They don't make S&W's like this anymore...

[.455_Hunter]

I thought you guys might enjoy some pics of my Model 1899 .32/20 Hand Ejector. I figure it left Springfield in 1901 or so. The serial number is "32XX" with the 6 1/2" barrel and matching number grips. The bore is mirror shiny with just a couple of fine pits, and the mechanical long action is perfect. The gun has seen enough use to tell some stories, but not abused. It's kinda of neat to think that all of those K-frames produced are descendants of this model. It handles and shoots like a dream with modern factory .32/20 ammo.

 

[GreenMTNLife]

thanks for sharing, very cool. I like that your not afraid to shoot it. Sorta think it's a shame when I hear of classic firearms that are almost never taken out of the safe let alone shot. Seems like experiencing the mechanical function of a fine shooting revolver should be just as much a part of owning it as admiring the aesthetics.

 

[Radagast]

Very cool. Made between 1899 & 1902. I would shoot it too.

 

[Radagast]

Thinking about it, it predates aircraft, the Model T Ford, radio communications, telephones were around, but not common, the British Empire was still the greatest power in the world, steam was the main form of engine with coal as the fuel, transportation was by steam ship or steam railway, there was no federal income tax.
An assault rifle was a Krag-Jørgensen, and the first modern battle ship the Dreadnaught was still five years away, instead of 70 years obsolete.
John Moses Browning was just starting on the series of designs that culminated in the the 1911 pistol.
And of course, instead of CNC mills the lathes, drill presses, bluing baths, and polishing wheels at S&W in Springfield would have been run by craftsmen who learnt their trade through an apprenticeship, instead of being packed off to a liberal arts college to keep them off unemployment until they turned 21.

I do like old guns. They make me _think_ about the society that produced them. And they are fun to shoot!

 

[Manco]

Nice!

If I owned an antique gun in good condition, I'd definitely shoot it, but not often and not with super-hot ammo. I think it's possible to respect such a weapon both by using it and preserving it as a historical artifact at the same time, in a balanced way. It should outlive us and still be around for following generations to shoot.

 

[.455_Hunter]

It's important to note that most current .32/20 ammo is almost a joke- barely exceeding .32 S&W Long ballistics. I would like to develop some smokeless handloads that met the pressure/performance levels of the original 20 gr (or so) FFFg BP ammunition with a 110-120 gr LFN. These guns are not "weak" by any sense of the imagination. Don't bore them out to .357 Magnum, or try to duplicate the new .327 Federal, but you can shoot some decent loads. Take a look at the Gunblast article on a sister M1899 in .38 Special- a 158 gr LRN at 850 fps is not shabby (http://gunblast.com/Cumpston_SW-MP.htm).

 

[MikeJackmin]

Is it proofed for BP or nitro?