What should I expect to pay for a 32-20 Hand Ejector?

[Model19man]

I spent most of the day at the Wanenmacher Arms show today in Tulsa. Saw a lot of early 32-20 Hand Ejectors for sale. I wanted one but realized I have no idea what they are worth. I saw one made in 1916 that had minimal blue loss (none that I could see), with what appeared to be the original box made in 1916. The guy was asking $1050 for that one.

Another one was maybe a hair less condition wise, with slight holster wear on the tip of the barrel. It had no box. They guy was asking $875 and then told me he had some "wiggle room". I was tempted but need more knowledge. Anyone care to educate me?

Both of the above revolvers had later factory grips that needed replacing. Did S&W offer the 32-20 Hand Ejector after WWII?

 

[Muley Gil]

No, the .32-20 revolvers were not in the catalog post WW II.

Prices can range from $300 and up, these days. It all depends on condition, box, etc. I personally like 5" round butt K frames, but your choice may be different.

Look at as many as you can and buy the one that speaks to you.

 

[JP@AK]

As Gil stated, there were no postwar M&Ps chambered for the .32-20 Winchester cartridge.

To put a finer point on it, production actually stopped in about 1930. So many of them were in the vault by that time, that the model remained in the S&W catalog until 1940.

So, you can be pretty sure that any .32-20 HE you come across will date to no later than 1930 (manufacture), regardless of when it shipped.

As to the price, those numbers would have been considered on the verge of outrageous just a few short years ago. Now, maybe not so much. I've never paid more than $600 for one and that one was a target model. But the last one I bought was a few years back. If you found a nice one (with little finish wear) for $700 or so, you probably should gobble it up. Above that, it is just in how much you want one.

Good luck in your search.

 

[ralph7]

Run your fingers up and down the barrel of a prospective gun. There are a lot of 32-20's that have barrel bulges due to the early ammo shedding partial jackets and subsequent fired rounds passing over the shed remnants, creating a bulge that can be more easily felt than seen.

 

[DWalt]

S&W dropped the M&Ps chambered in .32-20 in the late 1920s, but cataloged and sold them out inventory throughout the 1930s. As shooters, the great difficulty with any .32-20 revolver is scarce and expensive ammunition. Loading your own is the best answer. Colt made a greater variety of revolvers in .32-20 than S&W, which offered only the K-frame 1899, 1902, 1905, and M&P models.

Even though S&W revolvers chambered in .32-20 are much more uncommon than the exact same revolvers chambered in .38 Special, they generally do not sell at a scarcity premium price, given condition equivalency. It would take a pristine and in-the-box condition .32-20 M&P to entice me to part with anywhere near $1000.

 

[glowe]

Both were double what they are worth unless they are target guns. Sign in to Gunbroker and search for 32-20 S&Ws. You will find very nice examples that sold for $500 +/-. A couple examples of 32-20s that sold within the last 2 months are below. First two images sold for $480 and the second two images sold for $615. There are probably 50 guns that either sold or did not listed in the last two months. Those over $1,000 had no bids and those that sold averaged around $500.

Targets are a different story and if in a box, easily worth $2,000 in nice condition. I collect 32-20s and only have one in a box in the last image.

 

[glowe]

. . . So, you can be pretty sure that any .32-20 HE you come across will date to no earlier than 1930 (manufacture), regardless of when it shipped . . .

Jack, I might have not understood the statement above, but I think the term 32-20 used by the OP was not necessarily meaning that the barrel was stamped 32-20. There was a mention of a 1916 gun.

For the OP, what happened over time was that the name of the caliber changed. First stamped 32 WINCHESTER, then 32 W.C.F., then finally 32-20.

32-20 Barrel Stampings
From 1899 until 1913 - 32 Winchester CTG. (left side of barrel)
From 1914 until 1922 - 32 W.C.F. CTG (right side of barrel)
From about 1922-23 until the end of production - 32-20 CTG. (right side of barrel)

 

[JP@AK]

Jack, I might have not understood the statement above, but I think the term 32-20 used by the OP was not necessarily meaning that the barrel was stamped 31-20. There was a mention of a 1916 gun.

Gary
You are correct. I meant to write "no later" rather than "no earlier." I wasn't thinking of the barrel marking at all. Just wrote the wrong word. Thanks for picking up on that.

This is correct:

32-20 Barrel Stampings
From 1899 until 1913 - 32 Winchester CTG. (left side of barrel)
From 1914 until 1922 - 32 W.C.F. CTG (right side of barrel)
From about 1922-23 until the end of production - 32-20 CTG. (right side of barrel)

The last change seems to have come along in about mid-1922. I forget the change order date, but I think it was April or May.

