ID help on a couple S&W

p230

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The top two pictures are one I just got it, it's a 4 screw, fixed site with the tensioning screw. 6.5" barren in 32-20. SN Is 13XXX. Mainly curious about when it was made.

The second is more of an enigma to me. I got it several years ago cheap as a U-Fix ''em from Century. It was missing the front sight which I replaced. It looks to have had a rough life but it was cheap. It's a three screw with the tensioning screw and adjustable sites (although they have seen better days). 3.5" barrel in .357 mag. SN Is N38XXX.

What say you?
 
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Well, your 357 is WAY out of my area of interest-----AND knowledge, so on to the 32-20:

My earliest one was 42094, which was a target (as were all of mine), and shipped December 22, 1908----just in time for Christmas! The 32-20's started up in 1899, and kept on coming until 1940--after 144,684 of them had been made------but not neccesarily sold in any big rush. Yours was made sometime before 1905 in all probability---which is unfortunate.

Yours, as a "4 screw" is blessed (cursed) with the hand ejector action preceding the 1905 action, which I refer to as the "monkey motion" action. While the 1905 (and continuing to this day as far as I know) action utilizes a rebound slide with coil spring to tend to the trigger, the monkey motion action has a great, huge leaf spring which meets with a couple of levers which meet with the trigger to do the same. It works fine---no problem! If/when you might decide to take it apart for a PROPER bath is when the problem arises---unless you're blessed with three hands-----and a pair of "reverse pliers")!. If/when that time comes, let me know, and I'll enlighten you with the proceeds of a great mind possessed by one of our members (Mike Priwer), who has forgotten more about these things than most folks know----and who designed a mind numbing special tool to make your life simple again. The tool will take you a few minutes to make/install, and will save you from the need to say a whole bunch of bad words!

Oh! One other thing: It's been said a 32-20 "-----will shoot plumb through a man", so should the need arise, it'll do the job!

Ralph Tremaine
 
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Thanks Ralph. If I tear it all the way down I will take you up on that. I would like to have another one so I will look for one made after 1905.
 
Based upon what mine fetched during the liquidation of my collection, you'll pay less for the later one. The one above sold for $3300----the newer one, also a target/also in top condition fetched $1225---seems as though there's some sort of lesson for us there----maybe older is better.

I don't know about that!! I'm older---but not better---pretty much the same except for the stuff that seems to be worn out----still works, just not worth a cuss!!

Ralph Tremaine
 
Based on your .357 Magnum's s/n it is a 3-screw Model 27-2 (N38xxx), probably manufactured between 1969-1971. The 4th screw (front of the trigger guard) was eliminated in 1961 when the -2 was introduced. It is an early 27-2 since S&W started using the N-prefix s/n in 1969. Yours is wearing aftermarket wood stocks (grips), originally they would have been checkered walnut or Goncalo Alves target stocks. The 3-1/2" bbl. is one of the most desirable and sought after models and usually brings a premium. Your revolver definitely shows some use but since you got it cheap you probably did OK. This may have originally been a cop's gun. It should still be a smooth shooter, but may need some internal cleaning and TLC. Here's my 1970 Model 27-2, s/n N47210. Enjoy!
 

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This may have originally been a cop's gun. It should still be a smooth shooter, but may need some internal cleaning and TLC.
Correct...Feed it some high quality ammo and enjoy...Here are two of my 3 1/2" 27-2's, one definitely a cop's gun...:rolleyes:...Ben

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Thanks for the information on both the revolvers, I appreciate it. Hopefully I will be about to get out in the back yard soon and do some shooting.
 
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