question about old pistol

[sa doc]

I recently inherited an old S&W pistol and was wondering if anyone could tell me about it. Its a 6 shot revolver with a 4 inch barrel. On the barrel it says 32-20  OTG . There are patent dates of 1906, 1908, and 1914. serial number is on the buttplate and is 122xxx. There's a little surface rust, but it otherwise appears to be in good condition. Can anyone comment on the round or these revolvers. Do you think its safe to fire?  It belonged to my grandfather, and I have no intention of selling it, but what are these worth? How does the 32-20 compare to modern pistol cartridges. Are current 32-20 rounds safe to use in it?
Thanks for any help.
SA

[okie john]

You haven't given us enough information to ID your revolver. If you could post pics, we could get it exactly. If it is a Smith, it's probably safe to fire. But a lot of Spanish copies of S&W revolvers were imported into the US. If it's one of those, I wouldn't shoot it.

The 32-20 cartridge was once sold as a good choice for deer and small game. It has considerably less punch than a 38 Special, so it's too light for deer, but it would be a fine small-game round. It may be perfect for turkeys. You can run it up a bit with handloads, but hot 32-20 loads are known for having an earsplittingly loud crack.


Okie John

[Hammerdown]

I recently inherited an old S&W pistol and was wondering if anyone could tell me about it. Its a 6 shot revolver with a 4 inch barrel. On the barrel it says 32-20  OTG . There are patent dates of 1906, 1908, and 1914. serial number is on the buttplate and is 122xxx. There's a little surface rust, but it otherwise appears to be in good condition. Can anyone comment on the round or these revolvers. Do you think its safe to fire?  It belonged to my grandfather, and I have no intention of selling it, but what are these worth? How does the 32-20 compare to modern pistol cartridges. Are current 32-20 rounds safe to use in it?
Thanks for any help.
SA

Hello
As The Other responder pointed out, you did not give enough information for us to determine what revolver you are speaking of here ? If it is a true S&W it should have Smith & Wesson stamped on the side of the barrel. It also may or may not have S&W with the trade mark on the side plate of it.The 32-20 is an old cartridge that rifle and handguns shared, but the newer rifle Loads are NOT safe in most revolvers. They are a little hotter than what the old revolvers can shoot. If the ammo box is marked for handguns then the ammo is safe to fire. Most pistol ammo in this caliber will be of the Plain lead bullet type. it is very accurate and about the same power As the infamous .32 H&R Magnum round. I hope this helps, Hammerdown

[sa doc]

Do these help? It does say Smith and Wesson on the barrel and has a trademark stamp on the side.

[Hammerdown]

Do these help? It does say Smith and Wesson on the barrel and has a trademark stamp on the side.

Hello
That Helps a Bunch. The Revolver shown appears to be a Early M&P Meaning Military & Police revolver that was made prior to the start of World War II. The Single line address that is shown reading "Made in the U.S.A." was used till Post War being 1946 when S&W resumed making firearms after The War for consumers, then they changed it to the Newer Four Line address. The large Mushroom Looking head on the End of the Extractor is a Prewar style as well. This Revolver is often called a Forth series Hand ejector as well and according to the serial number it should have been made around 1937 Era. Being that it is in the 32-20 Caliber makes it a rarer find as most in this Forth Model hand eject series were either .38 S&W caliber or the .38 Special.  The caliber marking on the side of The Barrel should Read 32-20 CTG. as well, Not 32-20 OTG as you stated earlier in your Initial Post. The Grips Look to be correct on it being standard service grips from that Period, and if you take them off and Look at the rear of them they should either have the guns serial number Pencil drawn or stamped on the rear of the right panel. I would suggest you unscrew the attachment screw all the way from it's Threads, then apply a pressure on the head of the screw to remove the Panel, as they may be on there very tight as all grips back then were fitted to the frame they were intended for, and if you Pry or Force them off the guns frame it will either crack or Break them badly, so just push them off using the screwdriver on the attachmant screw like I suggested above. It is a very nice revolver but before shooting it, I would have a Gun smith look it over to determine whether it would be safe to fire. Remember to only use Pistol ammunition in this revolver as well as some of the Rifle loads for it are way too hot. I hope this helps, Hammerdown

[torpedoman]

You haven't given us enough information to ID your revolver. If you could post pics, we could get it exactly. If it is a Smith, it's probably safe to fire. But a lot of Spanish copies of S&W revolvers were imported into the US. If it's one of those, I wouldn't shoot it.

The 32-20 cartridge was once sold as a good choice for deer and small game. It has considerably less punch than a 38 Special, so it's too light for deer, but it would be a fine small-game round. It may be perfect for turkeys. You can run it up a bit with handloads, but hot 32-20 loads are known for having an earsplittingly loud crack.
My remington rolling block 32-20 has killed at least a hundred deer the last owner my uncle got one a day every day for the season every year for years he fed a lot of hungry people in the eastern coal fields with that gun.

Okie John

[sa doc]

Thanks for the help.     Hammerdown,  do  you know who makes 32-20 ammo that is labeled specifically for revolvers? None of the 32-20 ammo I've found makes a distinction.  Also, can anyone give an estimated value?
Thanks
SA

[Hammerdown]

Thanks for the help.     Hammerdown,  do  you know who makes 32-20 ammo that is labeled specifically for revolvers? None of the 32-20 ammo I've found makes a distinction.  Also, can anyone give an estimated value?
Thanks
SA

Hello SA
I really don't know who is making any more 32-20 ammo but I can tell you I shot a Remington Green & Yellow box of modern ammo through my 32-20 S&W Revolver with no ill issues. I hope this helps, Hammerdown