Help me date an old beater 32-20

[johnfreeman]

I purchased a very worn 5 screw, 6" barrel 32-20 , SN 87232. Strain screw is present. Square butt hand ejector

I've not had the (butchered) stocks off yet to see if they're marked to the SN of the revolver, but that's coming soon.

Can anyone tell me that approx. age?

Regardless of being almost brown , the bore looks not bad and the lockup is decent.

Thanks
John

 

[DWalt]

It would probably have shipped in mid-1920. The .32-20 M&Ps were serial numbered separately from those in .38 Special. If it shoots, it's good.

 

[glowe]

In 1920, factory stocks would have been transitioning from gold medalion round top diamond walnut service stocks to plain convex round top diamond walnut service stocks, so either could be original on your revolver.

 

[johnfreeman]

These still have the gold medallion round top stocks. Unfortunately someone appears to have at some point decided to try and remove the checkering with an angle grinder or dremel. It's a mess ( and the finish of the pistol is rough ) but the bore and the chambers look quite shootable after some good cleaning.

It's an interesting cartridge I've never shot before, so I'll have to work up some softball cast loads for them. I did find some reloadable brass.

 

[DWalt]

It's not too unusual to find a fairly nice pair of the round-top no-medallion grips from the 1920s decade on eBay for $50 or less. A good pair of grips of the style you already have will be somewhat more than that. In 1920, either grip style could be original. If you want to shoot a .32-20, reloading is far the best approach, as factory ammunition is difficult to find at retail stores. My standard .32-20 load is a 100 grain .313" cast lead bullet (Missouri Bullet Co.) over 3.5 grains of Bullseye. If you do not have dies, I recommend Lee dies.

 

[johnfreeman]

Thanks, I plan to shoot only my handloads. I'll pick up a set of Lee dies, and I already found brass. I was able to replenish my BE supply recently after a year of drought, so all I need to do is find some cast 100g and I s/b good to go. I appreciate the help

 

[JP@AK]

I purchased a very worn 5 screw, 6" barrel 32-20 , SN 87232

For a reference point, .32-20 HE serial number 81287 came off the assembly line in September, 1919. It was the first to get a heat treated cylinder. So DWalt's estimate of mid-year 1920 for yours is probably dead-on.

Incidentally, all .32-20 HE revolvers after about 1905 had five screws. These revolvers were never made after the war, so they did not ever lose the fifth and fourth screws like other models did.

 

[glowe]

32-20 is a fun round to shoot. They are fast, with a light bullet and give an interesting report when shot. My favorite load is 115 gn LRN and 2.8 gn 700X. This gives around 940 fps in my 6 1/2".

 

[JP@AK]

32-20 is a fun round to shoot. They are fast, with a light bullet and give an interesting report when shot. My favorite load is 115 gn LRN and 2.8 gn 700X. This gives around 940 fps in my 6 1/2".

Okay. I can't help myself!
Here is a rare Model of 1902 Target .32-20 HE (4 screw) from my collection. It shipped in 1904. Stocks are incorrect, dating from sometime after 1911.

 

[glowe]

. . . Stocks are incorrect, dating from sometime after 1911.

I got a well used set of RB hard rubber stocks around here somewhere and will trade you for those "incorrect" wood stocks.

 

[johnfreeman]

That's as pretty as this rat is going to get without some new stocks.

Bore is clean though and are cylinders. The stocks do appear to be original to the frame, based on the fragment of pencil marks I see there.

 

[DWalt]

As noted previously, the stocks could well be original. But it sure looks like they have been worn smooth on both sides. That is a little unusual to have symmetrical wear. Someone may have sanded off the checkering at some time.

 

[JohnRippert]

I think it looks "right" with those stocks. I'd leave it as is.

A worn set of Tylers will make it fill the hand much better.

 

[JP@AK]

I got a well used set of RB hard rubber stocks around here somewhere and will trade you for those "incorrect" wood stocks.

Nice try, Gary!
Sorry. I like them too much to trade them off. The letter on this gun says it shipped with black hard rubber and I would not mind purchasing a decent pair for it, but I have no intention of letting these go. They are made of Circassian walnut and are in excellent condition. They will remain in my collection and probably on this gun for many years to come!

 

[Gordyf808]

Where did you find the brass??
I am looking for a couple hundred pieces.
I have a 5" 1922 vintage example
Thanx
Gordy

 

[JP@AK]

Can't speak for others, but I've accumulated my .32-20 brass as follows:
1. Some time back, I bought a few boxes of factory ammo, before the price went through the roof. This allows me to reload once-fired brass.
2. About 6 or 7 months ago, I stumbled on two bags of brand new Winchester brass at a big box sporting goods store. Grabbed it!

Also, I believe Starline may sell .32-20 brass. If so, it is good stuff and can be purchased on line.

Good luck!

 

[DWalt]

Get on the internet and look. The last .32-20 I bought came from Midway, but that was over a year ago. Might also try Graf's, or buy direct from Starline (but I think the minimum quantity from them is 500 - if they have it). There are lots of small fired brass dealers around. Like Gold, .32-20 brass is where you find it.

 

[glowe]

Remington still makes 32-20 ammo that will work in your revolver. I have no idea why they put "Express Rifle" on the box, but it chronographs at 900 fps in my 6 1/2" barrel revolver.

Winchester, HSM, and some European companies make this ammo, but since it is not very popular, who knows when they will get around to producing new lots.

 

[JP@AK]

The last time I was in Houston, Collectors Firearms had a couple boxes of Winchester Brand .32-20 ammo. But the asking price was $90 per box. I passed! They also had .218 Bee for the same price

 

[johnfreeman]

I found the brass via a posting on the Cast Boolits forum. I have not actually received it yet, so I'm not counting chicks yet... but I'm hopeful.
Have dies ready to go too. I'll find some .313 bullets and give it a try.

Re: another response, I think the abused stocks match the rest of the (abused) gun. I'll enjoy it as - is I think.