....my father passed away some time back and one of the items he left me was a S&W 32.20 revolver...the serial number on the weapon is 11448...was hoping someone could tell me the model and time frame in which the pistol was made...thanks for the help...
Need help to ID a S&W 32.20
- Thread starter Dawgchow
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Welcome! Your father had good taste in guns. 
If the serial number quoted is from the flat bottom of the grip frame, you have a .32-20 Hand Ejector First Change from about 1903. If the number is from the yoke cutout underneath the barrel, it is a factory internal code, not the true SN. Here is a post explaining this:
To IDENTIFY your Gun >
If the serial number quoted is from the flat bottom of the grip frame, you have a .32-20 Hand Ejector First Change from about 1903. If the number is from the yoke cutout underneath the barrel, it is a factory internal code, not the true SN. Here is a post explaining this:
To IDENTIFY your Gun >
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That makes it from quite a bit later, perhaps sometime in the 1920s, and it would be a .32-20 HE fourth change (a collector's term).
The last recorded serial number for this model was 144684 and they were sold until 1940, but production ended several years beforehand. A letter of authenticity would give you more information, including the ship (sales) date and destination:
Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
The last recorded serial number for this model was 144684 and they were sold until 1940, but production ended several years beforehand. A letter of authenticity would give you more information, including the ship (sales) date and destination:
Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
.32-20 HE serial number 125808 probably shipped in 1924 or 1925. I show 123573 shipping in September, 1924, 125207 shipping in December, 1924, and 126260 shipping in February, 1925.
DWalt
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It is properly called a .32-20 Military and Police Model. The "change" is a collector term and was not used by S&W. It is essentially the same as the .38 M&P, except for the caliber. But they are in a separate serial number range. S&W stopped making .32-20 revolvers at around 1929-30 but continued selling them from inventory until around 1940. They were not big sellers in comparison to the came revolver in .38 Special. Ammunition availability at present is a problem.
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I agree, but this is interesting. I have one with its original box that shipped in June, 1917. On the inside of the lid of the hinged box, the Spanish language side calls it a .32 M&P Winchester, but not on the English side, where it is called a .32 Hand Ejector Winchester.
This one is in Very Good condition, has a four inch barrel and wears its original pearl stocks with the recessed gold medallion.
I've never taken a picture of it. Sorry.
Welcome to the Forum, Dawgchow! You've inherited a fine family heirloom, and the .32-20 is a fun cartridge to shoot. From the limited info that you've provided, you most likely own a .32-20 Military & Police revolver (aka Model of 1905 4th Change) from the mid-1920s. This is my blued 6" bbl. version (118705, ca. 1923), it's a little older than yours and it shows some wear. There were several other barrel lengths available at the time. Unfortunately, although .32-20 ammunition is commercially available (Cowboy Action loads, etc.), it is a little difficult to find these days and pricey when you can find it. We'd like to see some pics of your revolver if you can upload some. Enjoy!
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Cotis
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Were original pearl stocks from this era actually made from pearls? What about all the aftermarket grips from this timeframe that were common but didn't have the medallions? Sorry for the silly question, but the subject came up this week at work and no one knew definitively.
Pearl handgun stocks (and knife scales, jewelry, etc.) are actually made from Mother of Pearl. This is called nacre, and it's the thick iridescent inner lining of certain mollusc shells (clams, oysters, mussels). Round pearls are also made of nacre that is secreted around a foreign object inside the mollusc to protect its sensitive body. MOP is obtained by taking large mollusc shells and cutting them to remove and expose the nacre lining. It's then shaped and polished, and makes a beautiful finished product. Although nacre is relatively strong and resilient, MOP stocks can be rather brittle around the thin edges.
Not "pearls" but Mother of Pearl (it actually comes from mollusk shells, like abalone). S&W eventually stopped making them because it became difficult to get a sufficient amount of high quality material for them.
A number of other companies were making stocks from MOP. Sometime in the late 19th century, S&W started putting medallions in its "fancy" stocks to distinguish them from the aftermarket supply.
Cotis
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Thank you for the information on the MOP stocks
