.32-20 Hand Ejector Model 1902 First Change

[JP@AK]

Presence of MADE IN U.S.A. stamp means after 1922. Shape of ejector rod knob mans before 1928. I'm not sure when the .32 W.C.F. stamp was changed to .32-20, but leaving that aside I'm thinking mid-1920s for this specimen. Which is beautiful, by the way. As others have said, wrong stocks. With a strong light and good eyesight, you might be able to pull the pencil serial number off the inside of the panel and figure out what gun they were on first.

I have only one .32-20, a refinished 1915 specimen. If I ever came across one like yours, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

I certainly agree fully with David's last statement.

On the extractor rod knob, 1927 is about right for the .38 M&P. But we've seen the early style knob on .32-20 HEs that shipped later. My thinking on that is that one of two things were going on:
Either barrels were made up ahead of assembly and had the double step machining on them, so older style extractor rods were held back to fit them, and they appeared on .32-20 HEs that were shipped later.
Or else, the rods were just held back because they didn't want to change the machining process for this particular model, which by that time was not selling as well as the .38 M&P. (I tend to favor the first theory.)
I have yet to see a single example of a .32-20 HE with the barrel shaped knob - they may exist, but I haven't seen one that I can recall. If someone has one, I'd like to see a photo of it.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

Presence of MADE IN U.S.A. stamp means after 1922.

This, of course, fits with the barrel legend, as I mentioned in my earlier post.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

Mike - proper year range for large gold medallion stocks are 1911 to 1920. It is always possible to find an earlier stock on a later revolver, but after 3 or more years into the 20s my guess is still
non-medallion walnut.

Agreed!
Jack

 

[DCWilson]

To Jack's point about the knobs, I have heard it said that most .32-20 frames and parts had been produced by about 1930, and that while there may have been periods of assembly during that decade, there was virtually no new production. Most .32-20s sold during the 1930s appear to have been made up quite a bit earlier.

 

[Masterpiece]

Of course there are overlaps because of leftover parts, but the legend 32-20 CTG did not appear until late 1922 or early 1923.

Jack,
That certainly clears up why I've observed quite a few revolvers scattered throughout the 100,000 & up Serial No. Range with both styles of these Caliber Markings on their Barrels!! Thanks, I appreciate it!!

 

[A10]

A letter sounds like a good idea, given the proliferation of permutations posed by the participating posters. Really nice find Tony! There is a lot of wear on the grips, but the gun doesn't seem to reflect the same use. It will be interesting to see where it was shipped.

 

[owenwd54]

What barrel lengths where available in the 32 20 ?

 

[glowe]

What barrel lengths where available in the 32 20 ?

Early 1902 and 1905 revolvers were 4", 5", and 6 1/2". Second Change 32-20, 4", 5", 6", and 6 1/2. Third Change 4" and 6". Fourth Change, 4", 5", and 6".

 

[Fredo Batali]

Thanks for the great comments and the education. You guys are the best. I will letter this one and see when it shipped. Here's a couple of more pics. I shot the barrel flat and cylinder to show that it hasn't been re-barreled. I also took a shot of the patent dates and one shot because, I liked it

De Oppresso Liber

 

[daddy bear]

I have my sweet wife's grandfather's nickel 5" .32WCF CTG 737xx. Which was previously dated 1919. The old gentleman bought it new, took good care of it, still nice, worth a set of numbered grips that have a gold medallion and are finely checkered. Both her father and brother were not handgun people, so use has been infrequent since Grandaddy passed away in 1964. I also have the old gentleman's LC Smith double from about 1900 with steel barrels. It has been used
a LOT for almost a hundred years, before retired to a place of honor. It still works fine and could be pressed into service.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

I have my sweet wife's grandfather's nickel 5" .32WCF CTG 737xx. Which was previously dated 1919

That date may be correct. The key reference point is serial number 81287, which was produced in September, 1919. This was the first serial number for a .32-20 with a heat treated cylinder. So, it seems to me that #737xx could be early in 1919 or possibly sometime in 1918. Almost certainly no earlier than that. And 32 W.C.F. CTG would be the correct barrel marking for this period.

 

[DWalt]

I show two which are close: 72xxx (shipped late 1916) and 77xxx (shipped mid 1917). As yours is between these, early 1917 seems logical as a shipping date. S&W was pretty much out of the civilian handgun manufacturing business during WWI, resuming in early-mid 1919. A factory letter ($50) is the only way to know for sure.