My latest (32-20) find #3

[Raide Brest]

Hi to you all and everyone,
Two weeks ago I found (bought ) a nice hand ejector. It's been used quite a lot and fired several hundreds cartridges but the 6.5" barrel is shiny inside and rifling is still looking good. All the mechanism is tight and I believe I'll be able to shoot a little more bullets with it.
The last patent on the barrel is DEC 17 01 and the serial number is 138**. As all my previous S&W are topbreaks I would like to know a little more about that one. One more thing, caliber stamped on the right side of the barrel is "32 WINCHESTER CTG" and 32-20 cases are doing well in the cylinder. One more amazing fact: when I dismantled it for cleaning, I noticed the serial number is stamped inside the right side plate. Never saw that on my topbreaks. Any idea?
I attach a couple of pics, if you need more, just ask...
RB

 

[4K2022]

Very nice! She’s an Early Model 1902 (Rd Butt only).
Yes 32-20 Winchester is the appropriate cartridge.
I believe in the first few years of production,, while serial numbers were low (4 digit 5) AND the thought of “assembly numbers” hadn’t been dreamt of yet,, it was common. This is an old one for sure, pictures? We like pictures!
Does your pistol have a screw in the trigger guard?
With a nice barrel it is indeed a prize, congrats..

Edit,, just a suggestion. Add 32-20 to the thread Title,, folks here L O V E “O 2s

 

[Wiregrassguy]

That's a nice .32-20 Model 1902. It has the old flat springs and levers action. Congrats!

 

[JP@AK]

That is a nice acquisition. I think you will find that it is fun to shoot.

Nearby serial numbers on the .32-20 HE show shipments in 1904, so yours is likey around that time as well.

 

[Raide Brest]

Thanks for all the nice feedbacks and comments. 4K2022, I edited the title and I'll try to snap a few pics more in the days to come. This one has "assembly numbers" on the barrel and the cylinder. I'll try to snap it "guts in the air" but I need to clean it a little more to do that... LOL!! It's been used with smokeless cartridges and not cleaned every day except the barrel... I'll show you why I write that...
In fact I bought it due to the long barrel, it makes it easy to shoot at 25 meters...

 

[Raide Brest]

Does your pistol have a screw in the trigger guard?

Sorry, forgot to answer your question, nope no screw ahead the trigger guard, only four on the side plate and one to push on the main spring...

 

[Muley Gil]

The number on the butt is the recognized serial number. Do the numbers stamped under the barrel and on the rear face of the cylinder match this number?

 

[Raide Brest]

Nope they are the same but don't match the serial number which is repeated inside the side plate, that's why I call them "assembly numbers". I'll try to post pics when it will be less dirty

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Lovely...........here's one....just eye candy....

32 20 Hand Ejector Model 0f 1905 4th change left side

32 20 Hand Ejector Model 0f 1905 4th change right side - note the unusual rear sight. Someone told me what it was called but I don't recollect presently.

 

[Alk8944]

In spite of what one poster said the number inside the sideplate is the assembly number. It appears on the frame, yoke and sideplate. The serial number appears on the frame butt, back of cylinder, front of extractor, back of yoke arm, and bottom barrel flat. All those numbers should/will match on an all original gun.

The "Winchester Model", from the cartridge, is a fun variant of the K-frame revolvers. The caliber designation is marked three different ways, depending on period of manufacture. The original marking was .32 Winchester Ctg. Then came .32 WCF about 1910, and finally .32-20 about 1915 (?). All the same cartridge.

.32-20 is my favorite cartridge, probably stemming from the fact that the very first fired cases I ever picked up were .32-20s, in 1948 or'49, when I was about 4 years old. Among many others I have about twelve .32-20 guns, Colts, S&Ws a Marlin 1894 and a Spanish S&W clone. Used to have an 1892 Winchester too. I still have those first two cases too, somewhere.

The S&Ws include a Model 16 that is re-chambered to .32-20 because I have never been able to find a .32-20 Target in good enough condition for a price I could afford. I bought the Model 16 in 1966, specifically to re-chamber to .32-20. but it took me nearly 50 years to get it done. By then it was worth about 20 times what I paid for it NIB in 1966.

