.32-20 Model of 1905, 4th Change

[22lrfan]

Found this one on consignment at a local shop today. Bore looks good and it's tight. Numbers match on the frame, barrel, cylinder, yoke and ejector star. Couldn't find any numbers on the stocks. SN is 117904. 4th change was produced from 1915-1940. I'm guessing this one's around 1930-31. SCSW says "...some revolvers have been observed with "32-20 CTG" markings...." on the barrel. This one has that. I got it home and took a few photos so I haven't had time to clean it up yet. I may have overpaid at $450 plus tax but I like .32-20's and this is the first one I've found around here in years.

 

[JP@AK]

117904 probably shipped in 1923, based on several on my list, in that serial range.

After about mid-year 1922, the barrel legend was .32-20 CTG. From about 1914 to 1922, it said, .32 WCF CTG, and before that 32 Winchester CTG.

 

[22lrfan]

Thanks. That's a lot earlier than I thought.

 

[Muley Gil]

Thanks. That's a lot earlier than I thought.

While the .32-20 revolvers were kept in the catalog until just before WW II, it has been posted here on the Forum it is believed that total production ended around 1929-30. Serial numbers go up into 144K.

 

[AC Man]

Looks like a nice gun for a good price. I know the the non medallion grips were in 1920's on the 38 M & P

 

[Model19man]

I do not think you overpaid but ammo can be pricey if you do not already have at least some brass.

 

[DWalt]

The wooden grips are of the style S&W used throughout the 1920s decade, so they are probably original to it. S&W would have advertised and cataloged yours as the ".32-20 Military and Police", not as the Model of 1905 or 1902. That stopped around 1915. The M&P revolvers in .32-20 and .38 Special were always serial numbered in separate sequences, meaning that up to about SN 144xxx, you could find two M&Ps in different calibers having the same SN. Indeed at present, .32-20 ammunition is a scarce commodity, difficult to locate, and will be expensive when you do. As previously said, earlier (pre-1922) caliber stampings on the barrel would have been ".32 Winchester", then, ".32 WCF". Revolvers having those barrel stampings will sometimes be referred to as "Winchester Models" by collectors. While S&W made only the M&P in .32-20, Colt made a somewhat larger array of different revolver models chambered in that caliber.

 

[4K2022]

The improvement of sights ,, on a 32-20 stamped barrel compared to a 32WCF stamped 4th change barrel.

 

[DWalt]

The improvement of sights ,, on a 32-20 stamped barrel compared to a 32WCF stamped 4th change barrel.

I am not sure of an exact date, but S&W did widen the M&P's fixed front and rear sights sometime around the mid-1920s. That improved the sight picture somewhat. I don't know if that was done on all revolver models or just the K-frames. The old narrow sights are a challenge to use.

 

[SS336]

I think you bought it for a good price. I would have at that price.

 

[rct269]

And it was said, "They'll shoot plum through a man!"

Ralph Tremaine

 

[22lrfan]

The improvement of sights ,, on a 32-20 stamped barrel compared to a 32WCF stamped 4th change barrel.

My 4th Change has a sight channel like the one on the left. My 3rd Change is like the right one.

 

[22lrfan]

The wooden grips are of the style S&W used throughout the 1920s decade, so they are probably original to it. S&W would have advertised and cataloged yours as the ".32-20 Military and Police", not as the Model of 1905 or 1902. That stopped around 1915. The M&P revolvers in .32-20 and .38 Special were always serial numbered in separate sequences, meaning that up to about SN 144xxx, you could find two M&Ps in different calibers having the same SN. Indeed at present, .32-20 ammunition is a scarce commodity, difficult to locate, and will be expensive when you do. As previously said, earlier (pre-1922) caliber stampings on the barrel would have been ".32 Winchester", then, ".32 WCF". Revolvers having those barrel stampings will sometimes be referred to as "Winchester Models" by collectors. While S&W made only the M&P in .32-20, Colt made a somewhat larger array of different revolver models chambered in that caliber.

