Hand Ejector
- Thread starter Detroit-1
- Start date
The star means it went back to the factory for some kind of repair or rework. It could have been a complete refinish. It could have been a simple mechanical repair. You will probably find a date stamp under the stocks. If it says something like 2.52, that would mean it passed thru the service dept. in Feb or 1952.
cgt4570 gave you the correct information on the star.
Your .32-20 HE with serial number 92451 is likely a 1920 gun. I show 90303 shipping in July, 1920, and two in the high 9xxxx range shipping in April of 1921.
The 32 W.C.F. barrel mark was used until about May or June, 1922. After that the caliber stamp said 32-20 CTG.
The actual ship date can only be ascertained by purchasing a letter, since they were frequently shipped out of order.
Muley Gil
US Veteran
Welcome to the Forum.
I have had a .32-20 or two or more since 1975. They are fun guns to shoot.
I have had a .32-20 or two or more since 1975. They are fun guns to shoot.
It is safe to shoot with standard modern loads. It's a bit hard to find but both Rem and Win still make them as well as some cowboy action loads by other companies. You might have to find it online. Midway has it in stock but it's pricey. Cabela's usually has it, too.
Any of these loads would be a fine choice for defense or target shooting. It was considered plenty adequate as a man or pest stopper back in its day. It was even considered a deer cartridge in a rifle way back then.
Even though it is usually listed with rifle ammo, it's all the same and safe in any good Smith or Colt revolver.
Before WW2, there was a hotter 'rifle only' loading made for Win and Marlin lever actions, but it hasn't been produced commercially for decades. It is pretty collectible stuff so it rarely shows up.
Art Doc
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I believe the4 stocks are the type used 1920-29.
Nice revolver. Not sure I would use a 32-20 for defense unless there was nothing better available.
Nice revolver. Not sure I would use a 32-20 for defense unless there was nothing better available.
DWalt
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While yours does have a heat-treated cylinder, for a .32-20, it makes no difference. There is a lot of steel surrounding the chamber holes, far more than needed to contain the pressures of firing a .32-20 cartridge even if made of softer steel. Most who shoot any guns in .32-20 find it is a good idea to load their own. Reloading components (cases and bullets) are more easily found than loaded factory ammunition. It is an extremely nice specimen, far better than most. Take care of it and keep it that way. The only concern I would have is the originality of the finish. It could well be a factory re-blue.
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DWalt
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You got your money's worth and then some. Not long ago, I bought a re-blued .32-20 M&P for somewhat more than that, but that was a special circumstance because of something else about that particular gun.
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JSR III
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Welcome to the forum.
I would agree that the finish looks too good to be original but the roll stamps all look deep. If you have had a chance to pull the stocks, post a photo of the left lower grip frame so we can see if there is a date.
If you want detailed information on when the gun shipped, where it went and what the original configuration was, send for a history letter. Current cost is $75 but since you have so little into the gun it may be a nice addition to the package.
I own 91555 that is a nickel 4" gun that shipped in August of 1920.
I would agree that the finish looks too good to be original but the roll stamps all look deep. If you have had a chance to pull the stocks, post a photo of the left lower grip frame so we can see if there is a date.
If you want detailed information on when the gun shipped, where it went and what the original configuration was, send for a history letter. Current cost is $75 but since you have so little into the gun it may be a nice addition to the package.
I own 91555 that is a nickel 4" gun that shipped in August of 1920.
I vote refinish. The stocks show more wear then the finish.
Muley Gil
US Veteran
The number on the right grip, either penciled or stamped, should match the serial number on the butt. The 5.27 indicates it went back to the factory in May 1927 for some sort of work.
Muley Gil
US Veteran
I used to carry my S&W .32-20 while working the jail at my sheriff's office. I had it loaded with a lead hollow point bullet over 5.5 grains of Unique. This was back in the 1970s.
Detroit-1, there currently isn't a real good self defense load available in .32-20. About the best you can use is the flat point Remington or Winchester standard lead bulleted loads. Two or three of these to the chest would probably ruin somebody's day.
DWalt
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Yes. I don't know why Remington chooses to plant such confusion.
