What caliber is this?

Grant 14 · July 10, 2022, 07:32 PM

A friend showed me his grandfathers old Marlin lever action. Very nice old gun but he has never found ammo for it. The barrel shows "32 HSP", maybe it was "32 HPS" I cant remember which, but it did not look like it had been re-marked.

I have never seen that (either way) marking before.

Any ideas???

Oliver Sudden · July 10, 2022, 08:28 PM

The Marlin would be a 32/40 Winchester cartridge. They wouldn’t mark them with Winchester name so 32 HSP .

Grant 14 · July 10, 2022, 10:30 PM

Thanks, I will tell the owner. At least 32-40 is sometimes available. I have looked at a few Marlins but never noticed an unfamiliar marking before. It will soon go to the 4th generation of ownership in the family.
Grant.

BillM · July 10, 2022, 11:21 PM

Not 32-40. Marlin 32 HPS (High Power Special) is Winchester 32 Special.

**Mike Irwin** · July 13, 2022, 02:29 PM

Bill nailed it.

I've not see a Marlin marked that for YEARS.

I get the impression that they only used that marking before World War II.

The big question is, which Marlin model is it?

An 1893 would be something of a rarity in that chambering.

paknheat · July 13, 2022, 02:56 PM

Bill beat me to it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Oliver Sudden · July 13, 2022, 10:38 PM

I stand corrected.

Grant 14 · July 14, 2022, 10:32 AM

I will let my friend know. It is an old high end gun. Nice grade of wood with checkering that shows lots of hunting time and it is a takedown. A real classic. I am not sure of the actual model. Thanks for the help.

bedbugbilly · July 15, 2022, 05:47 PM

The 32 Winchester Special cartridge was created by them in 1901 to use in their Model 94s chambered in that cartridge. It was one of the few bottlenecks that was designed to also be reloaded ny owners using cast bullets and black powder. Easily done if you owned one of the Ideal tong tools that also had the mold or you vote could also buy a Winchester bullet mold to cast with. If anyone tries reloading the Winchester 32 Spl. with cast and BP, just remember to use a BP lube to keep the fouling soft and like all BP cartridge loads, it needs to be a compressed load with no air space in the casing.

Just as an added note - many of the old Ideal reloading tong will be double stamped - one for the Winchester name for the cartridge (WCF - Winchester Center Fire) and one for Marlin's name for the same cartridge - for the above reasons already stated.

**Mike Irwin** · July 15, 2022, 06:12 PM

The .32 Winchester Center Fire is not the same cartridge as the .32 Winchester Special.

The .32 WCF's more common name these days is the .32-20. It's shorter and a lot less powerful than the .32 Special.

Ideal Tong Tools would most likely be marked .32 WS.

July 10, 2022, 07:32 PM	#1
Grant 14 Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2018 Posts: 167	What caliber is this? A friend showed me his grandfathers old Marlin lever action. Very nice old gun but he has never found ammo for it. The barrel shows "32 HSP", maybe it was "32 HPS" I cant remember which, but it did not look like it had been re-marked. I have never seen that (either way) marking before. Any ideas???

July 10, 2022, 08:28 PM	#2
Oliver Sudden Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 247	The Marlin would be a 32/40 Winchester cartridge. They wouldn’t mark them with Winchester name so 32 HSP . Last edited by Oliver Sudden; July 10, 2022 at 08:34 PM.

July 13, 2022, 02:29 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,246	Bill nailed it. I've not see a Marlin marked that for YEARS. I get the impression that they only used that marking before World War II. The big question is, which Marlin model is it? An 1893 would be something of a rarity in that chambering. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 15, 2022, 05:47 PM	#9
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,268	The 32 Winchester Special cartridge was created by them in 1901 to use in their Model 94s chambered in that cartridge. It was one of the few bottlenecks that was designed to also be reloaded ny owners using cast bullets and black powder. Easily done if you owned one of the Ideal tong tools that also had the mold or you vote could also buy a Winchester bullet mold to cast with. If anyone tries reloading the Winchester 32 Spl. with cast and BP, just remember to use a BP lube to keep the fouling soft and like all BP cartridge loads, it needs to be a compressed load with no air space in the casing. Just as an added note - many of the old Ideal reloading tong will be double stamped - one for the Winchester name for the cartridge (WCF - Winchester Center Fire) and one for Marlin's name for the same cartridge - for the above reasons already stated. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63 Last edited by bedbugbilly; July 15, 2022 at 05:57 PM.

July 15, 2022, 06:12 PM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,246	The .32 Winchester Center Fire is not the same cartridge as the .32 Winchester Special. The .32 WCF's more common name these days is the .32-20. It's shorter and a lot less powerful than the .32 Special. Ideal Tong Tools would most likely be marked .32 WS. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 10, 2022, 10:30 PM	#3
Grant 14 Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2018 Posts: 167	Thanks, I will tell the owner. At least 32-40 is sometimes available. I have looked at a few Marlins but never noticed an unfamiliar marking before. It will soon go to the 4th generation of ownership in the family. Grant.

July 10, 2022, 11:21 PM	#4
BillM Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Amity Oregon Posts: 783	Not 32-40. Marlin 32 HPS (High Power Special) is Winchester 32 Special.

July 13, 2022, 02:56 PM	#6
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 320	Bill beat me to it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

July 13, 2022, 10:38 PM	#7
Oliver Sudden Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 247	I stand corrected.

July 14, 2022, 10:32 AM	#8
Grant 14 Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2018 Posts: 167	I will let my friend know. It is an old high end gun. Nice grade of wood with checkering that shows lots of hunting time and it is a takedown. A real classic. I am not sure of the actual model. Thanks for the help.

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