S & W 32W.C.F.CTG-OLD or what is it?

[Don/Washington]

I have a S & W revolver that says 32 W.C.F. on
the barrel. The serial # is 61568 on the butt
and on the cyclinder. It has a silver medallion
on the wood checkered grips. The last patent
# on the barrel top is Sept 14.08. Think it
might be from about 1945 or so. Could it be
a 32 long? Anyone know anything about it?

 

[Don/Washington]

I have a S & W revolver that says 32 W.C.F. on
the barrel. The serial # is 61568 on the butt
and on the cyclinder. It has a silver medallion
on the wood checkered grips. The last patent
# on the barrel top is Sept 14.08. Think it
might be from about 1945 or so. Could it be
a 32 long? Anyone know anything about it?

 

[azmick]

32-20, but be carefull. it is a vintage gun

 

[cgt4570]

Production of the S&W .32-20 revolver(aka .32 WCF or .32 Winchester) stopped around 1940 and has never resumed. The serial you give puts it between 1909 and 1915. It would be known as a Model of 1905, Third Change. It's a K frame just like the .38 Special Military & Police Model (later known as the Model 10).
As for ammo, the current production stuff by Win. or Rem. is safe to shoot in it, if the gun itself has been checked out and found satisfactory by a gunsmith. If the bore is still good, they are very accurate. I have a few of them and shoot them all.
Chris

 

[N7BLW]

Your revolver probably left the factory sometime in 1916.

The database I maintain for the S&W 32-20 guns contains the following confirmed ship dates for nearby serial numbers:
60562 - 3/7/1916
61909 - 7/12/1916
62050 - 5/29-1914

Note that S&W often shipped guns out of serial number order.

Use mild-mannered ammo in your gun. S&W didn't start to heat treat the cylinders of their revolvers until about 1918.

 

[mikepriwer]

It is NOT a 32 long ; It is a 32/20 .

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[Don/Washington]

Thanks for the info. I'm learning and really
suprised about the age.

 

[VonFatman]

Sounds like a very cool gun. Photos?

Welcome to the Forum, you came to the right place to ask questions.

Bob

 

[Don/Washington]

Von fatman
Thanks for your interest. Would like to post
photos, tried Photo Bucket without success.
Will try again

 

[otteray]

Originally posted by Don/Washington:
Von fatman
Thanks for your interest. Would like to post
photos, tried Photo Bucket without success.
Will try again

Here is one of mine that my dad left me; kinda like the plastic grips, but I am always keeping an eye out for originals. Fun to shoot, anyway!

 

[cgt4570]

otteray,

Your email isn't in your profile. Email me and I'll try to hook you up with proper grips for your .32-20. It deserves to wear the right ones. Let me know which style you need, or what the serial number is. I've probably got a spare set and I'll let you have them cheap.

Chris
To everyone else: this is not an open offer, just a one-time deal to help a member with an heirloom.

 

[otteray]

Originally posted by cgt4570:
otteray,

Your email isn't in your profile. Email me and I'll try to hook you up with proper grips for your .32-20. It deserves to wear the right ones. Let me know which style you need, or what the serial number is. I've probably got a spare set and I'll let you have them cheap.

Chris
To everyone else: this is not an open offer, just a one-time deal to help a member with an heirloom.

Thank you very much for the kind offer!
Email sent!
Ray

 

[Don/Washington]

Think I got the wrong E-mail. My 32-20 has
original grips I think. Wood checkered with
a medallion. Someone else sent in a picture
of 32-20 with stag type grips. Maybe that's
the person meant for the offer/purchase of some grips?