I have been trying to find some info on the pre 43 (no model number) and they seem to be very rare Cant find a thread on them. ..... Mine is an I frame, 1 3/8 aluminum cyl and a 3 1/2 inch bbl. Aluminum frame and Ser.# 33433. The last 3 is floating and seems to be an after thought. Square butt...... Any help on manf date and some Idea on price......Len

Welcome! It is likely a late non-model stamped gun from about 1957. Value is largely dependent on condition, so a detailed description or photos would help.

If you use the Google Custom Search on the Search function, it will come up with this:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/searchr...+Kit+Gun&sa=Go

Hope this is helpful.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks for the quick reply. I will post photos later. How about total production numbers. Not sure how common these models are but I bought this one in the early 1960's.

Welcome to the forum.

You have a "Model of 1955 .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight" built only on the J frame from its introduction. There are no I frame, or New I frame Airweights, in any caliber. Unlike other Airweights, the .22/32s were not stamped as such on the barrel. They were all sq butt with 3 1/2" barrels with very few exceptions in 2".

They have a serial # range of 5000-135465 within the all steel .22/32 range and were made until 1974. So not known how many were made, but I'd guess at about 15-20% of .22/32 production until 1974, therefore maybe 19500 to 26000.

Yours, # 33433 is most likely from the early 1958 period, especially indicated since it's not yet stamped Mod 43. Model numbers were assigned June 1957 but due to those already in production before stamping model #s, Mod 43 stamped guns didn't start showing up until many months later.

'Distant relative' Airweights were eventually re-introduced more recently and are made to date.

I hope that this is helpful.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks Jim...Great info. Looks like we will never know the production numbers of the aluminum cylinder models. What confused me, till your post, was my kit gun cylinder measured 1.443 verses 1.535 on my model 37 (no dash). But I just measured the frame opening and it is the same. The 22 cal barrel is set back a little further. Again thanks...Len

To the OP, here is a link to my thread about the Model of 1955 (pre model 43). Mine has a 4-digit serial number and was shipped in November 1954. 1955 22/32 Kit Gun Airweight added to collection

__________________
Baby Chief Admirer
SWCA 2870

Thanks Baby Chief....My Barrel in also not stamped "Airweight". I wonder if the Aluminum Frame and Aluminum Cylinder were always a combo on these pre 34's... Len

Yes the Pre Mod 43s and Model 43s were all made with both frame and cylinder of alum alloy.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819