The .32-20 Hand Ejector Thread

[IMC]

32/20 Hand Ejector Questions

Wow, what a great S&W resource. I have just discovered this site and this is a first post, so please forgive any mistakes I may make regarding protocol and etiquette.

I have a nice old 32/20 hand ejector revolver and have several questions. The revolver is blued, has a round butt, hard rubber grips, has S & W logos on both grips and right side of frame, the barrel is marked "32 Winchester Ctg." on the left side and is 5" long. The serial # is 15XXX and the last patent date on the barrel is Dec. 17, '01. This is a nice old revolver in tight, completely original condition -- perhaps fired fewer than 10 or 15 times -- ownership believed always in the same family.

(1) From the low serial number and last patent date of 1901, I would guess this is an early revolver, maybe the original or first variation -- your thoughts anyone?

(2) The bluing on the frame and cylinder is in pretty nice condition for the age, but the barrel is a fairly uniform brownish/grey color -- can anyone offer an explanation for this difference (it looks sort of like the barrel finish "aged" differently)?

(3) From the above information, can anyone offer some general idea of what this revolver might be worth in today's market (complete with original flap type leather holster)?

(4) Any one interested in purchasing this one?

Thanks for any information you might provide and for this great S & W website.

IMC

 

[Mike McLellan]

Where has this fine old thread been hiding? I'm tempted to print out the whole thing. My two .32-20s are great shooters. I have #54785 with fixed sights (circa 1913) & #65575 with target sights (circa 1915).

 

[Muley Gil]

Wow, what a great S&W resource. I have just discovered this site and this is a first post, so please forgive any mistakes I may make regarding protocol and etiquette.

I have a nice old 32/20 hand ejector revolver and have several questions. The revolver is blued, has a round butt, hard rubber grips, has S & W logos on both grips and right side of frame, the barrel is marked "32 Winchester Ctg." on the left side and is 5" long. The serial # is 15XXX and the last patent date on the barrel is Dec. 17, '01. This is a nice old revolver in tight, completely original condition -- perhaps fired fewer than 10 or 15 times -- ownership believed always in the same family.

(1) From the low serial number and last patent date of 1901, I would guess this is an early revolver, maybe the original or first variation -- your thoughts anyone?

(2) The bluing on the frame and cylinder is in pretty nice condition for the age, but the barrel is a fairly uniform brownish/grey color -- can anyone offer an explanation for this difference (it looks sort of like the barrel finish "aged" differently)?

(3) From the above information, can anyone offer some general idea of what this revolver might be worth in today's market (complete with original flap type leather holster)?

(4) Any one interested in purchasing this one?

Thanks for any information you might provide and for this great S & W website.

IMC

Welcome to the Forum.

You have .32-20 Hand Ejector Model 1902-1st Change. It was shipped from the factory between 1903-1905.

 

[IMC]

War Eagle,

Thanks for the scripture quote, your welcome, your reply, and the helpful information.

Best,
IMC

 

[IMC]

Another 32/20 Question

War Eagle, or anyone -- Help!

I among the many confused folks about what ammo is safe to shoot in my early, apparently not heat treated cylinder, Model 1902, 1 st change 32/20 hand ejector revolver of about 1903-1905.

I have a full box (green box) of factory Remington Hi-Speed cartridges marked on the box: 32-20 WIN., 100 GRAIN LEAD, INDEX 4232 -- are these OK to shoot in my revolver?

I believe this is the ammo used by the previous owner, but still wonder. I don't want to damage this fine old gun, or myself.

Thanks for your help,

IMC

 

[Hondo44]

War Eagle, or anyone -- Help!

I among the many confused folks about what ammo is safe to shoot in my early, apparently not heat treated cylinder, Model 1902, 1 st change 32/20 hand ejector revolver of about 1903-1905.

I have a full box (green box) of factory Remington Hi-Speed cartridges marked on the box: 32-20 WIN., 100 GRAIN LEAD, INDEX 4232 -- are these OK to shoot in my revolver?

I believe this is the ammo used by the previous owner, but still wonder. I don't want to damage this fine old gun, or myself.

Thanks for your help,

IMC

As long as it isn't marked "For Rifles Only", you're OK.

 

[BlackAgnes]

Here's a crummy picture of an old-timer that I had restored--just because I wanted to. I picked it up, sad as it was, because many years ago I read a Skeeter Skelton piece describing how he once used a round-butt .32-20 with a 4: barrel--so I had to have it!

 

[Muley Gil]

"Here's a crummy picture of an old-timer that I had restored--just because I wanted to. I picked it up, sad as it was, because many years ago I read a Skeeter Skelton piece describing how he once used a round-butt .32-20 with a 4: barrel--so I had to have it!"

