In House Shipping:
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .32-20 Hand Ejector Target Model of 1905 4th Change
Serial Number: 76977
Year of Manufacture: 1917 (reference Factory Letter)
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester Center Fire (.32 WCF)
Action Type: Single Action / Double Action, Swing-Out Fluted 6-Round Cylinder With Hand Ejector Revolver
Barrel Length: 6”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a gold beaded sloped blade sight conformed to a raised base on the muzzle end of the barrel. The rear sight is a premicrometer adjustable sight with a “square” notch cut into the blade leaf on the rear of the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are square butt checkered walnut Service stocks with raised “smooth diamonds” around the grip screw escutcheons. There are some scattered very light marks, mostly on the sides at the bottom. There is one chip in the bottom edge of the right grip panel. The checkering is semi-sharp. Overall, the grips rate in about Very Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates at about 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is some finish loss on the sides of the barrel at the muzzle. There is finish loss on the crane arm.The screw heads are sharp. The grip screw is lightly worn with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has very little play on all six chambers. The double-action trigger is smooth, and the single action is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Smith & Wesson factory letter stating this revolver was shipped to Keith Simmons & Company in Nashville, Tennessee on May 28, 1917.
Our Assessment: The name Smith & Wesson has been synonymous with finely crafted American made firearms since 1852. From 1899-1940, Smith & Wesson produced one of their classic small-frame, 6-shot hand ejector model revolvers chambered in .32-20 Winchester Center Fire. .32 WCF was the first small-game lever-action cartridge from Winchester, initially introduced in 1882 as a black-powder round for small game, varmint hunting, and deer. S&W also produced a specially made target version of the .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905, with a gold bead front sight and a premicrometer adjustable rear sight, and the Target model remains twice as valuable as the standard model today.
This Smith & Wesson .32-20 Hand Ejector Target Model of 1905 4th Change was made in 1917 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 6” barrel, 98% of its lustrous, original blued finish, with vibrant, iridescent case coloring on the checkered hammer and smooth trigger, factory original target sights consisting of a gold bead front sight and a premicrometer adjustable rear sight, the original, elegant checkered walnut Service grips with raised “smooth diamonds” around the escutcheons (there is one chip in the bottom edge of the right grip), strong mechanics, a bright bore with sharp rifling, and a factory letter confirming its target configuration, and that it was shipped to Keith Simmons & Company in Nashville, Tennessee on May 28, 1917. This is a scarce S&W Target revolver in fantastic condition, and would be a wonderful addition to any collection.