Here is the one I have.
S&W Model of 1905 shipped February of 1907. Serial number 21188.
S&W Model of 1905 shipped February of 1907. Serial number 21188.
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The .32-20 Hand Ejector Thread
- Thread starter bmcgilvray
- Start date
OP
bmcgilvray
SWCA Member
Thanks for the story on the 4-inch .32-20 Target and posting the "before and after" photos Mike. That really is a good job of restoration. Nice to make comparisons.
Nutsforsmiths;
Nice old revolver that reminds me of the first .32-20 I had. It fell very close in serial number, looked much like that one except was a square butt.
Nutsforsmiths;
Nice old revolver that reminds me of the first .32-20 I had. It fell very close in serial number, looked much like that one except was a square butt.
bmcgilvray, what happened to that first 32-20 you had?
Always like to hear the stories on these guns.
Always like to hear the stories on these guns.
OP
bmcgilvray
SWCA Member
I did that which is evil. I didn't like the nickel finish which was beginning to look shopworn so took the .32-20 and a 70% nickel Model of 1926 .44 Special to a local shop for stripping and refinishing in blue. They came out looking rather nice but then I wasn't happy with them for being non-original so swapped them away. This happened some 25 years ago when the oldies weren't quite the collectibles they they have become.
Ouch! That sounds painful, even 25 years later. Live and learn I guess.
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32 WCF CTG Question
I have this gun and would like any info you might be willing to share.
Smith and Wesson 32 WCF CTG Serial 633xx
very nice, possibly re blued at sometime, not sure.
4" barrel. walnut square grips, (original), no rear site, front blade only (large). #s match butt, cylinder and yoke. would post picture, but don't know how to aquire "url".
I have this gun and would like any info you might be willing to share.
Smith and Wesson 32 WCF CTG Serial 633xx
very nice, possibly re blued at sometime, not sure.
4" barrel. walnut square grips, (original), no rear site, front blade only (large). #s match butt, cylinder and yoke. would post picture, but don't know how to aquire "url".
mikepriwer
SWCA Member
For the record, this gun has a round butt, not a square butt. It is a
Model of 1902, not a model of 1905.
Mike Priwer
mikepriwer
SWCA Member
Dan
In Chicago, the byword used to be "Vote early, and vote often."
If I repeat the mantra about 1902's vs 1905's often enough, it just
might stick !
Regards, Mike Priwer
In Chicago, the byword used to be "Vote early, and vote often."
If I repeat the mantra about 1902's vs 1905's often enough, it just
might stick !
Regards, Mike Priwer
Mike,
Either I'm confused or you are trying to pull my leg. I can't tell which it is?
Either I'm confused or you are trying to pull my leg. I can't tell which it is?
A couple more; but not a target:
The top 2 are 32-20's; the others are pre-war K38's of one sort or another. Here's some singles of the 1902-1st:
The top 2 are 32-20's; the others are pre-war K38's of one sort or another. Here's some singles of the 1902-1st:
Here are a couple of early targets in the 32-20 serial number series.
Now - this next one is actually chambered in 32 Long, but serial-
numbered in the 32-20 series. I regard this gun as the first K-32
target revolver. Serial-numbering it in the 32-20 series makes more
sense than in the 38 series, because the barrel caliber is the same as
the 32-20.
Regards, Mike Priwer
Hey Mike, I love those 4 inch targets. Did the one above letter with the grooved trigger?
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
"Did the one above letter with the grooved trigger?"
The trigger on it isn't grooved, it is checkered. The letter I had, I think it's the same one Mike is showing, didn't say anything about the trigger.
The trigger on it isn't grooved, it is checkered. The letter I had, I think it's the same one Mike is showing, didn't say anything about the trigger.
jamned
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
My 32-20 H.E.'s
First is a round butt, 4", factory re-nickel. Dated under grip, 11/81, star preceeds serial number on bottom of barrel. s/n 21214.
