Questions re inherited S&W 4 screw
- Thread starter K1GER
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Looks like a Model 1902 Hand Ejector. They make good shooters with light loads.
My computer connection isn't the best. What is the serial number from the butt? I can't seem to read it.
These revolvers are identical to the .38 special model, but the .32-20 is in it's own serial number range.
I have a similar revolver with serial number 253xx, that was shipped from the factory in May 1906.
Looks like a Model 1902 Hand Ejector. They make good shooters with light loads.
My computer connection isn't the best. What is the serial number from the butt? I can't seem to read it.
These revolvers are identical to the .38 special model, but the .32-20 is in it's own serial number range.
I have a similar revolver with serial number 253xx, that was shipped from the factory in May 1906.
OP
SN
SN= 6755 On the crane is F10
SN= 6755 On the crane is F10
Hiya K1ger, and welcome to the forum. There are a lot of people here that are more knowledgeable than me with these old shootin'irons, but I'll explaterate to the best of my abilities:
Yours is a K-frame .32-20 Hand Ejector model 1902 (Second Model), distinguished by the straight barrel shank where it screws into the frame, the round butt, and the ejector lug under the barrel; mfg'd 1902 - 1905 (distributed GKW); approx.4,500 of them (1902 2nd's) made. There were around 7 variations on 32-20's made,and they were manufactured up until 1940; I think there were around 150,000 32-20's made in total. They were popular with trappers and hunters, and most have seen a lot of hard use; there are very few sock-drawer 32-20's around these days.
The 32-20 (AKA 32 Winchester), was popularized in folklore and also in some old blues songs (Robert Johnson, no less) as "the boollet that'll shoot right-straight through a man". In that regard we are often warned NOT to shoot 32-20 rifle cartridges in these handguns, and that warning would be especially true in a gun mfg'd before the mid 30's when metallurgy was somewhat improved. Regardless, 32-20 ammo is uncommon and expensive. If you're going to shoot your inheritance, you should learn to reload if you don't already do so. Best advise: keep them mild. I've got a couple of them (an 1899 1st, and a 1905 4th) and I find them very pleasant to shoot and also fairly accurate.
Your gun appears to have fixed (service) sights, as do most of them. They made a few target sighted editions in all model forms, but I've never seen one. Regarding value; in your case since it came from your father's estate: priceless; don't ever sell it (best advise that I wish I'd gotten a couple of decades ago). They are fairly common and when sold they tend to go for around the same money as the k-frame 38 spl's, if not a little less due to ammo availability.
Hope this helps -S2
Yours is a K-frame .32-20 Hand Ejector model 1902 (Second Model), distinguished by the straight barrel shank where it screws into the frame, the round butt, and the ejector lug under the barrel; mfg'd 1902 - 1905 (distributed GKW); approx.4,500 of them (1902 2nd's) made. There were around 7 variations on 32-20's made,and they were manufactured up until 1940; I think there were around 150,000 32-20's made in total. They were popular with trappers and hunters, and most have seen a lot of hard use; there are very few sock-drawer 32-20's around these days.
The 32-20 (AKA 32 Winchester), was popularized in folklore and also in some old blues songs (Robert Johnson, no less) as "the boollet that'll shoot right-straight through a man". In that regard we are often warned NOT to shoot 32-20 rifle cartridges in these handguns, and that warning would be especially true in a gun mfg'd before the mid 30's when metallurgy was somewhat improved. Regardless, 32-20 ammo is uncommon and expensive. If you're going to shoot your inheritance, you should learn to reload if you don't already do so. Best advise: keep them mild. I've got a couple of them (an 1899 1st, and a 1905 4th) and I find them very pleasant to shoot and also fairly accurate.
Your gun appears to have fixed (service) sights, as do most of them. They made a few target sighted editions in all model forms, but I've never seen one. Regarding value; in your case since it came from your father's estate: priceless; don't ever sell it (best advise that I wish I'd gotten a couple of decades ago). They are fairly common and when sold they tend to go for around the same money as the k-frame 38 spl's, if not a little less due to ammo availability.
Hope this helps -S2
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Hello, K1ger. I also welcome you.
That's a nice piece of S&W history from the early years of hand ejector production. At the time, S&W made two .32 hand ejectors; yours is the larger of the two. The smaller gun, which was built on the company's I frame, chambered the .32 S&W round; your gun, built on the larger K-frame (which was mainly given over to .38 production) takes the slightly more powerful .32-20 round, or .32 Winchester as it says on your barrel. Later in the production run of the .32-20s you would see that abbreviated as .32 WCF.
It's true that .32-20s aren't rare in the aggregate, but some varieties are less common than others. Total production of your specific model ran to about 5,000. There were 8,000 more made as the 1902 Second Model (First change) with some minor engineering modifications. In 1905 there were additional changes and the gun was renamed the 1905 Third model.
I'm guessing your gun is probably from 1902 or 1903.
I join in the suggestion that you never sell a family heirloom.
That's a nice piece of S&W history from the early years of hand ejector production. At the time, S&W made two .32 hand ejectors; yours is the larger of the two. The smaller gun, which was built on the company's I frame, chambered the .32 S&W round; your gun, built on the larger K-frame (which was mainly given over to .38 production) takes the slightly more powerful .32-20 round, or .32 Winchester as it says on your barrel. Later in the production run of the .32-20s you would see that abbreviated as .32 WCF.
It's true that .32-20s aren't rare in the aggregate, but some varieties are less common than others. Total production of your specific model ran to about 5,000. There were 8,000 more made as the 1902 Second Model (First change) with some minor engineering modifications. In 1905 there were additional changes and the gun was renamed the 1905 Third model.
I'm guessing your gun is probably from 1902 or 1903.
I join in the suggestion that you never sell a family heirloom.
As noted, the gun is a Model of 1902 32/20. They range in serial number
from about 53xx to about 98xx . This is the first K-frame variant to have
a lug under the barrel. It still has the straight-taper barrel from its
predecessor, the Model of 1899. It has the early levering lockwork -
you can see the levering stud about 1/2" to 3/4" below the cylinder
release thumbpiece.
I don't agree with others about selling inherited firearms. I've always
maintainted that, eventually, one way or another, all the guns get
sold. Its just a matter of when.
If the gun is important to you, then keep it. If its not important to you,
and you'd rather own something else, sell it.
I don't recall if you asked that question, but since others have offered
their view, I have done so, as well !
Later, Mike Priwer
from about 53xx to about 98xx . This is the first K-frame variant to have
a lug under the barrel. It still has the straight-taper barrel from its
predecessor, the Model of 1899. It has the early levering lockwork -
you can see the levering stud about 1/2" to 3/4" below the cylinder
release thumbpiece.
I don't agree with others about selling inherited firearms. I've always
maintainted that, eventually, one way or another, all the guns get
sold. Its just a matter of when.
If the gun is important to you, then keep it. If its not important to you,
and you'd rather own something else, sell it.
I don't recall if you asked that question, but since others have offered
their view, I have done so, as well !
Later, Mike Priwer
jsmith
Member
I looked at your photos and without knowing what condition the bore is in I would say you gun is in about 60-70% condition based on the bluing. Value wise I say your gun is worth about $500 on up. You do have an earlier model 32-20. These aren't normally found that often. Typically the Model 1905 in the 3rd & 4th changes are the most commonly found.
You got a free gun. Most of us are not that lucky. It's a family heirloom. I wouldn't sell it!
jsmith
You got a free gun. Most of us are not that lucky. It's a family heirloom. I wouldn't sell it!
jsmith
