3 1/2" barrel "22 Long Rifle Ctg"
Post war adjustable rear sight
Only 2 screws visible, grips stuck on tight.
Appears to be alloy frame
Flat latch
pinned barrel, recessed cylinders
Serial number 149xx.
Is this a Kit Gun?

[IMG][/IMG]

Welcome to the Forum.

This is an aluminum alloy framed kit gun. When model numbers were assigned by the factory, this became the Model 43.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Welcome to the forum.

It is a Kit Gun but it's the Model of 1955 22/32 Airweight Kit Gun. It has 3 screws, one under the right side stock. All regular production had 3 1/2" barrels and square butt grip frames.

It became the Model 43 after 1957.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I can't be too precise as I don't have a very close Kit Gun SN on my list, but almost certainly from 1955-56. Collectors would call it a pre-Model 43.

It's from early 1956. The change order date to delete the upper side plate screw, the 4th screw on the I and J frames (yours is a J frame) was 12/13/55.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The dates above are correct if the number you quoted is from the flat bottom of the grip frame. At this time S & W would stamp an assembly number on the frame under where the barrel threads in, which is not the SN.

If you are motivated to remove the stocks, unthread the stock screw fully while leaving it in place and tap "gently"; this should loosen the right panel (there is a pin at the bottom of the grip frame and a metal disc at the top and the panels should be snug).

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thank You Very Much!