S&W 1905 32-20

E

EPP

Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2022
Messages
31
Reaction score
91
Location
SW Washington State
Hello, I picked this up about a month and a half ago. 91,2XX serial number. Other than some wear at the muzzle its seems to have spent most of its life safely stored away. Tight lock up, stiff double action pull, clean brake in single action; barrel and cylinders are spotless.
Haven't shot it yet put did manage to pick up some ammo for it.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20241122_141319912.jpg
    IMG_20241122_141319912.jpg
    151.2 KB · Views: 130
  • IMG_20241122_140944755.jpg
    IMG_20241122_140944755.jpg
    154.2 KB · Views: 104
Register to hide this ad
Muley Gil said:
I would say your .32-20 shipped between 1902 and mid 1922. Offhand, I'll bet it needs a good cleaning and some fresh lube to lighten up the action.

It looks good!
Click to expand...
From what I've read in the past, I was guessing late teens maybe 1920.
Forgot to say the stocks are numbered to the pistol.
And cleaning and lube is in its future.
 
Last edited:
The OP stated the serial number. 91,XXX, which should have shipped in 1920 - 1921.Yes, stocks are 1920 to 1930, but by itself, no guarantee that they were not replaced. The frame does not have a MADE IN USA stamp which was ordered in May 1922. That is a nice 32 Military & Police, 4th Change revolver. The barrel should be stamped 32 WCF since the 32-20 marking did not exist until about 1922-23.
 
glowe said:
The OP stated the serial number. 91,XXX, which should have shipped in 1920 - 1921.Yes, stocks are 1920 to 1930, but by itself, no guarantee that they were not replaced. The frame does not have a MADE IN USA stamp which was ordered in May 1922. That is a nice 32 Military & Police, 4th Change revolver. The barrel should be stamped 32 WCF since the 32-20 marking did not exist until about 1922-23.
Click to expand...

Correct, the barrel is marked 32 WCF, and the stocks are marked with the gun's serial number in faded pencil.
 
EPP said:
,,,”barrel and cylinders are spotless.
Haven't shot it yet put did manage to pick up some ammo for it.
Click to expand...

You got my attention @ spotless, Very Nice
Ammo is available at Pay to Play prices, have fun. But you might enjoy this gun too much!! And return from the range wanting a more “seasoned shooter
 
  • Like
Reactions: EPP
If ever there was a revolver begging for reloading, this one is it. While commercial loads are available (at a high price) you can have the satisfaction of “rolling your own” much more economically. If you obtain a Lyman 311008 bullet mould, the process becomes almost cheap!
Froggie
 
Green Frog said:
If ever there was a revolver begging for reloading, this one is it. While commercial loads are available (at a high price) you can have the satisfaction of “rolling your own” much more economically. If you obtain a Lyman 311008 bullet mould, the process becomes almost cheap!
Froggie
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info; I've already picked up 250 rounds of NOS off GB; with reloading in mind.
 
Opened it up and cleaned it today; actual pretty clean inside, not really any gunk or dirt. Oiled it and put it back together, trigger feels the same; but I have read these had a stiff trigger in the past.
Did find these stamps on the right side of the frame; I assume the "B" stands for blued (there's a B preceding the serial number on the barrel), but wondering if the "A" has a significance.
Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20241125_123923640.jpg
    IMG_20241125_123923640.jpg
    140.3 KB · Views: 15
Last edited:
EPP said:
Opened it up and cleaned it today; actual pretty clean inside, not really any gunk or dirt. Oiled it and put it back together, trigger feels the same; but I have read these had a stiff trigger in the past.
Did find these stamps on the right side of the frame; I assume the "B" stands for blued (there's a B receding the serial number on the barrel), but wondering if the "A" has a significance.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

The "B" prefix under the barrel indicates it shipped with a blued finish. The "A" and "B" on the grip frame are fitter's marks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EPP
I have a .38 Special version of the exact same revolver that likely shipped at about the same date. BTW, yours is technically not a Model of 1905, as S&W ceased using that nomenclature about 1915. Yours would have been cataloged as a .32-20 (or .32 WCF) Military and Police model, square butt. I also have a ca. 1926 .32-20 M&P. For reasons not entirely clear, the .32-20 M&Ps were serial numbered separately from the .38 Special M&Ps.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: EPP
dwh said it all. I have the .32 Winchester, then along came the .32W.C.F. I then acquired a 32-20, but it was nickel plated, something that I just can't get used to. Sold it this last weekend and am now in the market for another 32-20 market revolver, only blue.
 
glowe said:
The OP stated the serial number. 91,XXX, which should have shipped in 1920 - 1921.Yes, stocks are 1920 to 1930, but by itself, no guarantee that they were not replaced. The frame does not have a MADE IN USA stamp which was ordered in May 1922. That is a nice 32 Military & Police, 4th Change revolver. The barrel should be stamped 32 WCF since the 32-20 marking did not exist until about 1922-23.
Click to expand...

There’s a lot of meat in this sandwich! 😋

I see Mr. Op (EPP) is no stranger to the family.

And the SINGLE SHOT RIFLES
My old heart skipped a couple beats when I saw the Stock on the upper most rifle, Wow that wood grain! I TRY to stay focused on S&Ws (easier to store) but have wandered off the reservation before. Don’t tempt me dwh

The 4th change guns 1915-1940 in 32-20 Winchester in the 65,701 - 144,xxx serial number range are an interesting study.
The pre WW One era guns are included in this range. The development of the Big 45 N frame took center stage for few years and the improvements filtered out to the K frames after WW1.
Lots of little details and “changes within these 4th change 32-20s for 2-3 years 1919/20 - 1923 after WW1
The USA stamp is a quick visual guide, of post War one.
Improved sights appear 1923 ?
First forcing cone 1922?
Patent marks on hammers triggers 1926?

You’re been warned,,,, before
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2186.jpg
    IMG_2186.jpg
    62.7 KB · Views: 13
  • IMG_0105.jpg
    IMG_0105.jpg
    93.6 KB · Views: 15
  • IMG_0090.jpg
    IMG_0090.jpg
    68.1 KB · Views: 9
4K2022 said:
There’s a lot of meat in this sandwich! 😋

I see Mr. Op (EPP) is no stranger to the family.

And the SINGLE SHOT RIFLES
My old heart skipped a couple beats when I saw the Stock on the upper most rifle, Wow that wood grain! I TRY to stay focused on S&Ws (easier to store) but have wandered off the reservation before. Don’t tempt me dwh

You’re been warned,,,, before
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information; much appreciated.
I must admit the improved sights would have been welcomed by my older eyes, perhaps next time.
I am also running out of storage place, but I have mastered careful and creative storage.
Aside from a Beretta Model 81 in 32 acp, this is my only other 32.
A model 94 in 32spl with a 2xx,xxx serial number, have I've owned 40+ yrs.
 

Attachments

  • 20210113_132534.jpg
    20210113_132534.jpg
    174.7 KB · Views: 17
  • 20210113_132227.jpg
    20210113_132227.jpg
    167.8 KB · Views: 7
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

jsfricks
S&W 32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 Fourth Change 5”
Replies
6
Views
715
DWalt
DWalt
M
I need some 32-20 5 screw advice
2 3
Replies
49
Views
2K
M5741
M
C
629 pre lock single action problem
Replies
12
Views
385
Colt Commander
C
moosedog
S&W 32/20 HE of 1905
Replies
15
Views
707
dwh
dwh
Born2saw
S&W .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1905, 2nd change
Replies
15
Views
1K
Muley Gil
M

Latest posts

Back
Top