32 WCF

[Retired W4]

A little back story.
Not too long ago I had two 32-20s, one blue and one nickel. I was looking for a Savage Sporter 23C to go with them, and I have a 23A (22 LR) Gave up on the search for the 23C and sold the revolvers. Well, I finally came across the Savage so now I needed the revolver again. Took a chance on this one and it turned out pretty well, but this 100 year old gun was really dirty inside. Got it all cleaned out and shined up the best I could. Functions better than a new gun now. The book calls it a 32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905-4th Change. With a SN of 97xxx it should have the heat treated cylinder.

Unfortunately the photo came out with a nice reflection of my tripod.

 

[Buick]

Boy that thing is in nice shape!

 

[JP@AK]

With a SN of 97xxx it should have the heat treated cylinder.

Yes, heat treatment on the cylinder began in September, 1919, at serial number 81287.

Yours very likely shipped in 1921.

Nice find!

 

[Retired W4]

Yes, heat treatment on the cylinder began in September, 1919, at serial number 81287.

Yours very likely shipped in 1921.

Nice find!

Thanks Jack. I figured early 20's

 

[ColbyBruce]

Remington made a nice pump action carbine in .32/20 that would pair well with your revolver.

 

[Retired W4]

Remington made a nice pump action carbine in .32/20 that would pair well with your revolver.

You might have seen the Marlin 1888 (32-20) at auction past. It got my interest but I already had my Savage Sporter. The Marlin had a few problems.

My buddy GH is getting ready to load about 500 rounds when he finds the dies. I keep feeding him brass.

 

[nksmfamjp]

I have something similar…

I’ve even shot it once or twice.


How do I know if it is not heat treated.

 

[Muley Gil]

I have something similar…

I’ve even shot it once or twice.


How do I know if it is not heat treated.

See post #3:

"Yes, heat treatment on the cylinder began in September, 1919, at serial number 81287."

I wouldn't worry about the heat treatment. There is more steel around a .32-20 cartridge in a K frame, as opposed to the more common .38 special.

Many years ago, I shot some pretty warm Jeff Cooper .32-20 loads in a early S&W, so early it had the cylinder stop shims. And yes, they were LOUD.

 

[Model19man]

Yes I regularly shoot my Model 1899 in 32 WCF. It's a huge bulky revolver firing a pipsqueak of a round. The meat on the cylinder is impressive.

 

[Retired W4]

I have not seen the 4" around here. Very nice.

 

[DWalt]

While some would (and do) call yours a Model of 1905, 4th Change, S&W catalogued it as a .32-20 Military and Police Model at the time yours was made. S&W dropped the "Model of 1905" nomenclature around 1914. Heat treatment of the cylinder does not buy much benefit as there is so much steel around the chambers. I always wanted a Winchester Model 43 in ,32-20, but never found one at a price I would pay. I did once own a Winchester 73 in .32-20, but the bore was so pitted that I never fired it, also a previous owner had carved his initials very deeply (and crudely) into the buttstock. I did not keep it long.

 

[cmansguns]

Beautiful gun OP...that Nickle finish really pops! Mine is also a "4th Change" by serial number, however it has only 1 guide pin under the extractor star, yet all serial numbers (105093) match, cylinder, bbl flat, frame.

I've yet to shoot it, but heard that Mrs Santa Claus found some 115 gr Cowboy Action ammo somewhere and it might just appear under the tree in a few days. She was not sure so forwarded a pic of the ammo and asked if it was the right thing.......I just said yea......mortgage the house, trade the kids...whatever........just get your hands on it if you can.

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes I regularly shoot my Model 1899 in 32 WCF. It's a huge bulky revolver firing a pipsqueak of a round. The meat on the cylinder is impressive.

I've never considered a pencil barrel K frame to be huge and bulky nor is the .32-20 a pipsqueak round, if handloaded properly.

 

[Model19man]

I've never considered a pencil barrel K frame to be huge and bulky nor is the .32-20 a pipsqueak round, if handloaded properly.

I find it very accurate at the minimum recommended loads of powder so I have never loaded what you are talking about. It's used only to punch holes in paper targets. Mine are for sure pipsqueak rounds.

 

[JSR III]

Unfortunately the photo came out with a nice reflection of my tripod.

Well being a glass half full kind of guy, I look at the fact that the finish is now so shiny that it was able to reflect the tripod. If it was all crusty then no reflection would have been possible.....