32 Winchester HE date

[Joe A.]

I would like to know date of S&W Hand Ejector Target 32 win. Serial # 29xxx, no pins for extractor star, adjustable sights, square grips. 6.5 inch barrel. Matching serial numbers.

It has the smooth grips. Would they be correct or would the checkered grips be correct?

Thanks

 

[wheelgun610]

That serial range would likely be 1906-'07 production. That also falls into the range of what you might hear referred to as the Model of 1905 - 1st change.

Stocks during that time frame (up 'till about 1910) would've been checkered with no medallions, and a 'concave' area at the top (where medallions would be on later stocks).

Maybe the pic will upload below, and you'll see what the correct stocks should look like. These aren't easy to find....

Mark

 

[DWalt]

I would say it shipped in 1907 from other .32-20 Model 1905s fairly close-by on my SN list. You have the story on the correct stocks - they would not have left the factory smooth. It was not too unusual for users to sand the stocks smooth, but the convex depression on the rounded top end would identify them as being pre-1911. Otherwise, we'd have to see a picture before rendering an opinion. The earliest .32-20 revolvers had a caliber stamping on the barrel of .32 Winchester, followed later by .32 WCF, and finally .32-20. All are different names for the same cartridge.

.32-20 ammunition is still loaded, but is difficult to find, and expensive, at around $1 per round. Note that the .32-20 K-frame revolvers were serial numbered separately from those which are chambered in .38 Special.

.32-20 Target model revolvers are highly sought after and will bring a premium price if in reasonably good original condition. Not many were made.

 

[Joe A.]

The S&W revolver I'm asking about, would it be safe to shoot being pre heat treatment? The revolver is in very good + to excellent condition except some wobble at end of cylinder. The wobble is rather surprising since there is no end shake at all. The bore looks perfect with sharp rifling and brightest, but needing a cleaning. The finish is great for a 114 year old revolver.

From the replies I agree the grips has been replaced.

Thanks again,

Joe

 

[DWalt]

The S&W revolver I'm asking about, would it be safe to shoot being pre heat treatment? The revolver is in very good + to excellent condition except some wobble at end of cylinder. The wobble is rather surprising since there is no end shake at all. The bore looks perfect with sharp rifling and brightest, but needing a cleaning. The finish is great for a 114 year old revolver.

From the replies I agree the grips has been replaced.

Thanks again,

Joe

It should be safe to fire any currently manufactured .32-20 ammunition in it. You may be warned about the "Dangerous" .32-20 high velocity rifle load, but those have not been factory loaded for over 50 years, and you are extremely unlikely to run across any of those. The current Remington .32-20 ammunition is labeled on the box as "Rifle" , but it is perfectly safe to use in any revolver.

 

[adowns]

32-20 cylinders should be stronger than 38 special cylinders in the same size revolver. To me, 32-20 cylinders look like 38 special cylinders in a 38/44 heavy duty revolver ... thick cylinder walls!

 

[DWalt]

Indeed, there is a lot of metal around a K-frame .32-20 chamber. There is no doubt about its safety even under high chamber pressures.

 

[Muley Gil]

Back about 40 years ago, Guns & Ammo published a small book written by Jeff Cooper. The good colonel listed some of his favorite loads, including a .32-20 recipe that used a bunch of 2400. I loaded some up and used them in a pre World War One S&W. They were loud and bucked a little bit. IIRC, the primers flattened out nicely. :0

Once they were gone, I didn't push my luck again.