Is this a 32-20 HE 1905? & any idea of value

[db663]

I did as much research as I can on my own & think this to be a 32-20 HE 1905 4th change? If it is, the serial number would make it late in production? Any way to narrow that down to a specific year?

Also trying to get an idea of the current value. The condition actually looks pretty good to me, considerable bluing loss, but it locks up tight, bore looks clean, grips are nicked up some, but no cracks or chips.

Serial # 133159

Any info is appreciated...............thanks

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Yes. Very late production as they only made around 140,000 of them. Without a letter a ship date is just a guess. They stopped making them by 1930 and sold out remaining inventory until 1940. I'll defer on value to the experts.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello db nice gun. Did you check the Sn. on the inside of the right grip? If the bore and cyl. are in nice shape, $550 not out of the realm of reality, considering the cult like following that like these guns.

 

[tlawler]

I saw this one at the Lakeland show in January. I think he's over on the .38 special by $250 or so. Based on that pricing, I'd say $1K should have been the price on the 32-20. Of course, that's a wild guess. I really wanted that revolver, but he would only come down to $1200 and it seemed a bit high to me.

 

[db663]

Hello db nice gun. Did you check the Sn. on the inside of the right grip? If the bore and cyl. are in nice shape, $550 not out of the realm of reality, considering the cult like following that like these guns.

Yes, right grip is super faint (in pencil) but legible, they all match; frame, cylinder & grip.

 

[db663]

Thanks guys - I like that $1000 number!

 

[DWalt]

I bet you do. Unless the used gun market has gone totally haywire, I don't see that one selling for anything close to $1000. Half that or less would be more typical for one in fairly nice condition. Is there a cult of .32-20 fans? I've never heard of one. At least for use as a shooter, factory ammo is somewhat difficult to find even in the best of times and that can get expensive. It is pretty much a reloading proposition.

"Serial # 133159"

Likely from the 1926-27 period.

 

[glowe]

It was most likely manufactured before 1928. That is the year that the ejector rod knob was changed to a barrel shape from that mushroom shape. There is a gun numbered 134,XXX that shipped in 1926. THey stopped using pencil serial numbers by around 1929.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I can't recall seeing a .32-20 with anything but the mushroom extractor rod knob. Were any made?

 

[Muley Gil]

I can't recall seeing a .32-20 with anything but the mushroom extractor rod knob. Were any made?

There have been a few pictured here on the Forum over the years.

 

[glowe]

I did some detective work on another thread from Lee, doing an image search for 32-20 S&Ws. I reviewed over a hundred guns and only found three barrel ejector rod knobs. Below is one of them in the 140,000 range. Those guns also had silver medallion stocks.

 

[Drm50]

I'm always nosing 32/20 S&Ws. I've owned several in last few years. My quest is for a Target model. Anyway I've had some really nice condition guns and last one went at $500. Had it at several shows before Sold. Adjusting for today's pricing I would put the OPs at $500 if it's functionally good. The last one I sold was a clean high condition shooter.

 

[glowe]

I'm always nosing 32/20 S&Ws. I've owned several in last few years. My quest is for a Target model . . .

They are out there but just a small percentage of 32-20 made. I have found four to date, three from the teens and only one from the 1920s so far.