Prove 32/20 Production Stopped in 1930

handejector

Staff member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Messages
26,134
Reaction score
47,054
I keep seeing people say on this board that all S&W 32/20s had been built by 1930.
What is the source of that data?
I don't recall ever reading that.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I should have known....;)
Edited to say S&W 32/20s.
 
The often-seen claim that production "stopped" is likely not data-based.

But since according to the SCSW the highest serial produced was 144,684, and according to the database 143,529 shipped in 1931, we can say with reasonable confidence that production during the 1930s was minimal and may have (although that's not proven) consisted of assembly from already existing parts from some point on.

Absent actual production data, I think that's where we are. Somebody may have collected shipping data. I think there was one shipped as late as the 1960s; but that doesn't help with production.
 
But since according to the SCSW the highest serial produced was 144,684, and according to the database 143,529 shipped in 1931, we can say with reasonable confidence that production during the 1930s was minimal and may have (although that's not proven) consisted of assembly from already existing parts from some point on.

Yes, and another data point is 143556, which shipped in September, 1930. Further, 141399 shipped in March, 1928.

I think there was one shipped as late as the 1960s; but that doesn't help with production.
It has been reported that 141611 shipped in 1965. But, as you say, that tells us nothing at all about when it was assembled.
 
I would love to know when manufacturing formally stopped. Maybe when they ran out of barrels and cylinders??

There are a few in the database that shipped well into the 1930s, with the last one being 143892 that shipped in 1939. I did an image search for 32/20 images looking for a barrel shaped ejector rod knob. After scanning over a hundred guns, I only ran across three post 1927 manufacture date guns.

I have always wondered why Roy & Robert state the manufacturing dates for the 32/20 4th Change was from 1915 to 1940. McHenry states that the end of production for the 32/20 was #127,160 manufactured in July, 1924. Of course we know they went to 144, 684. The latest 32/20 I have is a target revolver, 110,XXX and it shipped in August 1924.

Are there any more out there with a barrel shaped ejector rod knob since mine is too early for that change?
 
My guess has been that at least some, if not most, post-1930 .32-20 shipments may have been made up of parts in inventory remaining after component production ceased. e.g., if an order came in from a distributor or retailer for .32-20 M&Ps, and all parts were available, S&W could have simply assembled and shipped it/them until the inventory was exhausted. As previously said, there are a fair number of .32-20 M&Ps in the SN 14xxxx range known to have shipped in 1930-31, strongly indicating that new production ceased around that time, and even possibly a little earlier - note that SN 141399 shipped in 3/28. Unless there are factory records providing the date when .32-20 parts production ceased, all we have is conjecture. But assuming that the end of production was around 1929-30 is probably not far from the truth.

I believe that Colt may have continued .32-20 revolver production until somewhat later than S&W. I have a near-mint .32-20 OP which, according to its SN, shipped in 1936. I also have a pretty .32-20 Army Special with a 4" barrel, but it's from around 1911-12 as I remember. I haven't seen that one for a long time, it's just too nice to shoot. I probably should dig it up.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top