I walked into a pawn shop today and they have what was written on the tag a 1905 Hand Ejector in .32-20, round butt with wood grips and what looked to me like a 5" or 6" barrel. It did not have the half moon front sight but one that had a small red plastic bead style that looked original and not aftermarket-- looks just exactly like the front sight on the Model 17 in a thread a few down from this one asking about its' grips-the rear sight was the typical groove in the frame fixed sight. Is that an original front sight? The gun has some patina but no pitting, the grips have a diamond on the middle and are in good shape. They want $425 for it. Is this a decent deal or would you pass?

Unless this is a very rare critter due to the front sight or some other consideration that is a tad high in my humble opinion, by maybe $100-150 dollars. There are however many on this site who are MUCH MORE EXPERT than I in this area.

I thought it was a tad high but I've never seen another with that type of front sight. Since it is a .32/20 it is a K frame right?

K frame.I'd pass.

what I really want is a 3 1/4" I frame--do those come in .32/20 or only .32 Long? But if this is kinda rare I might think about the longer barrel model.

seattleM29, the I frames do not come in 32-20. You will have to get a K-frame for that. John

thanks John--well guess I can just get that K frame in that caliber or go down to the .32 Long. After looking at prices on these guns at various places they go anywhere from $150 for a beater to upwards of $1,200 for pristine ones. Sorry for what is probably another dumb question but what is the difference between a 1902 and a 1905 model-they look almost the same to me?

The factory considered all round butt K frames with the ejector rod lug to be 1902s and the later square butt frames to be 1905s.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thank you so much Gil. I'm not a hardcore S&W collector YET but I think I really need to pick up the Standard Catalog of S&W book at the next gun show or online. I kinda have in mind what I want--I want shooters so a little bluing wear is not as big a factor to me as it would for the high end collectors but at the same time I don't want to buy a overpriced dog.

My guess is that the front sight is an aftermarket addition of some sort because the rear sight is not adjustable. What would be the point of having a fancy front sight installed and having no rear adjustment? I just does not fit. Possible, sure, but not likely.

The K frame .32-20s are interesting guns. They were surrounded by a lot of folklorish claims when they were popular. Things like: "it will shoot clean through a man." Of course, that was before the advent of true magnum handgun cartridges and probably involved the use of the "rifle only" cartridges that are discouraged today.

I like to shoot my guns which is why I have refrained from taking the .32-20 plunge. It sounds like fun but I have enough trouble stoking the more common stuff that I already have.

Of course, this sentiment is exactly why .32-20 K frames tend to sit for longer and bring less than comparable .38 Special chambered M&Ps. A collectible gun may bring more simply because it is less common, but there is just not the same market for pawn shop "shooters." Such guns are so hard to move that I have heard more sellers than not claim such fanciful things as they will safely fire any .32 ammunition...do not worry about the cracked cases and rough ejection.

Maybe I am wrong but I just see a very limited market for these guns which is why I recommend never paying even a slightly questionable price for one unless it is a verifiable collectible.

+1 on that! The SCSW is loaded with info. As far as a "dumb" question, the only one that falls into that category is the one you never ask! And this is the best place to ask questions. The folks here are so helpful and knowledgeable. Between the book and this place, you're sure to get answers! And you're sure to become addicted!

__________________
Misty

More info on 1902 vs 1905:

Yes, techically, per the early catalogs, Model of 1905 was the introduction of the square butt. Most reference books, though, separate them based on screw changes and barrel shank threads.
A Model of 1902, no change will have the smaller I or J frame thread barrel shank (.500) and will be straight.
A Model of 1902, first change will have the tapered barrel and same threaded shank size (.540) as a modern K frame (but still not the 5th screw).
A Model of 1905 will have the 5th screw in front of the trigger guard. Prior to this, they are sometimes referred to as a pre-5 screw 4 screw frame.

That's my take on it. Some die hard collectors will refer to them slightly differently, but that's how most of the book writers see it.

__________________
Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

I also see there is a 1903 Model and can be in either .32 Long or .32/20. S&W & Colt both sure made a lot of handguns that were essentially the same gun but with just a small difference in size or stocks-my Colt Army Special darn near looks the same size as a Police Positive--it makes collecting fun though.