32 WCF Revolver

[smithman 10]

I happened upon a K-Frame .32 WCF 6" revolver yesterday in a local gunshop. First one I've ever seen in the flesh.

Didn't know that .32WCF and .32-20 are one and the same caliber!

This piece showed a lot of wear but was tight and seemed to function fine. They want $299 for it - I have no interest in owning it but it did prompt me to do a little reading on the caliber and how it was used both in rifles and pistols when introduced.

Just another facet of Smith and Wesson history.

If I were younger I might have been tempted to buy it, clean it up and load for it, as I understand factory .32-20 is expensive and hard to find.

Serial number 108402.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Unless you roll your own or have deep pockets the 32-20 is difficult. Assuming I am reading the standard catalog right that one went out the door in about 1909, plus or minus a year or so. I am confident better info will come along soon. I have three or four of them, including a Colt Army and a Smith Target as well as a couple of more mundane models. Fortunately I have a fair pile of components so I can actually shoot them once in a while. I may even take the Colt out and qualify with it just for fun this year. Once in a while I fake out the range sergeant by dragging down a relic to shoot for score.

 

[Muley Gil]

Unless you roll your own or have deep pockets the 32-20 is difficult. Assuming I am reading the standard catalog right that one went out the door in about 1909, plus or minus a year or so. I am confident better info will come along soon. I have three or four of them, including a Colt Army and a Smith Target as well as a couple of more mundane models. Fortunately I have a fair pile of components so I can actually shoot them once in a while. I may even take the Colt out and qualify with it just for fun this year. Once in a while I fake out the range sergeant by dragging down a relic to shoot for score.

I'm not positive, but I think that serial number shipped a mite bit later than 1909. Were you looking at the proper range of SNs? The .32-20s have their own serial numbers, separate from the .38 Military & Police revolvers.

Currently, Georgia Arms sells 50 rounds of .32-20 ammo for $42. I saw some at their table at a local gunshow this past weekend.

 

[glowe]

The caliber was originally called 32 WInchester and here are the dates these three stampings were made.

32-20 Barrel Stampings
From 1899 until 1913 - 32 Winchester CTG. (left side of barrel)
From 1914 until 1922 - 32 W C.F. CTG (right side of barrel) between 111,000 & 113,000
From about 1922-23 until the end of production (1940) - 32-20 CTG. (right side of barrel)

 

[JP@AK]

.32 WCF
Serial number 108402.

It most likely left the factory in 1922.

 

[smithman 10]

The gun I saw was stamped on the right side .32 WCF CTG.

 

[DWalt]

For anyone planning to shoot .32-20 much, reloading is essential. At least for most of us who can't afford a buck per shot. Way back when I started loading .32-20, I used 00 Buck pellets for bullets. They worked OK. I also had a Colt 1849, I used 00B pellets in it also.

 

[JP@AK]

The gun I saw was stamped on the right side .32 WCF CTG.

Yes. The highest number I've recorded with the WCF designation is 110915. That unit shipped in August 1924. There are lower numbers with the .32-20 stamp. It was a period of transition from one stamp to the other.

The date/break points listed by Gary in Post #4 are correct.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Yup Muleygirl, you are right. I picked it up as a M&P and not a 32-20. My bad. Too much Green Death for lunch.

 

[Rakkasan13F]

Mine is serial number 88962.

 

[JP@AK]

Mine is serial number 88962.

Probably shipped in 1920.

 

[Rakkasan13F]

There's no doubt it looks to be 105 years old. LOL It shoots just fine, though.

 

[45NUTT]

Ventura munitions & Georgia Arms have 32WCF for about $35 a box