S&W Hand Ejector, fourth change 32-20

[s&wfan2]

I acquired a very nice Hand Ejector, fourth change with 5" bbl and in 32-20 caliber. I love this caliber, it's the last of the old West. My S&W is ser#1414XX. I assume that this is one of the last to be produced in this caliber in 1939 ???? Can someone verify this for me??? Sorry I'm not photo capable as yet.... Thanks Henri..........

 

[opoefc]

Henri, If your gun wasn't shipped until 1939 (?) it was probably in the vault for some years. Ser. # 140911 shipped Mar. 1931 ( also a 5 inch ). # 141309 and # 142111 shipped in June 1929 and # 142578 shipped Sept 16, 1929. Ed.

 

[JP@AK]

The highest serial number produced in this series was 144684. Production of these frames stopped in about 1929 or 1930. All of the rest of the .32-20 HEs that shipped after that time were put together using frames made before production stopped.
The SCSW is misleading on this subject. The .32-20 HE remained in the catalog until 1940, but production stopped 10 years earlier.

I agree with you. This cartridge is wonderful and from a by-gone era.

 

[s&wfan2]

Hand Ejector 4th Change, 32-20

Thanks Guys, I guess I should get a letter for more information? Henri.....

 

[Skeetr57]

S&W .32-20 M&P, blued with a 4" barrel, SN 144204 shipped in Sept. 1934.

 

[Alk8944]

And 141611 shipped sometime in 1965. It is hard to interpolate shipping dates with any degree of accuracy after the late 1920s!

 

[Skeetr57]

Alk8944, I had read about that late shipping .32-20, but I don't think I ever saw the serial number before. I would like to examine that gun to see if it has the sliding hammer block of the 1945 and later revolvers, which might indicate assembly after WWII, or the earlier hammer block which might indicate that it had just been in inventory for over 25 years.