S&w 32wcf

[LITENINGJACK]

I have a S&W wcf. It has 32W.C.F. CTG. stamped on the left side of barrel and on the right side it has a string of patent #'s that end with Sep. 14, 09. The serial # is stamped on the butt, under the barrel, and on the back of the cylinder. Ser. # is 5 digits starting with 63---, the gun is chambered for six rounds, is blued with polished hammer, trigger, and ejector. It is as new, and shows very little wear. Checkered walnut square butt. Barrel is 4in. with a fixed blade sight. Any info on the guns age and/or value would be very much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Dr.Rob]

.32-20 is a potent little bottleneck cartridge on par with some 9mm loads. Sounds like a 3rd model hand ejector to me but I'm not the S&W 'expert.'

 

[Jim K]

If the hammer and trigger are polished, the gun is not original; those parts should be color case hardened. That detail also could indicate a reblue at some time.

The collector term is ".32-20 Hand Ejector, Third Change", made from 1909 to 1915, serial numbers range from about 45201 to about 65700; your gun would fall toward the end and was probably made about 1914.

Jim

 

[LITENINGJACK]

Thanks, it may have been re-blued, the gun is pristine for its age. why 32-20? Is that a special cartridge?

 

[rcmodel]

The 32-20 Winchester center-fire (WCF) cartridge was first used in the Winchester lever-action Model 1873 rifle.
It was introduced in 1882.

It later became quite popular as a farm & ranch rifle caliber, and was also used by hunters & trappers. Rifles & carbines were made by Winchester, Marlin, Savage and others.

The popularity of the rifles accounted for it later becoming popular in companion revolvers too.

It originally produced as much as 2,100 FPS in the high-speed rifle load, and around 900- 1,000 FPS in the lower pressure revolver load.

It was a pretty powerful little round in it's day.

rc

 

[Radagast]

Be aware that the high speed jacketed rifle ammo has a habit of bulging the barrels in these guns. Use downloaded 'cowboy' loads with lead bullets. Old Western Scrounger and Black Hills can supply you with ammo.

In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $850 in excellent plus condition and $300 in good condition. The difference is in whether it has been refinished. Pics will help.

 

[rcmodel]

The 32-20 WCF Hi-Speed load was discontinued prior to WWII.

Anything you find for sale in a factory load today is loaded to 16,000 CUP, or a little less then standard pressure .38 Special.

You will find reloading data for the 32-20 WCF that is higher pressure, and intended for use only in strong lever-actions like the Winchester 92 & Marlin 1894, as well as modern six-guns like the Ruger.

rc

 

[Dr.Rob]

Colts will supposedly handle the high pressure stuff, but I wouldn't push it with a Smith. Some factory loads claim a 115gr lead bullet at 1100fps from a 6 inch barrel, thats similar to a lot of 9mm lead loads.