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Jeff olson

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1124211543.jpg 1124211544a.jpg 1124211544.jpg 1124211546.jpg I recently attended an estate sale. Listed were several "old handguns and long guns". No specifics. So with my dismal knowledge of very old handguns I took a gamble. Now what I think I have is a 32-20 hand ejector model of 1905 shipping somewhere around 1906. The second I believe to be a pre model 15 shipping somewhere around 1949? They're in very nice condition so I'm sure my bid was a little over zealous, but I'm happy regardless.
 
Nice! It looks like you found a couple of nice old Smiths there, congrats! :thumbup:

Hopefully Driftwood Johnson or one of the other S&W experts can shine more light on your two guns.

If you do go out and shoot them, let us know how they shot for you when you get back :).

Stay safe.
 
I am green with envy! I would happily go to jail for stealing that 'pre 14', it would be worth it!
 
One really desirable aspect
of the pre-14 .38 Target
Masterpiece is
it has the thin or sculpted
barrel rather than the typical
Model 14 "heavy" barrel.
It also has the high speed Or fish hook hammer.
 
Jeff olson

I would say you did very well at the estate sale! The pre-Model 14 is in great shape with it's matching numbered grips and I love the round butt configuration of the Model 1905 in .32-20!
 
Howdy

The first one, with the four inch barrel and curved butt with hard rubber grips is interesting. Yes, it is a 32-20 Hand Ejector, Model of 1905. Does the Serial Number you show on the inside of the grips also appear on the bottom of the butt? If so, that is a 32-20 Hand Ejector, 2nd Change. The range of Serial Numbers for that model runs from 33501 through 45200. These were made from 1906 until 1909, when the 3rd Change kicked in with some internal changes.

Caution: That revolver probably does not have a hammer block inside. If it does, it is an old, obsolete version of the hammer block. In extreme situations, if dropped on the hammer with a loaded round under the hammer, this model could discharge.

I'm not sure when S&W stopped making the 38 Military and Police with a round grip. This 38 Military and Police left the factory in 1939. Now notice how different the shape of the knob on the front of your ejector rod is from the front of the ejector rod on this one. The mushroom shaped cap says your 32-20 is much older than this example, it would be consistent with a S&W revolver made in that earlier time period.

pmWxE4IAj.jpg




The larger revolver is easier to pin down. Officially, that model was known as the K-38 Masterpiece, although some call it a 'pre-model 14'.

First produced in 1948, this was the first 38 Special revolver that S&W produced with the modern 'click adjustable' rear sight. Earlier target 38s had two tiny screws to adjust for windage, the new rear sight used one large screw on the right side of the sight. This one shipped in 1950. In 1957, when S&W went to a model numbering system, the K-38 Masterpiece became the Model 14.

pmTP0iwoj.jpg




The Serial Number on the butt of your K-38 Masterpiece indicates it shipped in 1948, the first year of production. This model should be completely safe to load with six rounds, it should have the modern style hammer block inside that S&W has put inside every revolver since 1944. Unless some idiot removed the hammer block. Notice the shape of the hammer. This was called the Speed Hammer and it was an early version of the 'short throw ' hammer. The front sight is known as a Patridge front sight, designed for target shooting, not so great for drawing from a holster because it can drag bits of leather with it.

The caliber marking on S&W revolvers of this era used what was known as the Lazy Ampersand.

po2BJntDj.jpg




Note too, your K-38 has the early style tapered barrel with a narrow rib. Later versions of the K-38 had a barrel the same diameter its whole length and had a wider rib.

pnDohvVkj.jpg




Your K-38 Masterpiece appears to be in excellent condition. You will notice there is a little bit of muzzle wear on mine.
 
Last edited:
Howdy

The first one, with the four inch barrel and curved butt with hard rubber grips is interesting. Yes, it is a 32-20 Hand Ejector, Model of 1905. Does the Serial Number you show on the inside of the grips also appear on the bottom of the butt? If so, that is a 32-20 Hand Ejector, 2nd Change. The range of Serial Numbers for that model runs from 33501 through 45200. These were made from 1906 until 1909, when the 3rd Change kicked in with some internal changes.

Caution: That revolver probably does not have a hammer block inside. If it does, it is an old, obsolete version of the hammer block. In extreme situations, if dropped on the hammer with a loaded round under the hammer, this model could discharge.

I'm not sure when S&W stopped making the 38 Military and Police with a round grip. This 38 Military and Police left the factory in 1939. Now notice how different the shape of the knob on the front of your ejector rod is from the front of the ejector rod on this one. The mushroom shaped cap says your 32-20 is much older than this example, it would be consistent with a S&W revolver made in that earlier time period.

View attachment 1040430




The larger revolver is easier to pin down. Officially, that model was known as the K-38 Masterpiece, although some call it a 'pre-model 14'.

First produced in 1948, this was the first 38 Special revolver that S&W produced with the modern 'click adjustable' rear sight. Earlier target 38s had two tiny screws to adjust for windage, the new rear sight used one large screw on the right side of the sight. This one shipped in 1950. In 1957, when S&W went to a model numbering system, the K-38 Masterpiece became the Model 14.

View attachment 1040431




The Serial Number on the butt of your K-38 Masterpiece indicates it shipped in 1948, the first year of production. This model should be completely safe to load with six rounds, it should have the modern style hammer block inside that S&W has put inside every revolver since 1944. Unless some idiot removed the hammer block. Notice the shape of the hammer. This was called the Speed Hammer and it was an early version of the 'short throw ' hammer. The front sight is known as a Patridge front sight, designed for target shooting, not so great for drawing from a holster because it can drag bits of leather with it.

The caliber marking on S&W revolvers of this era used what was known as the Lazy Ampersand.

View attachment 1040432




Note too, your K-38 has the early style tapered barrel with a narrow rib. Later versions of the K-38 had a barrel the same diameter its whole length and had a wider rib.

View attachment 1040433




Your K-38 Masterpiece appears to be in excellent condition. You will notice there is a little bit of muzzle wear on mine.
Apologies for the lack of frame #. That was kind of stupid on my part. 1124211544b.jpg
 
Wow! I do not have a 32-20 but based on the ballistics, you have a powerful little pistol there. And it looks great. Wish I could offer advice on ammunition choices.
 
Nice picks! Slug the throats and bore of the .32WCF. My 2nd change 1905 had .315” throats and a .315” bore. Gunsmith said it most probably didn’t leave the factory like that but it was pretty common back in the early days of smokeless for folks with matching caliber WCF handguns and rifles to have the handgun chambers and bore matched up with the rifle so they could share ammo. It’s a slim possibility but if you plan to shoot it you’ll want to know the throats/bore dimensions anyway. Enjoy. You picked a couple of real winners!
 
Obsolete for personal defense these days, but a fantastic target revolver and useful for small game, too.
 
Howdy Again

I have three firearms chambered for 32-20, or 32WCF as Winchester called it. The Model 1892 Winchester left the factory in 1911. The Smith and Wesson 32-20 Hand Ejector on the left, shipped in 1916. The Colt Police Positive Special on the right is the newest of the bunch, it shipped in 1926.

pl00dO3lj.jpg




Tough to find 32-20 ammo on the shelf, even in good times. I have had this stuff for a while. Forget about that price on the Winchester box on the right, I bought it a long time ago.

po8gAEbxj.jpg




I do have all the components necessary to load 32-20, and I have dies too. Just never got around to loading any. Probably would be a good winter-time project.
 
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