Date and correct model # of 22 Revolver?

one65r · #1 08-26-2011, 11:22 PM

Ok guys, I've picked up several nice S&W Revolvers and wanted to see if yall could help me round up some info on them. I've looked at the sticky's, etc. and just can't find a model/year for this pistol. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, if any of you know what kind of $ these are currently bringing, please let me know. I'm not new to guns by any means, but really just got interested in revolvers in the past year. I've got several different unique ones I'll be posting over the next few days. I can post high res pictures of any angles needed to help identify and possibly get a current value on these. This little beauty is a cream puff.

Here are the details:
-Serial # on buttplate is 577246, and this same # is also under the barrel when you swing the cylinder out.
-When you swing open the cylinder there is a "C" over 65395 and there appears to be a "9" under that.
-Grips are numbered on the inside and match the gun's serial #.
-Under the right grip at bottom of frame, there is a F3 stamped into frame.
-Barrel is Pinned.
-Adjustable Rear sight.
-Total length is 8" long and about 4.25" tall.

Thanks in advance for any input you might have.
-Sam

Muley Gil · #2 08-27-2011, 12:47 AM

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a .22/32 Kit Gun (Postwar or Transitional). Serial number range is 536685-590000, 1946-1952.

IMHO, value would be $800-$1000, maybe more.

DCWilson · #3 08-27-2011, 04:21 AM

Welcome to the forum. That is a spectacular way to introduce yourself.

Gil is correct in his identification, but I think it would probably letter to 1950 or 1951. After WWII, S&W spent nearly five years in hot and heavy production of N-frames and K-frames. With few exceptions, the small I-frame models did not get back into production until 1949-1950. A lot of the I-frames from early resumed production made use of stockpiled prewar parts, which is why they resemble them so much. By 1952, rolling redesign had paved the way for a new version, and a year later the Model of 1953 came out. It's about the same size as its predecessors, but it has a heavier barrel, larger sights, and generally doesn't have the same classic proportions as the earlier prewar and transitional models.

These postwar transitional .22/32 Kit Guns are rarely seen. Possibly fewer than 1000 were made, and it seems likely that not more than 2000 could have been produced. The highest known serial number on this model is actually a little over 600000. The numbers Gil was quoting are taken from catalogs and model summaries that were compiled several years ago; a few students of the model now have revised numbers that are a little better refined.

In that condition, I would expect a serious Kit Gun collector to pay $1500 or more for it. The prewar Kit Guns, which this model very much resembles, are routinely offered in the high 2000s or low 3000s in that condition.

Treasure that revolver. That variety rarely becomes available on the market.

Masterpiece · #4 08-27-2011, 07:45 AM

Hi Sam,
Welcome to the Forum!! What an "Exceptional" First Posting!! I am in full agreement with all of the others as far as the Model & other Info with the exception of it's Value!! I would expect this should realize "Well" into the $2000-$2500 Range,possibly more,given it's Condition & Rarity!! David is correct!! These Transitional "Kit-Gun's" don't surface very often!! "Especially" in the condition yours is in!! Super-Nice Revolver!! If it were mine,I'd also I'd have it "Lettered" to find it's Shipping Destination!! From past experience I've found some of these have "Very" interesting backgrounds!!

steveno · #5 08-27-2011, 07:54 AM

did somebody get carried away with a file on the front sight or is that normal? it looks like somebody filed a bit of a flat on it. just curious

DCWilson · #6 08-27-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveno

did somebody get carried away with a file on the front sight or is that normal? it looks like somebody filed a bit of a flat on it. just curious

That's normal. This sight is called the USRA Pocket Revolver sight, and it was one of the options on the prewar Kit Guns. The postwar guns had the pocket revolver sight as standard, and as I recall it was monolothic with the barrel; you couldn't change it for something different.

Here's a prewar KG wearing one of them:

And here's a too-dark close-up. I need to retake this photo.

one65r · #7 08-27-2011, 02:51 PM

Thanks guys for all your input. I knew there was something special about it, but I didn't realize how unique it really was. I have a handful of S&W Revolvers I just have never had time to research, so this really got me motivated to start looking them up. I've got several more I'll try and list this afternoon. Those pictures were just taken with my cell phone and the lighting was horrible. I had not wiped it down or anything. The whole thing is absolutely pristine (grips, etc.) Would this gun have been sold with a holster? When I got it, it had a very unique small holster with it and i've never looked up the maker. Braver Bros Mfg. Company in St. Louis. and an 11-13 debossed in the back.
I'll wipe it down and post some better pictures and closeup of proof marks, etc.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INPUT. I've been into guns for about 15 years, but just got interested in revolvers in the past year.

Masterpiece · #8 08-27-2011, 05:53 PM

Sam,
I very seriously doubt the Holster was included!! It may have been purchased in the same time period,but not through S&W!! Whatever you do,"Do Not" store the Revolver in the Holster!! The Tanning Oils they used can remove the Bluing in short order if left in it for extended periods!! Just thought you might like to know this!!

Can't wait to see the Photos when you get a chance to detail it!! Did you run across this by chance or were you directed to it by someone?? Reason I asked is that it looks to have one of those generic hang tags attached to the Triggerguard that alot of Gun Shops generally use!! Not important,just being nosy!!

one65r · #9 08-27-2011, 06:24 PM

No, I had put the hang tag on it when I got it. Sometimes I've picked up several at one time and I usually put a tag on there to keep them organized. I keep a 3 ring binder of info with pages on each gun I own with the history, previous owners, interesting facts, purchase and current value (that I update periodically). That way if something ever happened to me, my wife and kids would know what is what. It did not come from a gun shop. Just a friend of a friend.
Yes, I pride myself in taking care of my stuff. I would never leave anything except shooters in a holster, and enjoy carefully cleaning them as I do shooting them.

one65r · #10 08-27-2011, 07:08 PM

Ok guys, the success of this first thread has motivated me to start another one with some of the other S&W's I had. I'm not expecting these to be a diamond in the rough, but I'd appreciate any input yall could give me. I'll be thinning the heard, and would like some input before I decide which ones to keep/sell.

one65r · #11 08-29-2011, 04:55 PM

Ok, so how does this differ from a Model 34-1 22/32 Kit Gun? Is the one I pictured above just older?
What about a serial #10415_ (left off last digit) Model 34-1? Would that be a newer production? It's a square butt 4" Blued in the box.
Thanks, Sam

ar15ed · #12 08-29-2011, 06:24 PM

it is basically the predecessor to the 34s. and it is an awesome piece! i love it. it is from a very short area of production. i'd say late 49. if you notice, your (early "service") grips have rounded corners in the checkering pattern/field, as opposed to dcwilsons pic which has the earlier "sharp-border" checkering field. your thumblatch is also a tad later than dcwilsons (his is the "hourglass" type). both of the features of his gun were carried over into the "4-line address" for a very few guns, then both features were changed over to "your" features. your combination of features were produced for a very, very short amount of time.

man, i love it! did i already say that?! thanks for the pics. it is a real jewel!

ar15ed · #13 08-29-2011, 06:30 PM

alright, i have calmed down a little, and will actually try to address a couple of your questions! sorry! i love that gun!

the model of 1953 22/32 kit gun became the "model 34" in 1957. the 34-1 happened in 1960, and basically changed from the earlier "improved" i-frame to the regular "j" frame, with a little longer cylinder/window, and a little larger "regular j-frame" grip size.