I finally got my hands on this gem yesterday and it’s even nicer than I thought! The s/n 36051 puts it to late 1958 I believe. Per Roy Jinks, #35228 shipped on 9/30/58 (that one’s for sale for $1900+ on “that site”). Hondo44 said mine is the highest numbered “Pre 34” in his database.

A couple of tiny blems but in spectacular overall condition with numbered grips. I wanted a shooter grade and paid a shooter grade price which was far below actual value I believe. No box or accessories but once again, am in awe of this little prize.

It looked like it hadn’t been touched or cleaned in decades but all of the crud cleaned up nicely everywhere including under the grips. Here she is ......

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Mark

WOW! That's nice. I'm foolish about .22LRs. And I like that one very much!

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So long ... Ken

Very nice,
Can always spot the early ones because of the two frame cross pins by the firing pin.

My closest is Pre Model 34, Serial 29393, Shipped April 1958

What’s up with the TWO pins?

Nice gun, OP. Congrats!

I had to do some research today to educate myself but while I did notice the two pins, I have no idea of why they’re there.

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Mark

Wow, 'Kid, that's a real dandy. Really gorgeous.

Congratulations!

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

That there would make any man proud to have in their collection.

What a great classic!

Kobsw

I have this Lawrence holster inbound for it to ride around in. Should be a great combo for woods walks!

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Mark

Nice gun! I'm sure that its something you are proud to own.

OK, in personal communications with bright lights like David Wilson and Hondo44, I've gotten the impression that the answer will be no, but has anyone seen a post-War Heavy Frame Target or 22 Kit Gun in the transitional (true I-frame with leaf spring) variant? If yes, I have a whole new class of grail gun to seek!

Froggie

.22/32 Kit Gun and Target Firing pin changes

I could not find this info anywhere so have studied the .22/32 models. The one pin or two pins coincide with two styles of firing pins, round and rectangular respectively at the breech face. With the rectangular style there can be two proud pins, or front pin proud and rear pin flush from the factory.

ROUND FIRING PIN with one retaining pin:
The front single pin retains the firing pin bushing in the recoil shield and the firing pin is a round style including a fully round front striking tip. Used on the Pre war 22/32 Heavy Frame Target, ('30s vintage 22/32 Heavy Target ), 22/32 Kit Guns, and post war transitional Target and Kit Guns. This configuration returned later c. #70000, Oct. 1960 with the J frame introduction; Models 34-1 and 35-1.

RETANGULAR FRONT TIP, FLATTENED TOP REAR FIRING PIN with two retaining pins:
The Model of 1953 New I frame is the first post war model change for the 22/32 models and introduced a new rectangular shaped firing pin tip with two proud retaining pins, at first, front for bushing and rear for firing pin.

This rectangular front striking tip style firing pin can be seen with hammer cocked by looking in the hammer channel from the rear at the top of the firing pin. This rear 2nd pin crosses over the flattened rear top of, and retains the firing pin.

The rectangular firing pin with proud front pin and flush rear pin was used beginning c. #21000 (1956) thru c. # 29000, at which time the two proud pins returned. I have observed that the 'bright' blue finish began on the .22/32 in its serial # range in the early to mid 21,000s (1956) and seems to coincide with the flat polishing of the rear retaining pin.

RETURN OF THE ROUND FIRING PIN:
The Pre-1953 round tipped firing pin w/one front retaining pin, was reintroduced c. #70000 Oct. 1960 with the 22/32 J frame introduction of the Models 34-1 and 35-1.
7/22/17 -
In stock at Brownells here: Firing Pin : SMITH & WESSON FIRING PIN | Brownells


2 pin with rear pin flush c. #21000 (late '55 to early '56) to c. #29000 (’57 – ’58).


