Trying to identify the model and manufacture date of a gun I bought 40 years ago at a gun show in Illinois. The relevant info is:


Hand Ejector
Ser # 11419
32 Winchester Ctg stamped on bbl. It fires the 32-20 ctg
Bbl length is 4 7/8 inches
fixed sites


Add'l info:


DOES have a strain screw
NO butt swivel or landyard ring
4 screws (NONE on trigger guard)


Any help is appreciated.


Bryan Hines

Attached Images

32-20 S&W.jpg (61.3 KB, 100 views)

Welcome to the Forum. That is a 32/20 Hand Ejector Model 1902, 1st Change revolver. This model was made from 1903 to 1905 in serial number range 9812 to 18,125, so slightly less than 10,000 made. Your revolver would likely have shipped in 1903 or 1904.

Looks like faded blue, but smooth original gun.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

The closest SN I have listed to yours is 10971, a .32-20 which shipped from the factory on 10/13/1903. Yours shouldn't be too far away. It is not possible to establish a manufacture date, only a shipping date. And S&W did not ship in serial number order. The caliber barrel stamping on earlier revolvers is .32 Winchester, which is correct for yours. Later barrel stamps used were .32 WCF and .32-20. But they are all the same cartridge.

Judging from the picture, I would guess that the grips may be modern replicas, not original.

You guys are great and thank you very much. This is exactly the info I desired. I knew the gun was old but didn't know how old. I had it at the range last week and put a couple boxes of factory loads through it. Still shoots as reliably as the day it was made, and the fixed sites are pretty accurate. The gun is a faded blue but I consider it patina. Thanks again.

Yes. The "1st Change" Model of 1902, had a larger diameter barrel. The difference between it and the first of the 1902s can be seen by looking at the location where the barrel meets the frame. Yours would have a slight swell at that point. Here is a 1902 with the original barrel configuration; the barrel is straight sided where it meets the forward frame bridge.

This revolver is a very scarce 1902 target model with a 5" barrel. The serial number is 8037 and it shipped to Philip Beckeart on March 15, 1904. The stocks are later replacements; the gun shipped with black hard rubber round butt stocks.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Have fun, but don't overdo it. Parts are tough and the spring that works the trigger is impossible to find. After 120 years, the integrity of the small parts are always in question. Personally, I reload this caliber using light bullets, and don't run them over 700 fps. Factory loads can easily achieve near 1000 fps.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Good advice. I just ordered a set of 32-20 dies so I can reload the lighter loads you suggest.

Looking at 115 grain, 32-20 RNFP, and they ask for the preferred diameter. Either .312. or .313 is available. Any advice?

Jacketed or lead?

I would highly recommend .313 lead bullets. Both full wadcutter 98 grain, and round nose flat point 100 grain, are available from Missouri Bullets, $35/500 and $34/500, plus $16 shipping for up to 2000 bullets.

In my opinion, 115 is not a light bullet for a 32 caliber revolver. I have tried several different styles, but settled on casting my own, a 90 grain SWC in .314". Very accurate and coupled with Trail Boss, a great load for paper targets. If you cast lead, try this mold. Lee 2-Cavity Bullet Mold TL314-90-SWC 32-20 WCF 32 S&W Long 32 Colt

Personally, I stay away from hollow-base wadcutters. Have pulled a few skirts out of barrels and have one barrel with a bulge that I did not find before sending another round down the bore.

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Gary
SWCA 2515