Thread: 32/20 S&W
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Old 05-13-2017, 12:24 PM
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JP@AK JP@AK is offline
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What Ralph wrote is generally correct. However, in the case of your revolver, we have some knowledge that can narrow things down quite a bit.

First, we know that a .32-20 Hand Ejector with serial number 81287 was assembled in September, 1919. It was the first to get heat treatment on the cylinder.

Second, the caliber designation on the barrel, 32 W.C.F., was discontinued in about mid-year 1922. At about the same time, Made in U.S.A. was added to the frame on the right side. Since yours says 32 W.C.F., I'll bet it lacks the Made in U.S.A. stamp.

When we combine the two facts noted above, we can be fairly confident that your revolver was produced in the 1920-1922 period and probably in 1921. I show serial number 106473 shipping in August, 1922, so we know that one was made before that time. Yours, at 102xxx, would also have been made before that. When it shipped remains unknown without a factory letter, but you can be quite sure it wasn't before 1920 and probably not before 1921.

As others have told you, it is built on the K size frame.
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