A friend just asked me if the US Army ever used a hand gun chambered in 32-20. I am completely unaware of such a beast being issued. Was it perhaps allowed as private purchase/carry? Thanks
A friend just asked me if the US Army ever used a hand gun chambered in 32-20. I am completely unaware of such a beast being issued. Was it perhaps allowed as private purchase/carry? Thanks
I think the OSS and some of the Allies might have used the .32 S&W (Harrington & Richardson and also Ivor Johnson)... but I don't know about the .32-20's.
US Military also used .32 ACP for the Colt semi-autos.
If any were used, they were privately owned, and not neccesarily authorized. But many kinds of gun were carried in the past by those whose commanders didn't care, or who were allowed options.
I'm not aware of any military contracts for the 32-20's. There were
a couple of Navy contracts for 1899's and 1902's, and a 1899 Army contract,
but those were all .38's .
It seems possible that the Army may have ordered one or more guns for
testing purposes, but to my knowledge, nothing like that has ever turned
up.
If you have a serial number, perhaps we can check it out.