[Just Smokin]

hi This is my frist post
I have a 32 -20 that i would like to get some info on
it has a s# 53662 in all the right places.
Before i spend $30.00 at s&w i was looking for any info.

Thanks

[Old Fuff]

Well the description isn't too informative... :D

But I think what you have is a S&W .32-20 1905 Hand Ejector, 3rd Change.

The 3rd Change revolvers were made between 1909 and 1915, within a serial number range running from 45,201 to 65,700. Other then the chambering they were identical to the better known Military & Police model that in 1957 became the model 10. Barrel lengths were 4, 5 and 6 inches. Standard finishes were blue or nickel plate. Square butt versions usually had checkered walnut stocks, where the round butt's had molded black hard rubber.

If this doesn't add up we'll try again...

[Just Smokin]

Thanks Old Fuff

After reading some of your posts i thought you might know .
i got this one from my father and is thought to be his father's
it has all the patn. # on the right side and 32 winchester ctg
on the left. It is in great condition and i would like to shoot it
so i am looking for ammo.
thanks again for your help and i will send for a letter from s&w.

[Old Fuff]

They didn't start heat treating cylinders until serial number 81,287 in September, 1919. Therefore stick to modest loads with lead bullets. Black Hills among others offer such loads for cowboy action match shooters.

It also lacks a positive hammer block (introduced in 1945) so carry 5 and rest the hammer on an empty chamber.

Use common sense, and you'll find it's a great shooter. :)

[Avenger]

Don't try the Winchester White Box in it. That is actually a fairly hot load, you may cause damage with any factory ammo in fact. I've had no trouble finding ammo for my Dad's Colt Army Special, but be aware that it'll be some fairly pricey stuff no matter who makes it.

[Just Smokin]

Thank's for all the info.
the other 2 gun's i recived are a colt woodsman mark 1 look'sto be made in 33-35 and a 32 iver johnson
still in the box hamerless black grips no visbal #'s excpt patn date's of may0337 mar1338 top brake for loading . It look's in great shape also but i dont
know about fireing it .
thank's again on info

[rcmodel]

The early Woodsman is not safe to use with High-Speed ammo unless it has the high-speed mainspring housing.
It won't blow up, but it will damage the gun.

How to tell?
Standard velocity housing has an oval-shaped checkered place on the back-strap.

The High-Speed housing has a rectangle shaped section with cross lines on it.

Probably it would be best to avoid Hi-Speed ammo altogether in one that old either way.

Just shoot standard velocity ammo in it and enjoy one of the best .22 pistols ever made.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[Old Fuff]

Remove the grips on the Iver Johnson, and see if a serial number isn't stamped on the side of the frame. :cool:

[jrfoxx]

Remove the grips on the Iver Johnson, and see if a serial number isn't stamped on the side of the frame.
Yup, thats where I found mine.Also Iver Johnson used batch numbers, not individual gun specific serial numbers, so there will be quite a few out there with the same number, and numbers also got recycled, so the batch number may or may not help in dating the gun.taking into account various model features can help narrow it down a little though. (or at least, all this was the case with my .38 2nd model, between the model features and batch #, still only got it down to like a 7 year range of dates.....)

[Just Smokin]

The iver johnson's # is under the grip H2296*
And the woodsman has the rectangle housing also i messed up the dates on it . the # put's it at jan 1936 to jan 1937 a good guess would put at oct-nov 1936
Thank's again keith

[GeorgeR]

The guy who inspired Eric Clapton, Robert Johnson, had a popular song recorded "Me and my 32-20" which you might want to download somewhere just for the helluvit if you own one..

[TEDDY]

Starline makes brass.if you reload.:uhoh: :confused: