Saw this at my local gun shop and just could not leave for home without it! 6 inch barrel with strong bore, cylinder chambers are nice and clean BUT it appears to have been re-finished at some point in the past and I do think the grips are reproduction are there are no markings on the inside ( and they are just too nice condition!). I traded into it and I got a somkin deal even if it's refinish. So, I am thinking it is a first model 1905, the adjustable rear sight looks original along with the front sight. Any help would be appreciated!!
Help with I D on my new to me 32/20 HE
- Thread starter Drifter Mike
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DWalt
Member
It is a very early Model of 1902 target model. Only the early revolvers (to about 1914) had the “.32 Winchester” caliber stamping on the barrel. Some collectors call such revolvers the “Winchester Model.” It could have been refinished, but if so it looks like a good job. Yours is almost certainly from 1902, maybe 1903. Original hard rubber grips usually had the gun’s SN scratched on the back.
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Model19man
Member
Agree with you on the grips. Still a pretty nice one. A range report is needed.
It is a Model of 1902 target. The stocks are correct, if not original.
Here are some nearby serial numbers with ship dates:
8037, target sights, 5" barrel, shipped March 1904
9097, fixed sights, 5" barrel, shipped August 1903
I agree with DWalt, it appears to have been refinished but someone did an excellent job of it.
Here are some nearby serial numbers with ship dates:
8037, target sights, 5" barrel, shipped March 1904
9097, fixed sights, 5" barrel, shipped August 1903
I agree with DWalt, it appears to have been refinished but someone did an excellent job of it.
Nice old 32. I agree the side plate likes like it has some minor pitting blues over. I would have picked it up. Nice.
It shows signs of a refinish and I would still have it if I saw it...
...Ben
...Ben
I read the serial as 6406. It appears to be upside down in the picture. Here are some known ship dates:
.32 Winchester Model 1902 serial 6388 shipped in July 1903.
.32 Winchester Model 1902 serial 6396 shipped in September 1903.
.32 Winchester Model 1902 serial 6961 shipped in November 1902.
.32 Winchester Model 1902 serial 6388 shipped in July 1903.
.32 Winchester Model 1902 serial 6396 shipped in September 1903.
.32 Winchester Model 1902 serial 6961 shipped in November 1902.
Yes. I didn't catch that. You are correct.
Here is another number:
6436, 6 1/2" target - December 1902
Great find target 1902 32-20s are hard to come by. It looks like the trigger is checkered, if so, could you post a picture of it ?
OP
Checkering of various parts of the gun is not uncommon for these early guns. Sometimes the front and/or back of the butt-frame are checkered along with the trigger. Question is always whether it was factory or by the owner/gunsmith? I have not found much evidence to determine either scenario and tend to think that the factory did some of this work on request. Best determining factor to look for in refinished early 1902 and 1905s is to look at the mushroom ejector knob. They were case hardened and never blued, but yours is blued. This era S&Ws had a threaded knob. Starting with the 38 Model 1905-3rd, around #146,900 & #45,201 in 32 Winchester, the rod and knob became one piece in 1909. After that date, the knobs are blued on blue guns. If you can remove the knob, drop it in rust remover and reinstall to get the appearance of the gun back to original factory appearance. A 38 example of the knob is below along with a checkered trigger.
Your stocks are factory. I can make out a faint patent date line on the bottom of the left stock, which is something you will never find on reproductions. This reads PAT'D JAN. 29, 78 in a semi-circular line. I also think I see a faint "0" on the inside of the right stock?
Your stocks are factory. I can make out a faint patent date line on the bottom of the left stock, which is something you will never find on reproductions. This reads PAT'D JAN. 29, 78 in a semi-circular line. I also think I see a faint "0" on the inside of the right stock?
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oldcop71
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Not to hijack the thread, but I was in the Boaz AL Sand Mtn Pawn shop yesterday and they had an older SW in 32-20 for just over $300 yesterday. I was not interested in that caliber so I didnt ask to see it. Phone is listed as 256.593.7807 if anyone wants to check on it.
Alk8944
US Veteran
A very nice Model 1902 .32 Winchester Target! I cannot see anything in any of your photos that show any indication the gun has been re-finished. Even many factory re-finished S&Ws show the typical rounding of the sideplate seam and screw holes, even if slight! Those areas show as still sharp as they would when the gun was new.
As Jack (JP@AK) said, the stocks are correct to the gun for it's age. Either Hard Rubber or Circassian Walnut stocks were used on the round butt guns. If original the serial number will be found scratched into the inside surface of the right stock. Those stocks are in exceptional condition as the hard rubber gets extremely brittle with age and can break just by shooting the gun, just as MOP can do. Really they look too good to be original, and do not have the SN on the right stock. They are definitely factory, not reproductions, but may have been an early replacement. K-frame factory hard rubber stocks were still used clear until early post WWII on round butt models.
One of my first 2 S&Ws was a 1902 .32 Winchester that was made in 1905. I paid $12 or $15 for it in 1962 or 63. I still have it It has factory MOP stocks that I have always assumed are original, they were on it when I bought it. It is one of several S&W, Colt, Spanish copy and Marlin firearms I own in .32-20.
As Jack (JP@AK) said, the stocks are correct to the gun for it's age. Either Hard Rubber or Circassian Walnut stocks were used on the round butt guns. If original the serial number will be found scratched into the inside surface of the right stock. Those stocks are in exceptional condition as the hard rubber gets extremely brittle with age and can break just by shooting the gun, just as MOP can do. Really they look too good to be original, and do not have the SN on the right stock. They are definitely factory, not reproductions, but may have been an early replacement. K-frame factory hard rubber stocks were still used clear until early post WWII on round butt models.
One of my first 2 S&Ws was a 1902 .32 Winchester that was made in 1905. I paid $12 or $15 for it in 1962 or 63. I still have it It has factory MOP stocks that I have always assumed are original, they were on it when I bought it. It is one of several S&W, Colt, Spanish copy and Marlin firearms I own in .32-20.
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OP
After thinking on it and with some encouragement from a friend, would getting a letter on this be worth the cost??
