I think this one is probably unfired and is as close to NIB as you can get without being so. It came with cleaning kit but unfortunately the SAT was not there. It's my first S&W with the Red Box and I feel fortunate to have gotten it.

Beautiful!

.22/32 Kit Gun Model of 1953 made on the New 4 screw I Frame.

Likely #2886 shipped June or July 1954.

Starting from the left, it would have come with #4, 5, 6, or 7:


Photo by RKmesa

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Now that is a nice one! congrats

Very nice example! Congratulations!
I was looking at one this last weekend. The box was not near as nice.
I ended up making an offer, so we shall see..... My hopes are not high because the owner has expectations that are a bit beyond reality. But, in my favor, it went to auction, and the reserve was not met. Reality may/may not set in.

Not to hijack the thread but, why were they called "Kit" guns?
Thanks.

In that sense, Kit means a small, lightweight revolver, designed to be easily packed in a hunting, camping or fishing "kit" (equipment), i.e., a tackle box gun. With one exception (which shipped in early 1955), every 4-digit SN kit gun on my SN list shipped in mid- to late 1954.

Very nice! You have found a beautiful one!

Jules Verne called; he wants his Time Machine back! Nice find.

Froggie

.22/32 Kit Gun History:

It was originally introduced in 1935 as a 4" version of the very popular original .22/32 Target I frame, Model of 1911 .22/32 Bekeart Heavy Frame Target, both with 6" barrel.

Pre war 1935 model Kit Gun with pre war factory target stock option:



Named and marketed as the 'Kit Gun' was in reference to its short length and handiness for packing in one's 'grip' or Kit bag, hunting kit, fishing kit, etc. It was a hit and became a favorite. The .22/32 comes from the fact that it’s a .22 caliber revolver manufactured on the original .32 Cal size I frame, and they were serial numbered in the .32 I frame serial # range.

After WWII, it was re-introduced almost unchanged except for the addition of a hammer block safety and known as the .22/32 Kit Gun Post War Transitional Model.

The "Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun", as later boxes are labeled, was the 1st redesign. Having the original red box and contents is always a real plus in value and collectability! It's built on the I frame NEW forging with large egg shaped trigger guard and 1/8" longer grip frame then all pre 1953 versions of the Kit Gun other I frames and the J frame. There were no Post War Improved I frame Kit Guns (like other I frames of that period) so the Model 1953 is the 1st version with a coil mainspring replacing the original flat leaf spring. The model 1953 was introduced with a new serial # range beginning with # 101 shipped early 1954. None were actually shipped in 1953.

This is the contents of the box that came with the 1953 KG, cleaning tools and a SAT (sight adjustment tool, i.e., screwdriver):



During the 1950's evolution of the small I frames and New I frames, no less than 8 different styles were used; 4 versions of the standard style like yours and 4 versions of the experimental flat style (the 4th style most recently discovered by member two-bit cowboy). The Model 1953 New I frame (and .38 Chiefs New J frame) began with the 2nd version of the so called 'flat latch' style which actually start showing up before the Models of 1953 shown here on a 38 Chiefs Spl New J frame:



These were not popular with everyone and we occasionally see they were changed, back in the day.

The Model 1953 was much more desired than its Target predecessor's post war update, the Model of 1953 (became the Model 35 and 35-1) 6" .22/32 Target with sq butt only, which was discontinued by 1974.

Model 35-1 J frame .22/32 Target"


Photo by GF

The grip frame was available in rd (like yours) and a more sq butt version, lengthened 5/16". A 2" barrel version was also introduced in 1953. Two wide target trigger options and factory target grips that fit both rd and sq butt models became available later.

Model 1953 New I frame with target stocks and trigger, and added pre war thumb latch:



Top gun, a Model 34-1 J frame sq butt; notice extra length in front of the trigger guard compared to the 1953 I frame, and the post 1966 standard thumb latch:



The KG was eventually designated the Model 34 in 1957 and the Model 34-1 in Oct 1960 when the I frame was abandoned and it was built on the J frame until discontinued in 1991.

An "Airweight" KG was introduced in 1955 with alum alloy frame, 3 1/2" barrel version with sq butt only, which became the Model 43.

The J frame Model 51: 1960 .22/32 Kit Gun Magnum Rimfire was introduced with 3 ½” barrel and optional 22 RF cyl. Later versions were the M651, M650 (fixed sights), and the M351 PD AirLite.

The Model 63, a stainless .22 RF KG was introduced in 1977.

Currently, the .22 RF M317 Kit Gun ‘AirLite’ alloy/stainless combination versions, along with the M63, .22 RF M43C (fixed sight), and .22 Mag M351PD are offered to this day.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Outstanding Kit Gun and box CZU. Mine is in the high 11,000 S/N range and shipped in May 1955. They are gems aren't they ?

Yes they are..I'm considering divesting myself of some other Smith's and just concentrating on the BC's and the KG's. I really like these little ones.

Great find, really a pristine piece.

__________________
Ed

Please forgive my inquiry, but my curiosity has the better of me. I had a similar find about 10 years ago from a gun shop in Jersey. What's something that that worth these days? If my memory is correct, I paid somewhere under 500 for the gun and the red box and manual but no tools. I may have an old post in the forum somewhere....

Thanks CZU for posting your find. I was able to dig out my post from 10/2010. I haven't shot the gun since I bought it, after reading the responses to my initial post. That's 10 years! I bought my wife a Airlite 22 lr revolver. She still thinks the 22/32 is hers. Enjoy and thanks.