Quote:
Originally Posted by Bohonkie
I just picked up a nice hand ejector, model 1905, in 32-20 CTG (on bbl). Ser nr is 111873.
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Your .32-20 Hand Ejector would, as you said, have the fourth engineering changes which started showing up around 1915. The cartridge designation on your gun indicates assembly after 1922. Prior to that time (1914-1922), it would have said, 32 W.C.F. CTG.
The .32-20 HE was made from c. 1899 until sometime around 1933 or 1934, at which time production ceased forever, even though the gun remained in the catalog until about 1940. Some were almost certainly still in the vault after WWII and shipped later.
The serial number range on these ran from 1 to over 144,000. So yours probably does date from the late 1920s or very early 1930s. Production numbers by year are not available. Shipping could be any time after about 1930. Only a factory letter will tell you for sure. I know of one in the 140,000 range that shipped in 1934.
I hope this helps.
Alan gave you a good explanation of the assembly number matter, so I won't add anything to that.
Jack