S/N 600 32-20 Project - Could use a little help with this one!

[THREEDFLYER]

Hello all,

I acquired this little project hand ejector a while ago and dug it out of the safe thinking it is time I did something to make it go bang once more.

It is S/N 600 and all numbers match.....except the stocks, which are missing.
The bore is a little rough, but I still has defined rifling and should shoot just fine.

A previous owner did a refinish on it and overall it's in pretty decent shape with the exception of the the ejector and possibly the cylinder. As you can see, there are pieces missing and I sure would like to find a way to keep the original cylinder and just replace the damage ejector if at all possible.

Love to hear the thoughts of those who have done a similar project and can give me some guidance.

Also, can anyone tell me what the R-S stamped on the grip frame indicates?

 

[Alk8944]

the R-S, probably in a box, is a factory stamp indicating Re-finish Standard, which is blue. So the gun was factory re-finished at some point, Look on the front strap of the grip frame, left side, and you will probably find a date stamp something like 6.65, which designates June 1965. Unless the gun was re-finished after the mid 1970s I would expect to see an open star on the butt, back of cylinder, or bottom flat of barrel. This is known as the "Re-work Star" meaning the gun has had some major work done on it, such as major component replacement or re-finishing.

Mike Priwer may be able to locate or point you to an extractor or complete cylinder assembly. your gun was made in 1899, so finding parts can be a significant challenge!

 

[steelslaver]

I think I have a 32-20 cylinder in my parts pile and the ejector star is ok on it. Getting ready to head out of town for a couple days, but, PM me and I will dig it out when I get back. The only problem might be the pins not lining up perfectly. Sometimes they do and sometimes not. Couple things you can do if they don't line up. Fill original holes in cylinder with tight pins and re drill with new star in place or just drill new pin holes in another location. Cross that bridge if needed. Might need a bit of timing work to, but usually not much. Not really worth much to me. Call it a Karma thing. People here been good to me.

Just saw how early your gun is and think mine is from a later model but hopefully stat or star and cylinder will work with your rod.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

I do not see the standard STAR stamped on this one in any location.
However, on the same side at the R-S (yes, surrounded by a box) is the numbers 672.....so maybe it was sent in June 1972 for refinish??
I'll see what Mike Priwer has to say......good idea!

 

[THREEDFLYER]

I think I have a 32-20 cylinder in my parts pile and the ejector star is ok on it. Getting ready to head out of town for a couple days, but, PM me and I will dig it out when I get back. The only problem might be the pins not lining up perfectly. Sometimes they do and sometimes not. Couple things you can do if they don't line up. Fill original holes in cylinder with tight pins and re drill with new star in place or just drill new pin holes in another location. Cross that bridge if needed. Might need a bit of timing work to, but usually not much. Not really worth much to me. Call it a Karma thing. People here been good to me.

Just saw how early your gun is and think mine is from a later model but hopefully stat or star and cylinder will work with your rod.

Thanks for the offer.....however I do not see any pins on this cylinder....hmmm??? Maybe the very early HE's did not use them?

 

[steelslaver]

Maybe not. I could send you the extractor. If it works fine if not only out a little postage.

 

[rct269]

My earliest .32/20 (2nd Change Target, #42094 shipped December 22, 1908) has no pins locating the ejector star----has the very slightly radiused leg tips (or whatever they are more properly named)---------latest (4th Change Target, # 114655 shipped August 21, 1923) has one pin.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[mikepriwer]

Tom, et al

The pins didn't start until much later, so while they will not be a problem, they will be an indicator of a correct extractor star.

The problem here is that, with the advent of the 1902 1st change, the threaded portion of the extractor star rod was changed, and its incompatible with the earlier version.
So, if you have an extractor that was drilled for pins, your extractor rod will not screw
into it properly. Your best bet would be to find one from an old 1899 32-20. That will
fit properly, for sure.

If someone wants to send you a 32-20 extractor star, you can certainly try it. But, if
its drilled for pins, don't be surprised if it will not mate with the upper portion of the extractor star.

Here things get a little spooky. I think that the extractor star itself is some kind of
press fit onto the lower extractor rod shaft. You might, emphasis on might, find
someone who can remove the extractor star from an extra one, remove your broken
one, and put the new star on your old shaft.

Maybe.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Thanks Mike,

Unless I can find a qualified gunsmith I can trust to try and repair this one I think you are correct.....it could be a LOOONNNGGG search to find an original cylinder to drop in this one.

That said, if anyone knows of a trustworthy gunsmith familiar with the workings of these old wheelguns, please let me know!

Happy Holidays to you all, and keep your powder dry.