My 3rd Change has the ".32 Winchester" barrel marking. I never realized they changed it over the years.

 

[22lrfan]

I do not think you overpaid but ammo can be pricey if you do not already have at least some brass.

Luckily I've got plenty of ammo. I've been loading .32-20 for years. Currently I have 4 rifles and 6 handguns in .32-20.

 

[Drm50]

I lost track of how many 32/20 revolvers I've had. Finding one that prints sights is like finding a Diamond in a Goats Butt. Not to long ago got rid of nice Colt Army Special which was in 90% had been shot very little. Disappointing it did 6" at 7:00 at 50', nothing I could do with it except divorce it.

 

[Hawg Rider]

That's a nice .32-20 M&P, and I think you paid a fair price. Mine is also a 1923 (s/n 118705) with ".32-20 CTG" stamped on the barrel, but has a little more wear than yours. And yes, those are original stocks. I paid $475 on GB a couple of years ago, so you did OK. I don't reload, so finding ammo can be challenging. I've gotten some good accuracy results using Cowboy Action ammo (HSM and Black Hills, RNFP, 115 gr.) whenever I can get some...enjoy!

 

[smithra_66]

Nice little gun. I have a nickel 2nd change with 6.5" barrel made in '07. It currently serves as my only double action, black powder-only firearm!

 

[4K2022]

Here's all three barrel stamps

 

[Model19man]

Here's all three barrel stamps

Yup. They are like that early on. My roll stamp is a little different than your first one.

 

[Old Corp]

I was really hankering for an M&P in .32-20 and was late to the show to get one I liked. Finally, found one on GB in my state and made the drive. Probably paid a little too much, but it's a nice example.
A 5" with s/n 127xxx, and a study of the SCSW is not a huge help in determining a year. So my 'sort - of guess' is late 1920's?

It was the square notch rear sight, barrel mark of '.32-20 CTG'.

I was all pumped to load for it, ordered dies, bullets, etc and then found brass to be unobtainium. I have a pitifully small supply.
Having shot it some with 115 gr RNFP cast bullets, it definitely requires a 6 o'clock hold.

 

[4K2022]

Yup. They are like that early on. My roll stamp is a little different than your first one.

This is a Square Butt conversation!
Are you trying to stir up,, some?

 

[JP@AK]

A 5" with s/n 127xxx, and a study of the SCSW is not a huge help in determining a year. So my 'sort - of guess' is late 1920's?

For a reference point, 127612 shipped in May, 1927.

 

[Model19man]

This is a Square Butt conversation!
Are you trying to stir up,, some?

Actually mine has the round butt.

 

[Muley Gil]

Actually mine has the round butt.

The 1899 S&Ws only came in round butt configuration.

 

[Dvus]

I had one of these several years ago, but was afraid to shoot it because I had heard that only ones built after a certain date were safe with modern ammo. I had no idea when that date was, or when mine was made, so I let it go to someone who really wanted it. I wish that I had kept it.

 

[4K2022]

The barrel remains straight on the 1902, until the 1st change. After that, I believe it is safe to say it never changes.

 

[4K2022]

I had one of these several years ago, but was afraid to shoot it because I had heard that only ones built after a certain date were safe with modern ammo. I had no idea when that date was, or when mine was made, so I let it go to someone who really wanted it. I wish that I had kept it.

The heat treated cylinders on the 32-20 gets a lot of attention. The time period was after WWI, (1920) so by that time the 1905 4th change is the only model. So,, no round butts!

The serial number range for the 4th change model began at 65701 and the heat treatment began at 81287. More than half of all 32-20s are the square butt 1905 4th change. But not all have heat treated cylinders. However IF the barrel is marked 32-20 and has the improved sights it is.

 

[Swissfan]

I picked up the blued 6" a few weeks ago. Not quite as nice as yours but couldn't resist. I had (2) 32-20s already, a nickel 6" that's looks rough, but shoots and a nickel 4". I have not shot the nickel 4" or the blued 6" yet. Oh, I forgot, 527 rounds of ammo was included with the blued 6".