I feel for you. Ole Skeet is directly responsible for the .32-20s that have passed through my hands. Also, M27s, M19s, and of course-THE .44 SPECIALS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[45Wheelgun]

A few pictures of my 1923 vintage 1905 4th Change .32-20 Target. Seen on the forum before, but she belongs here in this thread.

 

[TejanoViejo]

Apologies, in advance, please, from a "new" ol' guy, if my question(s) have already been asked & answered elsewhere; however, my search efforts have proven unnsuccesful thus far:

I recently acquired a nice example of a Model 1905 (1st change), .32-20, serial # 30832, with a round butt, which needs approriate grips.

My Question(s), Please: 1. On what frame is this revolver, if not a K?? {{ my guess] 2. Which are the correct/original type grips? 3. What other info other than correct frame/model designation (w/round butt) do I need to obtain a proper fit via on-line search/order?

Thanks !!!, ... in advance, as well ;>)

 

[DWalt]

TV, with a round butt, some here would insist with great vigor that you have a Model of 1902, ca. 1907, not a Model of 1905, which has a square butt. There have been many postings here concerning "correct" nomenclature, but the fact is there is no real difference between the Model of 1902 and the Model of 1905 other than the shape of the grip - I like to call it a distinction without a difference. They are both K frames - one round butt, the other square butt. The original period grip panels would normally have been black hard rubber. However, there are lots of other round butt K type grips on the market if you are flexible. There are even grips that "convert" a round butt to a square butt. Look on eBay. Lots of different round butt grips show up there, including originals. There are also replica grips available, and internet gun auction sites are also good sources.

 

[TejanoViejo]

Just a little help, if you please . . .

First of all, my apologies, in advance, please, if my questions have already been asked & answered elsewhere; however, my search efforts have otherwise proven unsuccessful . . .

I recently acquired a very nice example of a Model 1905 (1st change), .32-20, serial # 30832, round butt, but which is sorely in need of grips.

My question(s) are as follows, please
1.- On what frame is this model, if not the K ? {unknown by me, only my best guess]
2.- What is/are the correct/orginal type grips ??
3.- What additional info << other than "correct" frame designation and butt type >> is required to increase my chances of a proper fit via on-line search/order - i.e., will grips for other model/frame size(s) "work", too ???

Thanks, also, in advance, for any assistance whatsoever as being most appreciated . . .

 

[DWalt]

TV, You just made a duplicate posting. I responded to the first one.

 

[TejanoViejo]

Thanks, DW . . . Sorry about the double post, I thought I lost the first one.

 

[ibewbull]

 

[sigp220.45]

I can finally join the club, now that I have my first one that says this:





Its probably as common as they come, but it sure feels nice. The holster looks old, but its from the 70s I think. They look good together.



I missed the mismatched grips, but the price was alarmingly low, so I don't mind. They started off with diamonds and checkering, but have worn smooth over the decades.



I think I'll invest in a letter for this one. I feel lucky - maybe it wasn't shipped to Simmons Hardware in St Louis like almost everything else I letter.

I just imagine this one under the scratchy wool suit coat of a Baldwin-Felts gunthug riding the train to a West Virginia coal town to bust some heads.

Serial number is 126592.

 

[Seven3]

I saw a .32-20 1905 hand ejector in a LGS a few days ago, and was sorely tempted. The main thing that stopped me is ammo availability ( or lack thereof). Do most of you guys who own these guns reload, and if not, where do you get ammo? I don't buy 'em if I can't shoot 'em.

 

[sigp220.45]

I saw a .32-20 1905 hand ejector in a LGS a few days ago, and was sorely tempted. The main thing that stopped me is ammo availability ( or lack thereof). Do most of you guys who own these guns reload, and if not, where do you get ammo? I don't buy 'em if I can't shoot 'em.

I haven't shot mine yet, but I had a box squirreled away. .32-20 is still loaded by Black Hills in a Cowboy loading, and by Remington and Winchester, but it ain't cheap. I'm on the hunt for some Lyman 310 dies for it.

 

[Sebago Son]

I have a few .32-20 HE's but the photos of this one were already on file..





5", late flat-top. 124,000 or so IIRC.



I shoot this one because I can actually see the sights!

 

[Skeetr57]

sigp220.45: I think that the holster is older than you believe. My Father carried a 4" S&W in a holster like that at one time. He was an officer in the local sheriffs department from 1937 to 1961, and carried the .32-20 from the beginning until about 1955. His first holster was like the one shown, and was designed for cross draw use. Dad carried his revolvers in the cross draw style because it was easier to draw the gun that way while driving.