Value of a Smith and Wesson 1905 32-20 6in

Stepahead24 · September 10, 2018, 08:34 PM

I’m new to the site and have read a lot of great info. A family member passed and left me this and I have seen so many diff values. I don’t do old revolvers. Blueing is bout 97% super nice piece. SN is 1394xx Help.

Thiokol · September 10, 2018, 09:20 PM

You'll need to provide a lot more information than just the serial number if you expect to get a realistic value. Good pictures would go a long way in being able to evaluate your gun.

Dufus · September 10, 2018, 10:10 PM

Look around on GB and see if you can find something similar.

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search...=S%26W%2032-20

T. O'Heir · September 11, 2018, 12:36 PM

Hi. There's more to the condition than the percentage bluing left. What's the barrel like? The grips? I think which 'change' matters too. So does the 6" barrel. Most of 'em are 4".
There are a bunch on Gunbroker(lotta dealers trying to get rich on the auction sites) starting at around $3-400ish and going up. Where you are makes a difference too. Local supply and demand matters.
Pictures for sure, but it's still difficult to put a value on stuff with just a picture.

Pathfinder45 · September 11, 2018, 01:45 PM

Welcome to The Firing Line. Some pictures are always helpful. Since you,"don't do old revolvers", does that mean that you are planning to sell this piece? Since it could be considered to be a Family Heirloom, now would be a good time to start doing old revolvers. It's kind of a nifty caliber with power comparable to the 38 Special, suitable for small game and self defense; if it shoots well, what's not to like?

Northrider · September 12, 2018, 02:21 AM

Find a copy of Big Blue Book of Gun Values and look there. It has good pictures of different levels of bluing and gives very good descriptions of all the firearms listed.
Amazon and Barnes and Nobel want too much for the book. I picked up the newest the other day at Sportsman's Warehouse for 40 bucks. Money well spent.

jar · September 12, 2018, 06:26 AM

Another vote for Doing Old Revolvers. My primary carry today is a 1926 Colt Police Positive 38 and an even older S&W DA Model 4 as a backup.

Drm50 · September 19, 2018, 07:20 PM

I recently traded a high condition 6" 1905, 4th change 32/20 even up for a m18
hi condition even up. So I would say $550-$650 for a really nice gun both running gears, bore and exterior finish. Good shooters with honest carry wear
$300-$400. I have been looking for a Target model. $1200-$1500 and I haven't
broke down and bought one----yet. I have a top condition Target 38, it's worth
about 30% less than same gun in 32/20.

Thiokol · September 19, 2018, 07:31 PM

The OP hasn't been back since he made the original post. I guess that he wasn't really that interested in getting help.

September 10, 2018, 08:34 PM	#1
Stepahead24 Junior Member Join Date: September 10, 2018 Posts: 1	Value of a Smith and Wesson 1905 32-20 6in I’m new to the site and have read a lot of great info. A family member passed and left me this and I have seen so many diff values. I don’t do old revolvers. Blueing is bout 97% super nice piece. SN is 1394xx Help.

September 11, 2018, 12:36 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Hi. There's more to the condition than the percentage bluing left. What's the barrel like? The grips? I think which 'change' matters too. So does the 6" barrel. Most of 'em are 4". There are a bunch on Gunbroker(lotta dealers trying to get rich on the auction sites) starting at around $3-400ish and going up. Where you are makes a difference too. Local supply and demand matters. Pictures for sure, but it's still difficult to put a value on stuff with just a picture. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

September 12, 2018, 06:26 AM	#7
jar Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2001 Location: Deep South Texas Posts: 1,668	Another vote for Doing Old Revolvers. My primary carry today is a 1926 Colt Police Positive 38 and an even older S&W DA Model 4 as a backup. __________________ To be vintage it's gotta be older than me!

September 10, 2018, 09:20 PM	#2
Thiokol member Join Date: March 29, 2006 Location: Northeast Illinois Posts: 67	You'll need to provide a lot more information than just the serial number if you expect to get a realistic value. Good pictures would go a long way in being able to evaluate your gun.

September 10, 2018, 10:10 PM	#3
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	Look around on GB and see if you can find something similar. https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search...=S%26W%2032-20

September 11, 2018, 01:45 PM	#5
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Welcome to The Firing Line. Some pictures are always helpful. Since you,"don't do old revolvers", does that mean that you are planning to sell this piece? Since it could be considered to be a Family Heirloom, now would be a good time to start doing old revolvers. It's kind of a nifty caliber with power comparable to the 38 Special, suitable for small game and self defense; if it shoots well, what's not to like?

September 12, 2018, 02:21 AM	#6
Northrider Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2011 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 228	Find a copy of Big Blue Book of Gun Values and look there. It has good pictures of different levels of bluing and gives very good descriptions of all the firearms listed. Amazon and Barnes and Nobel want too much for the book. I picked up the newest the other day at Sportsman's Warehouse for 40 bucks. Money well spent.

September 19, 2018, 07:20 PM	#8
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,378	I recently traded a high condition 6" 1905, 4th change 32/20 even up for a m18 hi condition even up. So I would say $550-$650 for a really nice gun both running gears, bore and exterior finish. Good shooters with honest carry wear $300-$400. I have been looking for a Target model. $1200-$1500 and I haven't broke down and bought one----yet. I have a top condition Target 38, it's worth about 30% less than same gun in 32/20.

September 19, 2018, 07:31 PM	#9
Thiokol member Join Date: March 29, 2006 Location: Northeast Illinois Posts: 67	The OP hasn't been back since he made the original post. I guess that he wasn't really that interested in getting help.