Smith and wesson 32-20 revolver

[newellj]

1905 32-20 WCF 3rd change 6" Target

Here is my 1905 3rd 6" target #53356 shipped 3/1/12
Numbers in all the correct places, no rework stamps
Original finish w/ some flecking on sideplate and bluing loss patina on the front and back of the grip frame. Very minor muzzle wear.
Mechanically great with perfect timing and lock up.
Bore is shines with pronounced rifling.

What would a gun like this sell for here on the forum?

Thanks for any help on valuation.
J

 

[Oscar Zulu]

.32-20 Target

There is a gizmo called a "Wonder Sight" that replaces the 5th (upper side plate) screw on 5 screw S & W revolvers that effectively makes them into a target model. The rear blade is rather small, much like the target sights of the day. Kind of old school cool. I have one on a 5' 32-20 and a Model 1917.
O.Z.

 

[glowe]

Here is my 1905 3rd 6" target #53356 shipped 3/1/12 . . . What would a gun like this sell for here on the forum?

The 3rd Model ran for 6 years, with just over 20,000 made in standard and target configuration. If one applies the 2% target rule, there would be around 400 3rd Change Target models made. That implies there should be substantial value, BUT auction results don't always show a great deal of enthusiasm and I think that the overall market is not super large. To some, the 32-20 caliber is a must have, but I believe more see it as something that is hard to buy ammunition for, so is passed by.

Having said that, you have a very nice 32 Winchester, one that certainly worth the OPs budget of $800. To an experienced 32-20 collector, over $1000, how much over depends on how many of those buyers find it at auction? A quick search on GB for completed auctions finds 81 non-target 32-20s and over half of the listings did not get a minimum bid? As mentioned above, the prices obtained for this model seem to be all over the board, so any estimate of what the gun would sell for is difficult to predict.

 

[oddshooter]

I did the completed auctions for "32-20" and got 5211.
I did the completed auctions for "32-20 Winchester" and got 1006
I did the completed auctions for "32-20 HE" and only got 5 auctions.
I did the completed auctions for "32 WCF" and got 117.

So guessing what your search phrase was, I couldn't find the 81 records.
Did you search on 32 Winchester special? That is a different caliber from the 32 WCF (or 32-20 WCF).

Did I miss where the post from newellj said 32 Winchester?

Sorry, I'm kind of lost.

Prescut

 

[glowe]

wesson 32-20 was the search. newellj titled his post as 1905 32-20 WCF 3rd change 6" Target

 

[bengal fan]

Here's my King Modified 32-20 with some Ropers. This is a real joy to shoot.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Green Frog]

Well, I've been watching this thread with interest. I own a late teens vintage 32-20 M&P that to be honest gets very little use. Over the years I've "gotten the bug" several times to own and shoot a gun of one sort or another in 32-20 and started in 1979 with a 4" nickel M&P I found at a shop in Christiansburg, VA, but it didn't hang around long as I wasn't reloading back then. Next came a beautiful 3rd year of production Winchester high wall in 32-20... something of a rare bird, but since I was in a mode to shoot in competition, it was too nice to keep (yeah, I know, dumb move!) Next came a Ruger Blackhawk Buckeye Special in 32 Combo. As I've bemoaned frequently here, I sold that one in one of the dumbest moves of my life.

In recent years I've gotten the two I have now, the M&P I mentioned in opening and a Navy Arms marked Uberti copy of a Colt SAA. I honestly thought I would shoot them both more than I have, and as my time seems to be opening up a little more, that may come to be. As I said in post #19, I may have Project 616 upgraded to dual cylinders as well. I'd like to have an adjustable sighted 32-20 and this could be it... finding the adjustable sighted pre-War M&P I can afford is proving elusive.

Oh well, I guess I've reminisced enough here. If and when the 616 project comes to fruition, I'll start a new thread to let you folks know how that goes. This thread seems to be getting me into the mood.

Froggie

 

[oddshooter]

I feel your pain, Mr. Frog.

That "King Modified 32-20 with some Ropers" has my heart pumping.
I may need to intensify my searches.

Prescut

 

[Tom K]

You know, there's a real big problem with having a .32-20 HE. You have to get a rifle to go with it.
....

A .32-20 rifle to go with your .32-20 revolver(s)? I'm sure I don't know what you mean....

 

[1coolcat]

I have a Model 16 that I have a .32-20 WCF cylinder for, along with a .32 S&W Long cylinder, and the original .32 H&R Magnum cylinder, which I had modified to .327 Federal Magnum.

This is precisely the gun I had in mind beautiful set up..$$$$..looking to sell? Or trade

 

[bgrafsr]

You know, there's a real big problem with having a .32-20 HE. You have to get a rifle to go with it.

So you better start shopping for both items. You can't have one without the other.

I posted my two here: A Couple of .32-20s at the Range Today

Good luck in your search!

Curl

I just bought a Marlin 1889 in .32-20 WCF. It was made in 1898.

 

[bgrafsr]

This is precisely the gun I had in mind beautiful set up..$$$$..looking to sell? Or trade

I'll never get the money out of it that I spent to get what I wanted, so it will get passed on to my Son.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Marlin made their 1894 CL in a small batch in the late 1980's. There didn't seem to be enough demand for continued production. But I bought mine back then and love it. I added to it a 6" Colt PPS from 1919, and later picked up a flaked nickel S&W 4" Model 1902, 1st change, made in 1902. These are just fun to shoot guns, and I do, Both revolvers get cast 117 grain RNFP handloads of the Cowboy Action verity. I loaded 500 of the High Velocity jacketed verity back in the 90's, so I have a lifetime supply of that. The Colt seldom gets shot (I don't enjoy how the grips fit my hand) The S&W goes for long walks in the woods. (If I'm not carrying my 1917)

Ivan

 

[bracebeemer]

Here are 3 of my 32-20 revolvers. Top revolver is a 5" fixed sight shipped in 1911. Middle revolver is a 6" target shipped in 1917.Bottom revolver is a 61/2" 1902 shipped in 1905. Bill

 

[DEL56]

S&W 32-20 Target

Here is what a S&W Model 1899 in 32-20 looks like.

 

[1coolcat]

Here's my King Modified 32-20 with some Ropers. This is a real joy to shoot.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Daaaaamn brother that is a fine pc of steel there..I love the ribbed barrel..can you tell me about the barrel work..very sexy..

 

[1coolcat]

Does any one here know if a model 31 or 31 could be converted to 32-20..or is the cylinder to short..now how cool would that be..
I had a perfect model 31 in box ..oh the pain..William..dr smith..I miss that gun..but make it a 32-20 ..perfect kit gun ..

 

[Muley Gil]

Does any one here know if a model 31 or 31 could be converted to 32-20..or is the cylinder to short..now how cool would that be..
I had a perfect model 31 in box ..oh the pain..William..dr smith..I miss that gun..but make it a 32-20 ..perfect kit gun ..

The cylinder is too short. However, it can be rechambered to .32 H&R Magnum.