erikpolcrack
US Veteran
I'd like some help getting a manufacture date on this revolver. It is blued, round butt, six-shot, and has a 5-inch barrel. It is marked on the left rear of the barrel 32 Winchester Cartridge. SN is 663.
32-20 Hand Ejector
- Thread starter erikpolcrack
- Start date
Could you post some pictures, Erik?
Yes, Erik, pictures would be VERY welcome. If it is in original and top condition, it is a great find.
There should be no locking lug in front of the extractor rod and no screw in the front of the trigger guard. Four screws in the sideplate are the only frame screws. The stocks should be black hard rubber.
Please post several clear photographs.
There should be no locking lug in front of the extractor rod and no screw in the front of the trigger guard. Four screws in the sideplate are the only frame screws. The stocks should be black hard rubber.
Please post several clear photographs.
OP
erikpolcrack
US Veteran
I'm sorry guys, but I cannot do pictures, and none of my kids that could do it are visiting at the moment. I bought this gun for around $200 on GunBroker as a shooter. Unlike the rest of the world, I have tons of 32-20 ammo, and have been looking for a S&W to go with my Colt Police Positive Special 32-20. I had no idea it would have a 3-digit SN. It is far from pristine but is fine mechanically. I think you can see it on GunBroker. It was Item # 917645334.
Muley Gil
US Veteran
If the number you posted is on the frame, behind the yoke, that is an assembly number. The serial number is stamped on the butt.
Wow! What a buy! Congratulations!
gregintenn
Member
I kinda want to see this one.
Images are below. The gun is a 32 Winchester Military, 1st Model that could have shipped in any of the first two years it was manufactured. The ship dates for this model were not anywhere near in order with the serial number, since I think inventory was high and sales were slow. That is the first Duracoat Model 1899 I have ever seen, but probably the right finish for a gun with pretty deep pitting.
There also appears to be a barrel that is bent up from the frame. I have seen this in other 1899s, but it really looks like it is misaligned with the barrel. Maybe a police gun that was also used as a billy-club??
There also appears to be a barrel that is bent up from the frame. I have seen this in other 1899s, but it really looks like it is misaligned with the barrel. Maybe a police gun that was also used as a billy-club??
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OP
erikpolcrack
US Veteran
There is no evidence of a frame/barrel alignment problem when the revolver is function-checked. The cylinder rotates normally with no drag in both SA and DA. The cylinder gap is even and appears the same in all six positions. And yes, the SN was read off the frame from the underside of the butt. There is an assembly number (2040) on the front inside of the frame and on the cylinder crane.
A good buy for 2 and a quarter! Not in collector condition, but I'd have bought it at that price. 
