Last week I ran into this guy who had an old nickle 32-20 Hand Ejector. According to the blue book I have (several years old) it is a "5th revision." The nickle is flaking pretty badly; I would guess it retains about 65 % of the finish. It locks up tight, and the bore is in pretty good shape. All in all, it's in good working condition, but leaves something to be desired appearance-wise. I paid the guy $150 for it. it's serial # is 888XX. Can somebody tell me the year of manufacture? Thanks.

Last week I ran into this guy who had an old nickle 32-20 Hand Ejector. According to the blue book I have (several years old) it is a "5th revision." The nickle is flaking pretty badly; I would guess it retains about 65 % of the finish. It locks up tight, and the bore is in pretty good shape. All in all, it's in good working condition, but leaves something to be desired appearance-wise. I paid the guy $150 for it. it's serial # is 888XX. Can somebody tell me the year of manufacture? Thanks.

It is a Model of 1905 Fourth Change (78,983 MADE). If it has stocks on it with the Gold medallions I would say 1917 or so. If the stocks are without Medallions I would say 1920 to 1940. Some of the other guys can give you a closer date than me, and PICS would help big time. PLUS welcome to the forum. Later John

Thanks, John. The stocks do not have medallions on them.

.32-20 ser. number 86946 was shipped Jan 22, 1920. If your gun's stocks are numbered to your gun and do not have medalions, then chances are very good it was shipped late 1920 to early 1921. The medalions in the stocks were dropped 1919-1920 era and were a phased in change as stocks with medalions were used up. S&W went back to medalions in their stocks in 1930, again a phased in change. Ed.

The right stock does have a faint serial # on it, and the stocks do not have medallions on them. Thanks to both of you for the info.