Help identify my new S&W

[jimmyrayyoung]

Recent addition to my collection is this hand ejector with no model number on the yoke. The butt plate is stamped 51720, the barrel is stamped 32 Winchester CTG, barrel is 4", has fixed sights, has strain screw and it is a 5 screw frame.

 

[Jim Watson]

It is the .32-20 version of the Military & Police, probably 80-100 years old. Somebody will come along and say just what variant and how old.

It has been aftermarket nickel plated - easy to tell because S&W does not plate the hammer or trigger - and has low dollar value from collectors.

Ammunition is available but expensive compared to .38s.

 

[Old TexMex]

Third change (1909-1915) 20,499 manufactured

I can't see the stocks clearly, but the gold medallions look correct.

I was advised not to shoot modern .32-20 ammo in mine, as per the SC of S&W 3rd edition.

 

[Alk8944]

Your gun is a Model 1905 "Winchester Model" manufactured ca. late 1911-early 1912. While it is mechanically identical to the .38 Special "Military & Police Model" it is a separate model.

There is no reason to not use "modern" .32-20 ammunition because there is no such thing! All currently manufactured .32-20 is loaded so as to be usable in any firearm chambered for it, revolver or rifle. At one time there was a load intended for the Model 1892 Winchester or equivalent Marlin rifles, but it has not been made for over 50 years. It has a round-nose jacketed hollow-point bullet, where all other .32-20 ammunition has flat-pointed bullets. Anything with flat-point bullets is OK as long as the revolver is in safe mechanical condition.

 

[JP@AK]

Hi
Alk8944 is absolutely correct about the ammunition. There is no reason in the world to not use currently manufactured ammo in your revolver, assuming it is mechanically sound.

As for the shipping date, I have one listed at serial number 51988 that shipped in August, 1912. I would think that yours shipped sometime very close to that month and year, keeping in mind that they did not ship in serial order.

 

[DWalt]

If you plan to shoot it much, it's a good idea to take up reloading if you don't reload at present. The grips appear to be period-correct.

 

[murphydog]

Good information above. The stock panels were originally checkered and someone sanded them smooth.

 

[DWalt]

Good information above. The stock panels were originally checkered and someone sanded them smooth.

I thought that might have been the case.

 

[Old TexMex]

Your gun is a Model 1905 "Winchester Model" manufactured ca. late 1911-early 1912. While it is mechanically identical to the .38 Special "Military & Police Model" it is a separate model.

There is no reason to not use "modern" .32-20 ammunition because there is no such thing! All currently manufactured .32-20 is loaded so as to be usable in any firearm chambered for it, revolver or rifle. At one time there was a load intended for the Model 1892 Winchester or equivalent Marlin rifles, but it has not been made for over 50 years. It has a round-nose jacketed hollow-point bullet, where all other .32-20 ammunition has flat-pointed bullets. Anything with flat-point bullets is OK as long as the revolver is in safe mechanical condition.

Who called it a Winchester model? Did Smith&Wesson? Curious, as Ihave one as well. I did not know about that designation (I referred to the SCS&W), and have used modern manufactured ammo in mine without a problem.

 

[JP@AK]

Who called it a Winchester model? Did Smith&Wesson?

Yes, they did.

 

[Skeetr57]

Jack: Where did they call it a "Winchester Model"? My 1923 catalog calls it Military and Police in .32-20 caliber.

 

[DWalt]

I don't remember seeing the .32-20 advertised as the Winchester Model. I have a 1914 catalog which also calls it a "Military and Police, Model 1905 (or Model 1902), Caliber .32-20", no mention of a Winchester Model. Possibly very early catalogs may have used "Winchester Model." Or it could have been used as an internal factory name.