frosting in the corners of the rifling. The chamber are clean. There is no rust or other markings on the grip frame. The left grip has the checking worn in a weird spot. The hammers has been bobbed as well or broken.

I sent my check in today for the S&WCA. I’m now up to 5 32-20’s, 3 targets, 1 m&p and now this one. I would never have attempted this purchase with out the knowledge I gained here. Unless I totally blew this! Then just don’t tell me!!!!!!!!
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Old 12-01-2021, 02:18 PM
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More pictures
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Old 12-01-2021, 02:47 PM
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dwh

That's a pretty nice shooter. I'm partial to the .32-20 HEs also.

Based on the serial number, this one probably shipped in 1916. The stocks, markings and extractor rod knob are consistent with that year.

The B on the barrel flat indicates the gun left Springfield with a blue finish. I have no idea what the f might be.

The bobbed hammer could be replaced if you are of a mind to do it.

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Old 12-01-2021, 02:50 PM
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Very neat gun . For the right price I would have bought it.
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Old 12-01-2021, 05:31 PM
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Hammer looks intentionally bobbed to me, not broken. It was likely done by Kings at the time of the sight work, I wouldn't see a need to install an unmolested one. Cool gun, don't often see King guns in 32.
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Old 12-01-2021, 05:37 PM
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Congratulations on a very cool King conversion! Be careful buying King Modified guns, it’s addictive
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Old 12-01-2021, 05:40 PM
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Paul the 32-20’s are addictive enough. But those king guns are looking pretty attractive as well.
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Old 12-01-2021, 05:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gdogs View Post
Hammer looks intentionally bobbed to me, not broken. It was likely done by Kings at the time of the sight work, I wouldn't see a need to install an unmolested one. Cool gun, don't often see King guns in 32.
You usually see King sight work accompanied by a cockeyed hammer……definitely a nice acquisition……is there a King marking on the sights?
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Old 12-01-2021, 05:52 PM
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There is very little space to see any kind of stamping. I may try removing the front sight and pin this weekend. I plan on giving the internals a good cleaning. There a good bit of dried oil in there but no rust.
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Old 12-01-2021, 06:25 PM
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Talking 32-20

As an Alaskan (eight years and eight winters) always an Alaskan, kinda like the Marines! Plenty of shooting places where you are to try out that 32-20. Be sure to give us a range report. What a beauty! It is my all time favorite caliber, but come to think of it I said the same for the 44 S&W special. I love 'em both. Stay warm! and good shooting.
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Old 12-01-2021, 07:19 PM
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Nice score, 32-20 is a great caliber for a handgun and getting a King front sight all the better. My first centerfire handgun was a Colt Officer's Match 38 that had received the King Super treatment. It not only had the ramped front sight but integral vent rib, adjustable rear sight, cockeyed hammer and trigger job. I traded it in for a Colt Trooper .357 and am still kicking myself.
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Old 12-01-2021, 07:24 PM
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As an Alaskan (eight years and eight winters) always an Alaskan
Only eight years and you gave it up for crowded state?

We've been here nearly 40 years now and wouldn't even consider leaving . . .

Warm right now - 21 degrees above!
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Old 12-01-2021, 07:33 PM
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The significant King work is the low-light rear sight. The front sight blade may be King, but I can't tell from here.

Regards, Mike Priwer
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Old 12-01-2021, 07:40 PM
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Mike what other pictures would you need to see to verify its a king.
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Old 12-01-2021, 07:53 PM
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I can’t tell you how much I like your new revolver……ok, I just did. 😎
That really is a great one from a different era.
The hammer looks like it was done intentionally and I would not change it.
This old M&P checks all the boxes for me.
I am in love.
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Old 12-01-2021, 07:59 PM
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Those sights are SWEET!!!

Thanks for sharing.
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Old 12-01-2021, 08:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gdogs View Post
…Hammer looks intentionally bobbed to me, not broken. It was likely done by Kings at the time of the sight work…
Looks intentional to me also. I bet the original spur got in the way of the sight picture.

Kevin
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Old 12-01-2021, 08:45 PM
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Dave

The white-outline cut into the face of the rear sight is proof enough that the gun was modified by King. That modification is called a low-light rear sight. Check the front sight blade carefully, to see if the King name is stamped anywhere on the blade. That would not confirm that it was a King modification, as anyone could have done that. It's also not known just how the gun was configured when it left the S&W factory.

However, it certainly is possible/likely that when King modified the rear sight, he might also have milled the front sight to accept a blade, and then mounted a King blade. We'd have to look through the King manual, and see if he made a front sight blade shaped like the one that you have.

You might also check the action/lockwork, to see if the hammer throw was converted to short-throw. You can tell by simply pulling the hammer into single action lock.

The tang of the hammer was either broken and then repaired, or was modified, or possibly even replaced. You can look carefully at the sides, and see if the King name is stamped anywhere.

As it stands now, the only connection to King is the modified rear sight.

Regards, Mike Priwer
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Old 12-01-2021, 08:54 PM
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Very cool. Love the mods. Somebody's "tactical" sidearm circa 1916! Now we have black plastic and 17 round magazines...
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Old 12-01-2021, 10:22 PM
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I believe the rear sight was cut so you can see the beautiful sights while firing double action. The old long action hammers on K frames momentarily block your view when firing double action with fixed sights. I don't know why Smith and Wesson did this, but that's how my late father's 1930s era M&P is. Never could figure that out.
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Old 12-01-2021, 10:52 PM
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I’m traveling right now so I can’t check my King catalogs to confirm if just this type front blade was listed in the Kings catalogs, but the Super Police modification definitely was which I believe the OP gun clearly is. Here is a picture of my modified 38/44 Super Police for comparison. Mine has a King cockeyed hammer that has been shaved on the sides





Also, if you like King guns & Target 32-20s this one is pretty cool!





