Date ? on 1905 4th change 32-20

[cztrouba]

Can anyone help me with an approximate date on a 1905 4th change 32-20 ser. # 1172xx?
Thanks Bob

 

[DWalt]

It's hard to say, because S&W manufactured these until the late 1920s, but they were cataloged and sold from factory inventory until 1940 (gun sales were very slow during the Depression). One clue would be the grip type. If the grips are checkered wood with no S&W medallions, it would have shipped in the 1920s (most probably mid-1920s). If they have small silver S&W medallions, then it would have shipped in the 1930s. There were about 144,000 of these made, so yours is toward the tail end of production. Does it have a square or round butt?

 

[cztrouba]

Thanks for the quick reply.
The grips are square butt checkered walnut with no medallion. Bob

 

[DWalt]

Then yours shipped in the 1920s. I have one in the 135xxx range that shipped in 1928. But there is really poor correlation between SN and shipping date, as many products stayed in inventory for a long time. I believe S&W would have put current 1930s grips on any older guns that were shipped in the 1930s.

You may or may not see a penciled SN on the reverse side of the right grip panel. If there, it should match the gun SN.

I love all things .32-20. But I have more .32-20 Colts than S&Ws.

 

[richarwi]

If it helps, I have my granddad's model 1905 HE, 4th change. It shipped on October 19, 1920 with serial number 94,xxx.