RETURN OF THE ROUND FIRING PIN with one pin:
The rectangular/rear flattened top firing pin was subsequently dropped in an engineering change that re-used the fully round firing pin of the pre war guns and the post war transitional guns with one pin (proud) on the sides of the frame. I have not been able to pinpoint when the change was made and of course like every other S&W change it was a transitional event. However, I have a sense that the return to one single pin (proud) with fully round firing pin coincides approximately with the change from the I frame Mod 34 to the J frame Mod 34 identified with a "-1" in Oct 1960, c. #70000. I have not observed any J frame 22/32 kit guns with two pins, proud or otherwise.

BEWARE OF REFINISHED GUNS one proud & one flush pin or both flush:
Refinished Mod 1953 22/32s originally having two proud pins will often be encountered with the forward pin proud and the smaller rear pin or both pins polished flush. However, the 2nd pin flush can be an original factory variation and will be observed on a non-refinished gun as stated above.

NOT DOCUMENTED ANYWHERE:
This round/rectangular firing pin and 1 pin/2 pin issue will not be found anywhere in the Jink's or SCSW books.

I hope this helps and as usual I am always open to further evidence in the unending pursuit of complete knowledge of S&W firearms.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I have never seen one.

Roy told me that he has researched one Post War 22/32 Target Model.

There seem to be more NOS post war barrels (no patent dates or notch underneath for the barrel extractor knob) that I have seen, for them than guns!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Wow, thank you Hondo! As usual, going way beyond to educate us novices (me).

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Mark

Really pretty to look at - I was wondering, because I've never seen one in the flesh, is that J frame size, or a little smaller?

Yah lucky stiff, I am severely envious.

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Dave

Built on the “new I frame” which is slightly smaller. They had a larger trigger guard and grip frame like the new J frames.

After renaming it the model 34 in 1957, they came out with the model 34-1 in 1960 using the larger full J frame.

(how am I doing Hondo?)

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Mark

They came out with shiny ones also.

enjoy,
bdGreen

Exactly right!

The rd butt grip frames were 1/8" longer than the pre 1953 I and J frames and again, grips still do interchange.

The 1953 new I and J frames also have the square grip frames an additional 5/32” longer grip frame than new 1953 rd butt (9/32” longer than the pre 1953 rd butt), first introduced on the very last of the Baby Js (very rare).

You have one gorgeous 22/32 snubby sq butt which are pretty scarce on the New I frame. And not seen that often even on the J frame 22/32 snubbies.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

That's a truly beautiful Kit Gun! I'm not sure I would call it "shooter grade" if I had been lucky enough to find it, but it's yours; so you can call it whatever you like!

Very nice!

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

After running some rounds through it today and learning more about them, I can see why these things are so addictive. And commanding the prices they do these days.

I had a 34-1 for a couple years but had some challenges with it and eventually sold it a year or so ago. Since then I set my sights on a “pre” version in the sq butt config. Needless to say, very pleased with this one and am already planning another purchase.

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Mark

Agreed, and thank you! I really didn’t want to pay the $1,000 plus that many of these command. I wanted to pay a “shooter grade” price and would have been happy with a 90% gun. Putting eyes and hands on it and realizing that I’d gotten something more, well, I was pretty pumped! And btw, I paid $795 for it.

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Mark

Congratulations on your find.. note the standard config was a Round Butt, your Square Butt is even rarer..
I will be posting on the forum a to-sell ad containing 5 different variations of Model of 1953 kit guns... 3 with original boxes.. along with a boxed nickel 51 and a boxed nickel 43.

WOW
That is a great looking revolver.

Congratulation on the find and the deal

I have 2" round butt with a 4 digit serial number from 1953, but it is nowhere near as pretty as yours
Somewhere along the line mine was refinished. I don't care, because it is a shooter and I have other ones that are pretty

I really like how the little guys look with the adjustable sights.

Totally agree there. Probably 2/3 of my revolvers are fixed sights because, well, just because. But I really love the look and functionality of these little gems. As stated earlier, these are all reasons for the desirability.

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Mark

You *******! You have to kill those of us who love our nickel Smiths with THAT picture? I hate you.

I paid $200 for this kit gun from a buddy of mine. It was built in the mid 70s.

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