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Old 12-01-2021, 11:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikepriwer View Post
However, it certainly is possible/likely that when King modified the rear sight, he might also have milled the front sight to accept a blade, and then mounted a King blade. We'd have to look through the King manual, and see if he made a front sight blade shaped like the one that you have.

As it stands now, the only connection to King is the modified rear sight.

Regards, Mike Priwer
Mike:

I believe that 32-20 is the classic King "Super Police" modification...



Here's my King Super Police modification on a snubby pre-war M&P:









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Old 12-02-2021, 01:11 AM
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OOOHHHH...King goodness. I bought my King modified Colt Officer's Match from a wiley old gun dealer for $165 back in the early 70's. It was the most accurate handgun I had ever fired. I shot a friend's .357 magnum and had to have one, but not much money on hand. I went back to the WOGD and told him I was interested in an upgrade. He asked me what I wanted and I told him that I wanted a .357 magnum. He asked what I had to trade and I brought out the old Colt I had bought from him a few years ago, he pointed to the .357's and examined the Colt. When he came over I pointed to a nice Python, he said "How about a straight across trade for this nice new Colt Highway Patrolman?" I looked at the CHP and said "Throw in a box of shells?" He looked over his glasses at me and said "Sure kid." Reached around for a box of shells, I was happy. Couple of months later I went out to the WOGD to show a new guy around the gun shops and what do I see in the special gun case but my old Colt Officer's Match, new price $285. I said "Hey Ed, whats the deal with this old Colt I traded you?" He smiled and said "Kid you prolly don't know but King died."

It should look like this:


Last edited by Kinman; 12-02-2021 at 01:16 AM.
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Old 12-02-2021, 02:55 AM
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Originally Posted by RKmesa View Post
I believe that 32-20 is the classic King "Super Police" modification...


Richard,
I absolutely love that gun! About the time I forget about it, you show it again, and cause my uncontrollable drooling all over again. Thanks for sharing that beauty again. Keep showing it.....I really like the drooling.
Larry
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Old 12-02-2021, 09:45 AM
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Default Were Kings sights really gold?

What a great .32-20! Sure looks like the King's Super Police night sight modification to me. Is the King front sight full gold bead really gold, or just looks like gold? The front sights on the various revolvers almost look like polished copper. My .32-20 4th Change (s/n 118705, ca. mid-1920s) has a "poor man's" King front sight mod...a copper bead.
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Old 12-02-2021, 10:48 AM
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Interesting, my King catalog #19 shows a "steel center gold bead" instead of this "full gold bead." I wonder what year mine is. Has to predate the NFA because it offers a shoulder stock for Woodsman.
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Old 12-02-2021, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by SS336 View Post
I can’t tell you how much I like your new revolver……ok, I just did. 😎
That really is a great one from a different era.
The hammer looks like it was done intentionally and I would not change it.
This old M&P checks all the boxes for me.
I am in love.
It could check one more box. I think a nice worn set of Ropers would be just the ticket. I do have a nice pair moose grips form bigmntman that will be going on for the range test.
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Old 12-02-2021, 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Hawg Rider View Post
What a great .32-20! Sure looks like the King's Super Police night sight modification to me. Is the King front sight full gold bead really gold, or just looks like gold? The front sights on the various revolvers almost look like polished copper. My .32-20 4th Change (s/n 118705, ca. mid-1920s) has a "poor man's" King front sight mod...a copper bead.
On a historical note gold was only around $35 an ounce for decades, up through the 60's. I don't know what the carat weight of the "sight" gold was but just enough to avoid tarnishing has a rather small amount of gold to alloy mixture. For example 10 carat is nearly 50% gold the rest is alloy.
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Old 12-02-2021, 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Hawg Rider View Post
What a great .32-20! Sure looks like the King's Super Police night sight modification to me. Is the King front sight full gold bead really gold, or just looks like gold? The front sights on the various revolvers almost look like polished copper. My .32-20 4th Change (s/n 118705, ca. mid-1920s) has a "poor man's" King front sight mod...a copper bead.
My 1902 1st change has a marbles sheard copper front sight. Boy is it small. Matched with a tiny U notch rear sight blade.
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Old 12-02-2021, 08:03 PM
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It could check one more box. I think a nice worn set of Ropers would be just the ticket. I do have a nice pair moose grips form bigmntman that will be going on for the range test.
Are you just trying to hurt me? ☹️
A pair of Ropers would be great on that! Period correct for sure.
Any stag would look good, too. Moose definitely will make it look nice.
Just remember me when you grow tired of your revolver. I think I should be at the top of the list. 😎😂
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Old 12-02-2021, 08:27 PM
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My 1902 1st change has a marbles sheard copper front sight. Boy is it small. Matched with a tiny U notch rear sight blade.
I used to have an early target .32-20 with that Sheard front sight. I couldn't hardly see the sights and it went on down the road.
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Old 12-02-2021, 08:58 PM
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Nice pistol. I used to read about the Kings modifications, and was in the old store a couple times in Glendale I think. Very cool. 32 caliber is a winner.
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Old 12-11-2021, 03:50 PM
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Today was a very poor day to shoot outside. Very dark and overcast, high winds and intermittent rain. But what great day to try out the Kings low light sights. The top group is a 7 yards da. The bottom group is a 20yards da. That gold bead shines like a beacon. Thanks to bigmntman for those moose grips their gorgeous.
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