Here is the 22/32 I wrote about recently. The sellers picture showed a very dull blue and the pic was a little fuzzy. I got the gun yesterday, and it is a 97%er, and beautiful high polish blue.
Stocks are 11 numbers off. I bought this gun for $400 shipped expecting a low grade shooter, but really was surprised when I opened the gun rug it was in. # 435642, somewhere around 1929 is as close as I can guess. Please do not call the gun police. Big Larry

Nobody needs to call the gun police.....certainly they are on their way.
Nice purchase!

It sure looks like a winner!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Nice HFT. The ship dates for serial numbers above and below yours are in the 1926-1927 range. Since the barrel shaped ejector rod was ordered in January, 1927, I would guess that one shipped in that year.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Very nice. You did really well for $400.

I guess! I paid more than that for mine . . .

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Good gravy, that was a steal. Congratulations!

That is a real gem.

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Ken

It’s already been said, but I’ll repeat, “Ya done good!” Not just as curio or relic, if you want a pre-War shooter that will be a fine one as well. I had to have mine rebuilt (with a NOS factory barrel) and I certainly still have more in it. I’ll mention that the Regulation Police grips of the day were also available for it and I like the look and feel they give mine.

Froggie

Yet another fine firearm that yet someone else gets lol I just am not lucky enough .Sriously congratulation you are going to love that one probabaly already do

I'm not sure if the stars are in alignment or what, but there are some extremely nice S&Ws coming out of the woodwork lately. Keep an eye out, you may be surprised what you come across.

Thanks for all the nice responses. This one just fell in my lap. I have bought a few guns in the past month. I like to letter mine, but at $70 each? Retired and have to watch my $$$. Thanks again Forum members, it is appreciated. Big Larry

Could you post some more photos as I just found this thread and don't have any .22/32 HFT's beginning with 435.

Thanks

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James Redfield
LM #497

Sorry, this is the only pic I have. Big Larry

Big Larry,

I agree with your estimate of production, 1928-29. Although it's a low serial # for that period, the gun's features confirm it.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Yes, the S&W book skirts the issue. I will letter it, and three others I have. All M&P's from the early days. Thanks, Big Larry

I don't know that this is of any significance or not, but 444707 shipped March 8, 1927.

Ralph Tremaine

Hi Ralph. Makes mine earlier than we thought,maybe. A letter will tell all. Thanks, Big Larry

Are you absolutely certain of that serial number? All of the guns around yours number wise have the mushroom style extractor rod knob which I refer to as the LERK, Large Extractor Rod Knob. From your photo, it appears to have the MERK, Medium Extractor Rod Knob.

I would definitely put your gun, if serial number is correct, as having shipped in 1926 or 1927 based on all of the guns in my database that surround it.

As far as the extractor knob, the first medium size knob listed is 482053 that shipped in 1928. The order to change from the mushroom style to the medium style came down on 1/22/1927 but as we know, S&W used up all parts regardless of engineering change dates. There are always flyers that seem to challenge serial numbers and dates and when new parts were added to the bin it is possible that older parts were covered and not used until the bin was nearly empty.

Also, the dates that we refer to are shipping dates and not manufacture dates so getting placed at the back of the shelf in the vault can also account for serial number and shipping date anomalies.

Are there any date stamps on the left grip frame???

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James Redfield
LM #497

Very nice!

No date stamps but the penciled serial number on the stocks is 11 numbers off. # 495653. The gun is # 495642. Has a patent dated hammer, and the later ejector rod knob. Smooth trigger too. It fell into my lap as my buddy was making a deal on a High Standard, the seller said he had this gun as well for $400. The pics he sent made it look like a boat anchor, but I figured for $400 I could not go wrong buying it. Surprise, a 97 to 98% revolver when I unpacked it. It shoots well and is fun to shoot. Big Larry

That explains a lot. Your first post lists the serial number as 435642 not 495642.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Sorry. That's the number of one of my M&P's. At 75 years, my brain is pretty much gone. Thanks for catching my error. Big Larry

No problem, I'm only a few years behind you and I suffer from terminal CRS.

I show 495640 in my database and it shipped on 1/26/1929. That would be more in keeping with a .22/32 with the MERK.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I wouldn't worry about the grips being 11 numbers off. I have a 22/32 Kit Gun like that with target grips. Roy says it's most likely a mix up during final assembly at the factory.

These are not common but several like that exist. And Roy's explanation is a lot more conceivable than a coincidence of having the wrong grips swapped later with a # that close to the gun #.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I certainly agree. The revolver is too nice and the serial numbers too close to have been changed out of the factory. This gun was in the same family for all its life according to the seller, who had no clue. $400 shipped? Yeah, no clue at all. Thanks, Big Larry

Wow, that is real close. Thanks, Big Larry