22/32 pre war kit guns

captain john · #1 03-13-2017, 06:20 PM

Here's a couple of SW 22/32 pre war kit guns I've picked up over the years. http://attachment.php?attachmentid=2...1&d=1489443589

DCWilson · #2 03-13-2017, 06:48 PM

Very nice!

I track this model and have collected about a hundred serial numbers from the 1300 or so units produced. Would you be willing to share the serial numbers of yours either publicly or in a PM? (It looks as though each S/N may be written on the hang tag, but I can't enhance the contrast enough to read what's written reliably.)

LEO918 · #3 03-13-2017, 10:04 PM

Thanks for sharing Sir. Good stuff.

Hondo44 · #4 03-14-2017, 05:25 AM

Those are beautiful!

Do they both have recessed chambers?

Do the target stocks with gold recessed medallions have a serial # stamped on the back side of the right panel?

The gold medallions were discontinued by 1920

RKmesa · #5 03-14-2017, 08:32 PM

Great guns - would look wonderful in any silk-lined "kit".

captain john · #6 08-01-2017, 10:08 PM

Dave: Be glad to give you serial #'s. In a bit. Since I put these pics on the forum I've acquired one more pre-war and one post war engraved. I think it's around 1950. I'll get back to you and maybe I'll post a pic of all of them. Thanks capt. John

captain john · #7 08-01-2017, 10:48 PM

I hope I did this right. My collection of S&W pre and post war 22/32 kit guns. Serial #'s, clockwise from engraved post war kit gun in upper right are: 1:579856 2:532948 3:532851 4:530773
The one in the upper left I have for sale on GunBroker.com for a thousand dollars less than Fjestad's BB. Capt. John
Ladies and gents: I need a little help in running down the kit gun I have on file here. It's the one shown in the red box, engraved and has the real old style front sight. Serial # 579856. It is well engraved and I date it to about 1950. If someone else knows a little more I'd appreciate it. Thanks capt. John

Hondo44 · #8 08-02-2017, 02:04 AM

An awesome foursome. It’s hard enough to find one great condition pre war KG let alone four.

Does #530773 have recessed chambers?

Do any have factory rework dates or a star by the serial #?

Do the target stocks with gold recessed medallions have a serial # stamped on the back side of the right panel?

The gold recessed medallions were discontinued by 1920. The kit gun was introduced in 1935.

captain john · #9 08-02-2017, 02:16 PM

They all have recessed chambers.
The one with the older gold recessed medallions has a star by the serial #. None of the others do.
The target stocks with gold recessed medallions do not have a number stamped on them. I got those aftermarket. The ones on the gun were not original and crummy. I still have them-somewhere. I think the gun looks real cool with those grips on it. Thanx capt. John

DCWilson · #10 08-02-2017, 03:52 PM

The star beside a serial number indicates a return trip to the factory for some sort of repair or service. If you pull the stocks from 532851, you may see a date code for the month of that service -- 11.48, for instance, for November 1948 -- stamped on the left side of the frame in the vicinity of the strain screw.

Tom K · #11 08-04-2017, 10:50 AM

David, I just bought a pre-war kit gun last week from the estate of a retired Air Force colonel. (I also got a very nice 1917 and a .32 S&W Safety Hammerless Bicycle Gun.) The Kit Gun's serial is 531327, and it wears target grips stamped with a different serial, 530299. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance, and of the others as well.

DCWilson · #12 08-04-2017, 12:15 PM

Thanks, Tom. I appreciate every data point I can get. I look forward to the pics.

530299 might have been a KG as well; that SN lies right at the end of a deduced manufacturing block that I think were all Kit Guns.

This brings my list to 98 known Prewar KGs. I still believe that no more than 1300 were manufactured, and possibly somewhat fewer.

TomTownUSA · #13 08-04-2017, 05:33 PM

I picked up a pre war kit gun shipped in 1939 at the 2017 symposium.. It is accompanied with a factory letter and a correct labeled maroon patent date box. Roy Jinks stated after viewing that the box is correct to the gun. It was shipped with both stocks but the round butt has disappeared over the years. It is blue and in 95+% condition as is the box. Serial number 532977... I never saw a engraved example, beautiful..

Tom K · #14 08-07-2017, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom K

David, I just bought a pre-war kit gun last week from the estate of a retired Air Force colonel. (I also got a very nice 1917 and a .32 S&W Safety Hammerless Bicycle Gun.) The Kit Gun's serial is 531327, and it wears target grips stamped with a different serial, 530299. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance, and of the others as well.

Pictures added here: Estate sale Smiths - 1917, .22/32 Kit Gun