Next is my 6" target 32-20.
Last is a 5" in as new condition with original box & cleaning brush, still in original brown paper. This gun came from the original owner & is reportedly unfired from the factory. Shipped 1912.
First is a round butt, 4", factory re-nickel. Dated under grip, 11/81, star preceeds serial number on bottom of barrel. s/n 21214.
Next is my 6" target 32-20.
Last is a 5" in as new condition with original box & cleaning brush, still in original brown paper. This gun came from the original owner & is reportedly unfired from the factory. Shipped 1912.
rburg
Member
Good luck with your search...
Larger gun shows usually have sellers. You're much better off finding an individual with an assortment of old ammo he no longer needs. It was how I managed to find a couple of boxes that didn't cost an arm and a leg.But then at an OGCA show a guy had a coffee can and a jar full of gas check cast bullets. He wanted $5 and $8 for them. But he compromised and sold me both for $11. I got about 500 of them!
The next stroke of luck was at a tiny gun show my son wanted me to attend. I was bored to death, looking at the crap he enjoyed (AR crap). But then on an end cap was a bunch of .32-20 stuff. Loaded ammo, one box of 50 Winchester brand bullets (cute little box) and a bunch of brass.
Some of it was unfired, some looked to be once fired. He wanted me to make him an offer. I learned long ago not to do that. Sometimes it insults the other party, other times its way high. So we did the dance for a while, him trying to feel me out as to what I'd pay, me being non-committal. Finally he gave up and said "How about $50". Done! It was a steal, given current prices.
So it means you're going to reload. If you don't already, you're going to start. And its kind of a difficult cartridge to reload. Especially if you have acquired bad habits on other calibers. Trim your cases to length. Don't let it go, do it. Every time. What happens is the cases are kind of thin and weak. If one is too long, the die will crumple it. Brass is to hard to find to waste any. And spend some time getting your dies set the way you want them. With brass that expensive and hard to get, keep your loads down. Its not a magnum, and it will never become one.
From there, its easy.
If you don't reload and have a sucker who's willing, make sure he has a case trimmer.
Buying any "off caliber" at retail is costly. With the ongoing ammo shortages and price jumps, you'll pay dearly. Remember, the .32-20 isn't high on the popularity lists these days.
If you can live with used dies, they're not hard to find.
ar15ed
Member
i found this one at a local pawn shop last week. unbelieveably clean and crisp fourth change from about 1923. the addiction overpowered me, and i had to add it to the herd! this is the first 32-20 i have ever owned!
mikepriwer
SWCA Member
Jim
As Jeff noted, the checkered trigger is not noted in the letter.
The gun appears to have been shipped to an individual, so presumably
he must have ordered it. There is less than a dozen of these
Special Caliber Variation, so I presume that they had to have been
special orders.
I don't know if Roy was able to find the invoice for this gun, which
maybe would note the trigger.
Regards, Mike Priwer
As Jeff noted, the checkered trigger is not noted in the letter.
The gun appears to have been shipped to an individual, so presumably
he must have ordered it. There is less than a dozen of these
Special Caliber Variation, so I presume that they had to have been
special orders.
I don't know if Roy was able to find the invoice for this gun, which
maybe would note the trigger.
Regards, Mike Priwer
valkyriekl
Member
My own little abomination, a .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905, 3rd Change, wearing an Aimtech K-frame scope base and a cheap 2x20 scope (the scope practically weighs as much as the gun!):
Picked it up for a song and a dance, with the Parkerizing already done to it. It has also had a trigger- and lock-up job done -- one of the tightest lock-ups and smoothest triggers I've ever seen.
I've since removed the scope and base, and I'll be looking to add a WonderSight to it.
Picked it up for a song and a dance, with the Parkerizing already done to it. It has also had a trigger- and lock-up job done -- one of the tightest lock-ups and smoothest triggers I've ever seen.
I've since removed the scope and base, and I'll be looking to add a WonderSight to it.
