A accidental Aquistion

[gun butcher]

Would first like to say hello as I am new to the forum.
A while back I bought an old trunk at a flea market that didn't have a key and was well and truly locked. It was in great shape and not wanting to tear anything up I left it locked until I could get back home and go thru my skeleton key collection to see if I could open it. Well, I got lucky and you can imagine my surprise when I found the pistol, wrapped in an old pair of pants. Not a bad deal for 40.00.
I would like to find out a little more about it and maybe find a 32-20 barrel to replace the one on it that has been chopped off.
Last Patent date is Feb.6,06
Serial no. is 42xxx
It has been painted black. Most of which came off when I applied oil and a rag.
The no. all match except the grips they have the no. 10893
Seems very solid, closes up tight no shake timing is good.
haven't taken it down yet so I don't know what the inside looks like.
The outside has a little of the paint left and some of what looks to be the original blueing. There is a few areas with minor pitting .
Any help you can give would be very appreciated.

Thanks Gun Butcher ( who didn't butcher this one)

 

[gun butcher]

PIctures

Okay I think I figured out how to post pics. I know you guys like them

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Great find! .32-20s are some of my favorite guns.

Did you get the serial number off of the butt of the revolver?

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

That is an unusual find.

Not to cast a bummer on your parade here, but have you thought about having the local PD run a check on it? After all, it was wrapped up in a rag, inside a locked trunk, and the barrel has been chopped off. Maybe it was being hidden for a reason. I would want to know if it is stolen, or worse yet has been used in some sort of crime before I got too involved in restoring it, for obvious reasons.

Just my two cents.

 

[bagolden]

You know I might be on the crazy side here but.... The barrel is chopped after the locking lug and I'm guessing it is between 3 and 3 1/2" long. I have a personal fondness for the way that looks so I'm biased as well.

I suggest thinking about having a good smith solder a half moon front sight on it and then shoot it a bunch. What you have there is pretty old and must have a neat history. Respecting that history, where someone modified a tool to better fit their needs, by doing the same would be far more valuable to me compared to making it correct. Right now except for the pre-68 Magnas, another part of it's history, it's all original. To me a replacement would decrease it's value. Like I said I may be crazy.

BG

 

[delta-419]

I'm with BAGolden, A nice 1/2 moon front sight would make a super snubnose and could be done for a lot less than a barrel.

 

[bdGreen]

For what I would use that gun for, no front sight would be needed.

Looks fine to me just the way it is.

bdGreen

 

[29aholic]

I am with BD I wouldnt do a thing with it but shoot it...neat gun welcome to the forum

 

[gjamison]

with a story like that, get a front sight on it and shoot the hell out of it. forget about L,I,E info, all they will do is take your gun and you may not see it again...

 

[bananaman]

Hi, who wouldn't like to find something like that? If you want to spend some money, without altering (permanently) add a pair of Crimson Trace Laser Grips. I have them on my M&P. Shop around for a good price. Then you wont have even need a front sight. Welcome to the Forum! Bob

 

[mikelain]

Nice find, good job not buggering the trunk.

 

[jimmyj]

Return to the place of purchase and see if any more of those trunks are available.

 

[gun butcher]

Thanks

Hey, I appreciate all the imput. I did take the ser.no. off the butt and all the numbers match. I tried the gun out and she shoots great out to 10 yards, pretty much right to POA. From the look of the stuff in the trunk she had not been in the light of day for a long time.
I may just do what youall suggested and just put a sight on her. The better half, who is 5 ft. tall, likes the balance and shots it really well so I might just leave it alone. The only thing that bothers me is the name on the top of the barrel is half gone.
Any Ideas on a date or why it was painted black and are those grips right for it?

 

[bagolden]

Don't have my book handy for a date range, hopefully someone here has one lettered close to yours. I would think the paint was there for long term corrosion prevention. Depending on what all was in the trunk, maybe someone passed away and their stuff was locked away for safe keeping??

 

[scha]

The date for serial 42XXX should be 1906-1907.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[cgt4570]

No, those grips are much too new. They are post-WW2 from the 50's and 60s.
Correct grips would be the early non-medallion concave service style (not extended magnas like the ones on it).
No idea why someone would paint it???
I'm with the others. Have a correct style front sight added and shoot it. Modern production .32-20 ammo is perfectly safe for it.
Yes, the sight will cover part of the patent info, and that bugs me too, but it isn't going to hurt the value. That's been killed by the cut barrel and the paint.
As to finding a good correct barrel for it, it won't be easy. I have a brand new target barrel but I would need at least $200 for it.
Most take-off barrels you find in .32-20 have heavily pitted bores.

 

[gun butcher]

Thanks for the help on the date Steve.
Chris I think I will just put a sight on it and enjoy plinking with it.
The guy that I bought the trunk from was under the impression that there were a few old books and some clothes in the trunk, nothing of value, that is why he didn't force the lock. And he was mostly right except for the gun.
The paint really intrigues me because what is left looks very professionally done. Oh well I am not the first one to wish these old pieces could talk.

 

[TennTony]

What a great tale. I'm with the majority opinion. The last time I got a $40 gun was the mid 70's. Congratulation.

 

[Major 2]

Welcome GB ..glad you made it over...
I was in the process of cleaning my Dads old 4th Change
when I saw you post over at CasCity.

I had though I would have to replace the barrel (4 1/2") on that gun too
as I though it was pitted.
Turns out just 40 + years of storage in an old sock !
It's clean now and bright...

Finding this BB and your post has me all wired up to shoot it again
last time was about 1965 or so...

I've posted more about mine in another thread, I'll keep an eye out for your barrel need.

 

[gun butcher]

Thanks Major, Very good idea to come here great bunch of people. I usually hunt for the old nonworking guns because I can get them cheap and I love working on them. Its a win-win kind of deal. if I can make them work they are usually shooters.This one was just a total surprise.