Kit Gun?

[Baldwisa]

I believe I have a Kit Gun, but I am no expert. Looking for some feedback.

[max503]

Dig them crazy grips!


Yup. Looks like a Kit Gun. You should love it.

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! A late pre-WWII shipper, probably 1941. Very nice!

[22/32 JDF]

I like it Very cool. JIM

[OldChief]

It appears you have a pre-war .22/32 Kit Gun. Those particular revolvers were manufactured between 1935 and 1941 in the serial number range of 525670 to 536684. You're in the SN range, now if your revolver is built on an I frame, .22 caliber with a round butt and a four inch barrel, which I do believe you have from the pictures, you have a valuable collector piece. The 4th edition of the S&W Catalog lists the values as: As New In The Box (ANIB) - 3750, Exc - 3000, VG - 1750, Good - 1350 and Fair - 500. From the pictures, I'd say it's probably in the good range. This is just as guess, it could go there or either way up or down depending on it's condition externally as well as internally.

[JP@AK]

Nice prewar Kit Gun.

My question to those who specialize in prewar I frame revolvers is this: Did the Kit Gun ever ship with the two-screw target stocks, which were standard on the .22/32 Target? That is what this one is wearing and I don't know whether they could be original. I don't believe I've ever seen a prewar Kit Gun before with that style of stocks. They are cool, I'll say that!

[Baldwisa]

Thanks for the inform. I will definetly be looking to sell it. Not much of a collector. More a hunter. Very cool gun though

[Mike, SC Hunter]

Looks like a Beakhart(sp?).....Look them up. Your revolver is NOT a kit gun. It's a Beakhart version on the I frame.

[Muley Gil]

Originally Posted by Mike, SC Hunter

Looks like a Beakhart(sp?).....Look them up. Your revolver is NOT a kit gun. It's a Beakhart version on the I frame.

No, Baldwisa is correct. The Bekeart has a 6" barrel and the serial number would be stamped on the front strap. Some collectors say that only the revolvers that actually shipped to Phillip Bekeart in San Francisco are Bekearts.

Baldwisa's kit gun is in the proper serial number range to have a factory 4" barrel.

[Baldwisa]

http://www.ogca.com/Legendary%20Kit%20Gun.pdf.

[Baldwisa]

I’m no expert but the serial number, 4 inch barrel, two screw grip all points to a Kit Gun.

[Hondo44]

Baldwisa,

Welcome to the forum. That's an extremely nice Kit Gun. Congrats!

Yes it's clearly a pre war .22/32 Kit Gun 1 of 225 shipped Sept, 1939 in the known s/n 533351-533575 range.

Pre war Kit Guns did ship with period 2 screw ext Target Stocks with flat chrome plated flush mounted medallions as shown above.

Here's one I have with original targets:



But there's an anomaly with your gun/target stocks. Because the butt of the grip frame is covered by target stocks, the serial # was stamped on the fore strap so it can be seen w/o removing the stocks, if the gun was originally assembled with target stocks (also with the Regulation Police sq butt stocks).

So since your gun is stamped on the butt, the question is: are the stocks stamped on the backside of the right stock only with a serial # that matches the the gun's #533391 and original to the gun?

The possibilities for the anomaly are:

Most likely the target stocks were added aftermarket by a previous owner, in which case the # on the right side stock will not match the gun,

or the gun was ordered with target stocks but if there were none in inventory, the factory (as was their practice) took a round butt Kit Gun from inventory, installed the target stocks, and shipped it, in which case the stocks will most likely not have a number stamped or may have a # that matches the gun.

The only foolproof way to know is to get an historical letter from the S&W Historical Foundation for $75.

This will make a difference in the value of this gun for resale.

[Baldwisa]

There are no other numbers on the stock. Other than the serial number on the bottle of the grip. I will send for the authentication letter to be safe since I plan on selling it. I was advised that these may be extension stocks used by the factory originally used on larger framed pistols

[Muley Gil]

I believe those grips will not fit anything larger than an I or J frame.

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by Muley Gil

I believe those grips will not fit anything larger than an I or J frame.

