PLEASE HELP ME IDENTIFY

[Bocephus]

I saw this today in a local pawn shop and it sure is nice. Just have no idea what model it is. None on the gun.
S&W 32 WCF. Photos are skewed (sorry)
S/N is 94565. Is $399 a good price? Is it worth being a safe queen?
Hope this is enough to tell something.

[jmace57]

It's a much older gun than you think, and should go to the earlier forum if you can. It looks like an M&P from somewhere between 1915 and 1940 (the range in the catalog is 65701 to 144684) there were separate SN ranges for the 32-20. Unfortunately, it appears to have been refinished (as the hammer and trigger are nickel plated, which S&W basically never did). It has much later grips on it. In my opinion, that makes the asking price too high. Is the action good? Bore OK?

There are folks here that LOVE to shoot the 32-20 (32 WCF) cartridge. It is not something you find at the Wal-Mart or sporting goods store. It is usually specialty (Cowboy shooting) places that carry it, and many who DO shoot it, reload.

[DWalt]

94565 indicates probable shipment in late 1920-early 1921. It's a Military and Police (M&P) model. Even with the later grips (those on it are from post-1969), from the pictures, I'd say that $399 is not a terrible price, and worth attempting to get a downward adjustment of 20% or so given the replating and incorrect grips if you just want a shooter. Ammo availability and price are negative factors to wanting a .32-20 shooter. If you reload, that's the way to go. It will never be a safe queen.

[Alk8944]

The "Winchester Model", the .32-20, is my favorite S&W. I have several. Unfortunately this a case of "Lipstick on a pig". The gun is early 1920s, and probably in poor condition before someone polished the stuffing out of it, had it Nickeled, and put 1960s-1970s stocks on it trying to make it attractive. Honestly it is at least $100-$150 too high. Even if I needed a shooter grade .32-20 I wouldn't give $100 for it. It would have been worth more before re-finishing.

At least (1) they didn't ruin the sideplate/frame fit by overzealous polishing, and (2) didn't put a "Bumper Chrome" job on it! These are both positives. It's a real shame whoever did the polishing didn't know about flat polishing instead of just a buffing wheel on the left side of the frame! If it wasn't for this maybe $399 would be more acceptable.

[Bocephus]

Thanks for the replies and information on the gun. I will stay away from this gun and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge and assistance on the Forum.