ICS Yoda,

That is the "Wonder Sight". Last time I checked they are still available, but for a lot more than the original price that I believe was about $6, or maybe less. They have been around since at least the 1950s.

 

[JP@AK]

The caliber designation is marked three different ways, depending on period of manufacture. The original marking was .32 Winchester Ctg. Then came .32 WCF about 1910, and finally .32-20 about 1915 (?).

Here you go:
Approx 1900 to c. 1913 - 32 Winchester CTG
c. 1914 to 1922 - 32 W.C.F. CTG
1922 to the end of production - 32-20 CTG

 

[Model19man]

Here you go:
Approx 1900 to c. 1913 - 32 Winchester CTG
c. 1914 to 1922 - 32 W.C.F. CTG
1922 to the end of production - 32-20 CTG

Hmmm my Model 1899 is roll stamped "32 Winchester CTG".

 

[Alk8944]

Hmmm my Model 1899 is roll stamped "32 Winchester CTG".

1899 was the first year for the K-Frame revolvers, .38 Spl. and .32-20. Don't you think 1899 is approximately 1900 as Jack said??

 

[Model19man]

1899 was the first year for the K-Frame revolvers, .38 Spl. and .32-20. Don't you think 1899 is approximately 1900 as Jack said??

I don't think in terms of "approximately" and Jack does not usually post in terms of "approximately".

 

[4K2022]

Although NOT a 1902
Here’s a side plate off a 1896 (32 S&W Long) w/serial number. Also a butt picture,,, soaking in acetone. Removing THIS side plate tested my ability and my sobriety.

Can’t wait to see inside your 4 Screw O2 ,, sometimes it looks like a pile of beautiful case hardened parts

 

[Raide Brest]

Hi to you all,
Here are the pics I promised.
There are 2 numbers stamped: Serial 13862 under the butt on the cylinder and under the barrel. By the way the caliber is written 32 WINCHESTER CTG.
On the inside of the right plate, on the frame behind the arm of the yoke and on the yoke's arm is the number 23736.
I attach a picture of the front of the cylinder, and as you can see it's quite pitted, that's why I wrote it shot a lot and was'nt always well cleaned. It's amazing cause the barrel is really shiny...
Waiting for any ideas... Thanks !!

 

[Raide Brest]

Last ones: The yoke, the front of the cylinder and "guts in the air" I still have cleaning ahead... !!

 

[desi2358]

The 23736 is the assembly number used by the factory during the finishing process to ensure matching parts went back together. If the bore and chambers are not pitted then they cleaned those but simply failed to clean the front of the cylinder properly resulting in the pitting your picture shows. I have seen similar pitting on a couple other old guns on the cylinder and also inside the frame window. The old chlorate primers would leave a corrosive salt that needed removed but wasn't as obvious as black powder fouling. Didn't take much to get rust forming if you didn't get it off the metal.

 

[4K2022]

Last ones: The yoke, the front of the cylinder and "guts in the air" I still have cleaning ahead... !!

Thanks for sharing this 1902 4 Screw.
Looks original as original can be! 120 years old and still looks ready for duty. Lastly, the right grip panel may also reveal the butt serial number, maybe I missed that.

Edit; the history of the condition of these old ones has to include the history of black powder cartridges. ALL the “improvements” in cartridges,, for the last 100 years were PROBABLY sent down the barrel of most pre WW I vintage guns. Unless it’s been exceptionally taken care of. Just my opinion of course.

For example, the face of the cylinder.
The cylinder to barrel gap is the PRICE of a revolver, it must be there. Everyone knew (knows) that. S&W actually machined the top strap and created a small cup. The cup would allow the SPRAY & splatter a place to accumulate,, and not interfere with the rotation of the cylinder.

 

[4K2022]

Here you go:
Approx 1900 to c. 1913 - 32 Winchester CTG
c. 1914 to 1922 - 32 W.C.F. CTG
1922 to the end of production - 32-20 CTG

Having Winchester spelled out on the barrels of these guns for 13 years must have caused mixed reactions.

I noticed the Op was located in France!
That,, IMO is why we haven’t seen more pictures.
Vendée Globe
I’m addicted to the Vendée myself!! Gives me something to focus on from election day through inauguration day every 4 years.

Lots of patent data that moves from Top to the side then back on the Top,, on these old ones.