The .32-20 Hand Ejector Thread

[bmcgilvray]

Have we had a recent "reference" thread on the .32-20 revolvers? We'll start one and see how far it gets and how many .32-20 Smith & Wesson fans there are. Only .32-20 guns need apply.

I just got a dandy set of stocks from ctg4570 who posted them in our Accessories Classifieds. These gave the best fit I've ever experienced on replacement originals and made a good match to the revolver. I was so pleased that I took updated photos. Yea Chris! Thanks!

Serial No. 1335xx. A fairly late production .32-20, I've not lettered it yet but, based on data gleaned here, am guessing that it falls in the 1927-1929 range. Would this be a close guess?

 

[David LaPell]

This is my .32-20 HE 6 inch barrel. Someone filed down the front sight to a small bead and I added the Wondersight. Not sure the year or the history, someday I will get it lettered.

 

[longranger]

The other 32-20

Not S&W but meets the requirement of 32-20 1913 Colt Army Special.

 

[Combat]

I'll contribute a little

This is a pic of the last one I got a 6" from around 1916 or so. SN.689xx.

 

[DCWilson]

My only .32-20 so far, but in time there will be others.

S/N 54269: shipped April 1913. Model 1905, Third Change. Clumsily renickeled (note dip loop shadow near muzzle), but at least the hammer and trigger were left alone; they look gray because the case coloring has almost completely faded. Action fine, muzzle and bore in great shape. Stocks appropriate, but not original.

 

[Dan M]

Do Targets count?

Serial # 76926 shipped August of 1917, 99.9% condition all original parts.

 

[bigolddave]

Here's mine; about 1920

 

[mikepriwer]

Here are a couple of early targets in the 32-20 serial number series.
This first one is 32-20:

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

 

[otteray]

Mine is a 1905 4th Model from before the heat treated cylinder era. I have recently added the Wonder Sight, too!

 

[hsguy]

Here is another.

 

[Walter Rego]

This one shipped in June, 1922 to the Simon Levalley Co. in Buffalo, NY. Serial number is in the 108600 range. I have the original stocks for it as well. Mechanically, it is as new.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Do Targets count?

Sure they do. Targets count, stray Colts count, even .32 Longs numbered within the .32-20 series count (like we would ever be inundated with .32 Longs numbered within the .32-20 series).

It would be great to see them all. I've always been keen on the .32-20 as a revolver cartridge as well as a rifle cartridge. I'd love a 6-inch Colt Army Special in .32-20 too.

Who on the Forum has the lowest number and who has the highest number. Any information from factory letters or connections with family histories or law enforcement would be welcome. Model revisions and changes in markings could be noted as well. Those who still shoot theirs regularly could post tales and favorite loads. We could even speculate whether Robert Johnson was referring to a Colt or a Smith & Wesson in his song ".32-20 Blues."


Hey Mike Priwer;

You refer to your second revolver as .32 Long. I assume that means .32 S&W Long rather than the obsolete .32 Long Colt. Is it marked ".32 Long?" That revolver has to be a major rarity. Any idea of the total production or if it was a special order?

Even your early .32-20 Target must be uncommon with a 4-inch barrel.

 

[bobf]

S/N 1418XX* 4-49 rework stamp.

 

[Muley Gil]

Here's a target model that I sold this year. Serial number 30xxx, it shipped in March 1907. Crappy finish, but a mirror bore and matching grips.

I need to take a group shot of my other .32-20s: a 5" M&P; a Colt PPS, an Official Police, a Cimmaron Model P Jr, and a Martini-Henry.

 

[bgrafsr]

Here is mine. I have also put a Wonder Sight on it for shooting.

 

[gjamison]

This is great, I just went out yesterday and shoot this .32-20 and this post appears. This gun was going to be sold but now after shooting it I just may keep it. .32-20 6" barrel serial #63756 everything numbers correct, model of 1905 3rd change, she has alot of ware on her but like most old smith's the single and double auction are great. just a good old classic S&W.

 

[mikepriwer]

You refer to your second revolver as .32 Long. I assume that means .32 S&W Long rather than the obsolete .32 Long Colt. Is it marked ".32 Long?"

Here is the letter on the gun. You'll see that its characterized as
a Special Caliber Variation, not a special order. In the records, there
appears to be 6 or 8, or so, of these special chamberings. They are
in the 43XXX serial number range, which is 1910. There is another
handful made up in 1916 - I think the 61XXX serial number range.
Again, there was less that a dozen - maybe 8 or so.

The barrel has no caliber marking on it.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[bmcgilvray]

Thanks for posting the letter too, Mike. Explains a lot about probably one of the rarest S&Ws pictured on the forum.

 

[mikepriwer]

Even your early .32-20 Target must be uncommon with a 4-inch barrel.

You had asked about the 4" 32-20 target. Its the only 4" target in
32-20 that I am aware of. There may be others, but I have never
seen, nor heard, of one. A fellow in Idaho found it, and happened
to be reading some of my postings, and told me about it. Took over a
year to buy it !

It had a lot of metal wear, with a couple of significant dings and dents. The grips were worn smooth.
Keith Brown did a magnificient job of recheckering them, and then finished them much like the factory
did in the first place. Dave Chicoine Jr spent a lot of time dealing with the worn areas, but I had him
try to keep the roll markings in tact. This is why the major dents are still there !

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[mikepriwer]

Here are a couple of pictures of the 32-20 4" target before refinishing.

Mike Priwer