Modified .32-20 Shipped 1926 - Service sights converted to Target UPDATE SEE POST #24

THREEDFLYER

THREEDFLYER

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Purchased this one and it's on the way but wanted to see if anyone else has seen this modification and know who might have manufactured it?

Does not appear to be marked, but I may find something when it arrives and I can do a full inspection but it appears to be nicely done from what I can see in the photos.

I can say with confidence that it is not a KING modification or it would be marked as such.

Roy tells me that this one shipped February, 1926





 
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quinn said:
Tom, that looks like fun! (But, I think the grips may not match...) Any markings on the rib like maybe Micro?)
Click to expand...

The stocks are certainly NOT period correct (I can use them elsewhere), and I will put some early aftermarket target stocks on it when it arrives. I have a set of plastic target stocks with a thumbrest that may be perfect for this one.

I will post more photos and reveal any markings I find on it when it is in my hands. It should be here in a week to 10 days and I will report back.

The "Micro" idea may be correct.....I am hoping to find some marking on the rib upon close inspection.
 
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I like it! There appears to be some "holster" wear on the barrel, cylinder, and edges of the frame which leads me to believe that this revolver was carried quite a bit before the ventilated barrel rib and sights were added. Maybe a cop gun that was later transformed into a target revolver? No idea as to who performed the modification, but it looks very professional. Regardless, it's a cool .32-20 revolver (M&P 1905 4th Change?) and I'll bet it's fun and accurate to shoot. Enjoy!
 
I like it. The 32/20 was a popular outdoorsman’s cartridge, maybe the owner of this revolver sprung for the sight conversion to better be able to shoot the heads off grouse perched on a spruce limb.

I’m not an expert but I’ve never saw a Micro sight job that didn’t have their screw adjustable sight as opposed to the friction with locking screws setup this appears to be. My guess would be a one off by an unknown gunsmith or in several cases I’ve handled before, a toolmaker with an interest in firearms who modified his personal gun. I have met some very talented tool and die makers who made all manner of sights and other gun gadgets on their lunch breaks or after hours, always very well done and never marked as to maker.
 
steelslaver said:
Interesting sight assembly. It is impressive that the rib is all one piece.
Click to expand...

IMPRESSIVE,,,”
IMO, there are enough screws in there to make a 1/4 rib on a .416 Rigby! AND the front of the Rib appears to be pinned THROUGH the remnants of (a pretty big piece) the original front sight, cool.
Also,,, the frame of this gun has the USA stamp but I can’t make out any barrel markings ,, maybe others can. Not knowing the serial number this Frame “should have” the improved service sights cut for the rear sight. I would like to see a picture of the muzzle and the “end at rear of the rail.
I’m obsessed now, and curious to learn more
 
I can definitively say that's not a Micro Sight job.

Keep in mind all of the Micro Sight guys were DW King employees who got sued for what they were making after they walked across the street to start their own company (doing exactly what they had been doing at King, same designs and everything), when the guy that King's widow hired to managed DW King ran the business into the ground.

Early Micro stuff is straight up D.W. King designs, executed to King standards, with the only drop in quality being the typically terrible polishing jobs on whoever they got to reblue guns they worked on.

If it were a later Micro job they had a different design for the rear sight, which they would have undoubtedly used here.

If I had to guess about this job I'd say it comes out of California somewhere, probably done like +/- 7 years of 1960. I'm pretty sure I have seen this work done on at least one other gun at some point, but no gunsmith was attributed there.
 
mrcvs said:
If you have a modified firearm, what does it matter if the stocks are period correct or not?
Click to expand...

I am guessing that this one was wearing some very nice target style stocks after it was modified and they were taken off before the sale.

Maybe some Ropers??

That said, if anyone has a set of Roper's or other vintage target stocks around that might work on this, drop me a PM or Email.
 
4K2022 said:
IMPRESSIVE,,,”
IMO, there are enough screws in there to make a 1/4 rib on a .416 Rigby! AND the front of the Rib appears to be pinned THROUGH the remnants of (a pretty big piece) the original front sight, cool.
Also,,, the frame of this gun has the USA stamp but I can’t make
Click to expand...

I will agree that they got a bit carried away on attachments:D
 
Jebus35745 said:
My Gosh Tom, you always find neat guns. That’s a nice looking revolver. Was it local? I’m right in the middle of loading 200 32/20’s, just have to set the bullets in. Congrats, Larry
Click to expand...

Larry,

This one is coming from a small auction that comes around a few times per year.....It's the same one that I found my single shot custom Flaig made W.W. Greener action rifle in .22 Rem Jet a few years back.

I did not have a .32-20 S&W in the safe so thought this one would be a fun one to shoot.
 
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