Correct, will not fit anything larger than pre 1953 I and J frame rd butt grip frames.

[Kitgun]

Its a Kitgun & nice one

[OldChief]

Originally Posted by Baldwisa

There are no other numbers on the stock. Other than the serial number on the bottle of the grip. I will send for the authentication letter to be safe since I plan on selling it. I was advised that these may be extension stocks used by the factory originally used on larger framed pistols

Yes, my next suggestion to you was to have the revolver lettered. That will definitely settle the question as to exactly what you have. I still believe, from your original description, that you do have a 22/32 Kit Gun. Just yesterday I received the letter I requested on my 22/32 Heavy Target and there is no doubt that is exactly what I have. Also with the letter, there will be no doubt what yours is and you can ask for a price that will fit the revolver's condition.

Good Luck,

Ed

[Baldwisa]

I'm sending for my letter today.

[OldChief]

Originally Posted by Baldwisa

I'm sending for my letter today.

It will take about a month before you receive the letter and be sure to let us all know the results.

[Baldwisa]

I received my letter. It is a 22/32 Kit Gun shipped with 4 inch barrel with the over sized grips. I've attached a copy. Now just looking for a value.

[dcopper]

Welcome to the Forum from Arkansas! Very Nice piece of S&W History you have there!

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by Baldwisa

I received my letter. It is a 22/32 Kit Gun shipped with 4 inch barrel with the over sized grips. I've attached a copy. Now just looking for a value.

Thx for sharing the letter: it partially clears up originality of your KG.

Although the letter states "extension sq butt grips", that's usually used to describe the Regulation Police type grips with a rebated back strap grip frame. They were used on Kit Guns, but not yours which does not have the rebated back strap! So the letter does confirm your target grips but only by observing your grip frame. So more specifically you actually have sq butt extension Target grips with 2 screws and standard rd butt grip frame.

You have a completely original and righteous Kit Gun IMO, albeit with a not uncommon anomaly that needs explanation, especially since you want to sell it and be able to assure your buyer that the gun is original!

The anomalies afoot in this case have been seen before, the # stamping on the butt of the grip frame without rd butt grips instead of the front grip strap, normal for sq butt grips (see my post #12), and seemingly missing serial # stamping on the back of the right grip:

1. Your gun was originally assembled and completed with rd butt walnut grips. This is because the normal butt stamping of the serial # with rd butt grips leaves the butt # of the grip frame exposed and readable.

2. Obviously when this gun was ordered by Iver Johnson Sporting Goods, they specified the target grips.

3. So as is S&W's well known practice, your gun was pulled from inventory, the grips were changed to the target grips, and because the gun is already completed and target grips do not require fitting to the grip frame, they were not serial # stamped to match the gun.

4. The serial # on the butt was not re-stamped on the front grip strap (the normal practice for square butt grips that cover the butt), again because the gun is completed at that point so the grips would not have to be matched up to the gun after its assembly.

5. I have one other KG like yours in my database from this same order of 225 guns #s 533351-533575 range shipped the same date as yours. That info was included in the letter for the gun, and I expected the same info in your letter. I would ask Roy Jinks who signed your letter about that and also have the letter edited to correctly describe your target grips. All Roy has to go by are some cryptic scribbled notations on microfiche to supply info for the letters.

Also, now that you have the letter, you can make a request for copies of the original order, to the S&W Historical Foundation. There's a nominal cost but only if find any documentation is found.

I hope that explains your KG's features are correct, but might appear to be aftermarket changes which they are not. This will help you realize the full value of #2500-$3000 (or higher depending on method of sale and/or geographical location.)

[Baldwisa]

What is the best way to request this information?

[murphydog]

Welcome, also! Here you go:

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.co...%20Request.pdf

[Baldwisa]

Thanks for the assistance. I do want to make sure everything is correct since I plan on selling it.

[Baldwisa]

I received a response from S&W HF. The response was "we did not find any digitized or indexed records unfortunately. Even though the stocks on your revolver are not numbered, the letter of authenticity issued by Mr Jinks confirms oversized or target type stocks are original to your revolver. I would think the letter would be sufficient documentation when you sell the revolver".