 

[Model19man]

OK this is all very helpful. I have seen one target version on GB and thought it was overpriced at over $3K with some wear evident. All the examples I saw today were either 5 or 6 inch barrels and blued. I probably would own one if I had offered the one guy $700 for his $875 gun "with wiggle room".

I do reload and have a few (maybe 50) empty cases. I can't remember the last time I bought factory ammo but certainly it must be 20 or 30 years ago.

 

[Drm50]

I see all kind of 1905s in 32/20 from $300-$500 in fixed sight models. Has to be really clean to bring $500. Most 4” guns. I’ve been looking for 1905 Target and price is crazy on them. I think 32/20s are regional to some extent.

 

[austintexas]

32-20

Last one I bought was a 30% finish, 6 incher BUT it had a pristine cylinder and bore. paid $200, great shooter and I turned it into a target by adding a m-14 rear sight and a patridge front. Before that I picked up 2, 4 inchers, one blue and one nickel. The nickel came with a factory letter and a box of ammo. I paid less than $500 for eather one.
SWCA 892

 

[delcrossv]

...

Targets are a different story and if in a box, easily worth $2,000 in nice condition. I collect 32-20s and only have one in a box in the last image.

Yep.

 

[LEO918]

These were about $600 - $650 a couple of years ago.

 

[max503]

There's a very well-used one at the LGS for $750. It's been there for like 6 months so far.

 

[DWalt]

The nicest .32-20 I have is a Colt Army Special from 1911, probably in the 95% condition range. It would probably take something close to a Grand to get me into a selling mode. The one I shoot the most is a reblued M&P from 1926. Not a factory reblue, but pretty good.

 

[Model19man]

I see all kind of 1905s in 32/20 from $300-$500 in fixed sight models. Has to be really clean to bring $500. Most 4” guns. I’ve been looking for 1905 Target and price is crazy on them. I think 32/20s are regional to some extent.

Looking on GB and GI I don't see any I like in that sort of price range. Looks like a really good one is going to be over $1K easily. There are a bunch of beaters that go for $575 - $750.

 

[Drm50]

You got to get off them online sights to find decent prices. I have seen 32/20s marked as 32s. At shows and shops because people actually don’t know what 32/20 is. Actually a hard sell unless a guy wants one. Ammo is to expensive unless you roll your own.

 

[glowe]

I cannot agree with the getting offline. If one needs instant gratification, it will normally come at a high price which will not reflect current values. I have one LGS and a couple gun shows in my area so almost all my purchases are online. The 32 Winchester Targets below were all found on online auctions of guns for sale sites.

Buying what you want is not just a casual check of GB. Take your time and search it every week. Use sold items as a valuation tool. There are also a myriad of gun auctions held online almost every day online. Take your time and use GB as a research tool in addition to finding what you want. Search "Advanced" and "Completed Auctions". It clearly shows how many guns were sold, how many were not, and for how much. Great tool to show what any model and caliber is selling for and those that do not sell give one an indication of too high prices.

 

[Hawg Rider]

My 6" M&P .32-20 (aka Model of 1905 4th Change) is ca. 1923 (s/n 118705). Mechanically excellent, no barrel bulge, original stocks, but with some finish issues...but I was looking for a shooter. Very accurate and fun to shoot with Cowboy Action loads. I bought this one from a fellow Forum member a couple of years ago for $475. There was a time when not many folks were looking for .32-20 caliber firearms, but things have certainly changed. I've seen these similar condition examples selling for north of $800.

 

[Model19man]

I cannot agree with the getting offline. If one needs instant gratification, it will normally come at a high price which will not reflect current values. I have one LGS and a couple gun shows in my area so almost all my purchases are online. The 32 Winchester Targets below were all found on online auctions of guns for sale sites.

Buying what you want is not just a casual check of GB. Take your time and search it every week. Use sold items as a valuation tool. There are also a myriad of gun auctions held online almost every day online. Take your time and use GB as a research tool in addition to finding what you want. Search "Advanced" and "Completed Auctions". It clearly shows how many guns were sold, how many were not, and for how much. Great tool to show what any model and caliber is selling for and those that do not sell give one an indication of too high prices.

Yep, been looking at GB and GI for maybe a week, no great deals to be had on either of them. I was hoping to see something at the show but I was overwhelmed at the size, and I should have gone Saturday because by 2:00 Sunday everyone was tearing down and leaving.