I convinced one of my liberal friends to go to the range with me tonight. He had a lot of fun! I had him shooting everything from a Model 17, 65, a 1911 a Glock 9mm, even an AR-15 (S&W M&P15 of course...). We had a blast. Anyway, we were having a barbeque afterward and he said, "I really liked those revolvers. I've got my daddy's down in the safe. I think I'll get it out."

He came out with this:

J (maybe I?) frame
Square Butt
4" Barrel
5 or 6 screw: 4 on the side plate, 1 on the trigger gaurd and 1 on the front at the base of grip.
Barrel marked "32 WCF CTG" on the right side. "Smith & Wesson" on the right.
Blueing is in excellent condition with the only worn spots inside the trigger guard. No muzzle wear and only a faint turn line.
Timing and lock up are super tight.
The screw heads are perfect; I doubt it's ever been taken apart.
No box/papers.

Flipping through the Standard Catalog leads me to believe this is a Model 0f 1905, 4th Change. DOB sometime after 1915.

Does this sound right? Any guesses as to approximate value?

Thanks guys!

Assuming tthe stocks are original to the gun it is a 1905 4th change made between 1921-1926 or so. It is a "K" frame, there never were any I, Improved I or J frame guns in .32-20 (.32 W.C.F., .32 Winchester), those frames simply are not long enough.

Pull the stocks off, the serial number written in pencil on the back of the right one should match the number on the butt of the gun.

It's a five screw. 4 on the side plate, one in front of the trigger guard (the one on the front grip strap doesn't count).

I would guess 1920 to 1923 or so, assuming the grips are original.

You may need really good light, and reading glasses to see the penciled serial number on the right grip.

I looks from the photo to be in very good condition.

"...there never were any I, Improved I or J frame guns in .32-20 (.32 W.C.F., .32 Winchester), those frames simply are not long enough."

Well, I learned something today. I got out the wife's M60, and sure enough, a .32-20 cartridge IS too long. Now, I have several Colt Police Positive Specials in .32-20 and .38 special. I never realized the Colt cylinder was longer than the J frame cylinder.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The original 32-20 round was also chambered in some lever action rifles so a person could carry the same ammo for both his rifle and 6 shooter.

Nice looking gun, well kept.

It lacks the Made in USA stamp on the frame, so that should help to date it. I don't offhand recall when that was first added.

T-Star 2

Anybody care to guess at a value? It's in perfect shape, but no box.

My friend wants something to keep at the office, he's a veterinarian and they're having issues with drug addict break ins looking for his meds. He thinks he wants a 9mm auto, but I'm trying to steer him toward a 686 (loaded with .38s) or similar. He doesn't plan on becoming a shooter, so I have concerns about keeping an auto clean, lubed and ready for action if needed.

I want to offer him a fair price for this hand-ejector in trade +/- cash.

and, BTW....after our range session last night...he's now sitting in the CHP class today! I think I've got a convert!

My guessimate on value would be somewhere around $350 or so.

Those .32-20s are good shooters, at least mine have been, and I have owned around a dozen-S&Ws, Colts, Ubertis, a Marlin, and a Martini conversion.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Well it would seem that you have gotten all the answers you needed. I just wanted to let you know that your friend has a great looking revolver, and one to be proud of.

I bought a 32-20 Target over the weekend. I paid full asking price of $1250. David Carroll had a similar gun to the one pictured, except it was nearly perfect and had a 5" barrel. His price was $1050. I'd think the one shown should be worth well over $500. In the SCSW they provide a serial number breaking point of 65,000 in 1925. While it is an M&P, it lives in a different serial number sequence than other M&Ps.

__________________
Dick Burg

Does this gun have a serial number ? I didn't notice it in the original post .

Later, Mike Priwer

Thanks for all the feedback guys! It is very much appreciated.

Don't know why I didn't post the SN before...it is: 1015xx

That should put it right in the middle of the 4th change production. Say about 1927ish?

From what your friend says he wants I'd try and find a good used 64 and swap him. A stainless, fixed sight, 38 Special would be ideal for a office defense handgun. Throw in a few hundred rounds of practice ammo and a box of self defense ammo and you should both be happy.

The gun is late 1922 to early 1923 . It looks to be all original, grips are correct,
and the fit of the sideplate looks completely original. Its more than a $300 gun.
Its hard to say exactly, but I would think its in the $500 to $600 range.

Later, Mike Priwer