Opinion on Model 35-1

[Salmon68]

Hey folks, I have an opportunity to buy a Model 35-1 which is in 90% condition. Unfortunately I don't have pictures to post but assuming my buddy who has looked at the gun is correct at his eat of 90% what do you think of a $900 price tag? I love my Smith revolvers but have never seen a Model 35 and would also like some feedback on the gun itself. If I buy it I promise to post some pics. Thanks for any help. Take care and stay safe.

[Wiregrassguy]

That might be a reasonable price for a pre model Improved I frame, but I think it may be a bit high for a later J frame kit gun in that condition.

[Hondo44]

The .22/32 Target Model is a very fine accurate revolver and I've never heard of any complaints with them. They're a bit scarce and usually bring more then the Kit Gun because of that. They have a patridge front sight and were only made with the sq butt grip frame. Highly sought after.

[Wiregrassguy]

Jim, is the SCSW 4th wrong about them being made with round and square butt frames?

[bdGreen]

Originally Posted by Salmon68

Hey folks, I have an opportunity to buy a Model 35-1 which is in 90% condition. Unfortunately I don't have pictures to post but assuming my buddy who has looked at the gun is correct at his eat of 90% what do you think of a $900 price tag? I love my Smith revolvers but have never seen a Model 35 and would also like some feedback on the gun itself. If I buy it I promise to post some pics. Thanks for any help. Take care and stay safe.

The 90% you speak of makes all the difference, to me.
I would be more interested in the $750.00 range at that condition point.

They are great guns.
Well built.
Comfortable design for people with average to smaller hands.
Can be a bit 'barrel whippy' with the standard magna style stocks.

Even at the $900.00 price range you won't be disappointed, but, I would offer less.
Of course, you will pay that price and own it NOW. Lot to be said for that.

enjoy,

bdGreen

[bdGreen]

Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy

Jim, is the SCSW 4th wrong about them being made with round and square butt frames?

Only round butted guns I have encountered were Model 34's that someone had a six inch barrel installed. Kinda nifty looking, but, with my hand size I prefer the full square butt with proper sized stocks for me.

bdGreen

[Wiregrassguy]

Are all your kit guns model marked, BD? Perhaps the earlier Improved I frames were round butt?


Well, I read the SCSW again. Its description is confusing. Starts off by saying the kit gun is built on the square butt Improved I frame and later talks about round and square butt J frames. I think it is probably a typo.

[raljr1]

I paid a little over $1000 for my 35-1. It's nickel plated and I'm not certain factory plating.

20190318_195724.jpg

20190318_195741.jpg

Robert

[Hondo44]

Guy,

Good eye!

Yes, there is a misprint/contradiction on page 242. The Model 35 section begins with: "...built on the sq butt...I frame...". At the end of that same section is the contradiction: "...with round or square butt.", which I suspect was accidentally carried over from the Kit Gun section. There are no other references to a rd butt Model of 1953, Mod 35 or 35-1 in a couple of locations in the SCSW 4th nor even the contradiction in earlier editions.

Of course we never say: "never" when it comes to S&W. Who's to say someone didn't special order a Mod 35 with a rd butt. Or observed a rd butt Kit Gun with a replaced barrel from 2" or 4" with a 6" barrel after the serial # was deleted from the barrel.

The sq butt was the only standard offering.

[handejector]

Originally Posted by Salmon68

Unfortunately I don't have pictures to post but assuming my buddy who has looked at the gun is correct at his eat of 90% ..............

Therein lies the problem.
Few people can estimate percentage condition.
Some people think a gun with 10 freckles is a 90% gun. After all, 10 dots of brown equals 10%, doesn't it?

A 90% gun has LOTS of wear.

[Hondo44]

Another contradiction on the .22-32 models is labeling them the Model of 1953 (4 and then 3 screw frames) in section headings which is correct for the NEW I frame forging, but then referring to them as Improved I frames in the text.

There were no .22-32s made on the Improved I Frame (which is a 5 screw frame). Clarified beginning on page 144 in the 4th ed.

[Grayfox]

a Model 35 has been on my wish list for many years. You rarely see one for sale. However, I don't think I want one that bad. I would go $700, maybe $750. But that's just me.

[SDH]

I swapped a pre-model Kit Gun and $500 for my Pre-35 a decade ago and it soon became my favorite .22 revolver. No box but a nice lined Bianchi holster. Never a moments regret.

...and with the replacement Kit Gun.

[bdGreen]

Originally Posted by raljr1

I paid a little over $1000 for my 35-1. It's nickel plated and I'm not certain factory plating.


Robert

Of course there are no guarantees that Smith didn't nickel your gun, but, that model was never offered in nickel.
My money is on a refinish.

Ha. I always wanted to send one out for a glorious nickel finish, but, I never owned a donor that I felt I could sacrifice.


bdGreen

[raljr1]

Originally Posted by bdGreen

Of course there are no guarantees that Smith didn't nickel your gun, but, that model was never offered in nickel.

My money is on a refinish.



Ha. I always wanted to send one out for a glorious nickel finish, but, I never owned a donor that I felt I could sacrifice.





bdGreen

I understand, but I like it so well that I don't care....

And I bought a decent K22 with the specific idea of sending it to Ford's for a nickel finish, but I haven't done that either....

Robert

[Dave.357]

I had not had mine for very long when I came across
a second one for less money $641 at auction the first
Was around $750 . At auction they bring about the same
as a model 63 no dash in the same shape. I hope this helps.

[bdGreen]

All at attention.

enjoy,
bdGreen

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by Dave.357

I had not had mine for very long when I came across
a second one for less money $641 at auction the first
Was around $750 . At auction they bring about the same
as a model 63 no dash in the same shape. I hope this helps.

Very nice!

Two 35-1 J frames, an exact pair. Is that one set of split stocks?

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by bdGreen

All at attention.

enjoy,
bdGreen

I've seen that 'herd' before, wow.

How many I frames and how many J frames?

[Pantherclass2004]

Originally Posted by bdGreen

The 90% you speak of makes all the difference, to me.
I would be more interested in the $750.00 range at that condition point.

They are great guns.
Well built.
Comfortable design for people with average to smaller hands.
Can be a bit 'barrel whippy' with the standard magna style stocks.

Even at the $900.00 price range you won't be disappointed, but, I would offer less.
Of course, you will pay that price and own it NOW. Lot to be said for that.

enjoy,

bdGreen

I just love photos like this

[Dave.357]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Very nice!

Two 35-1 J frames, an exact pair. Is that one set of split stocks?

No ,it is two pairs that are very
Close in grain and color.
They both came with small
Stocks. The targets fit my
Hand better.

[bdGreen]

Originally Posted by Pantherclass2004

I just love photos like this

Here they are in a more presentable showing. 2019 SWCA Symposium.

enjoy,
bdGreen

[Salmon68]

Hey folks, I did buy the Model 35-1. Paid the sellers asking price of $900 since I wanted the gun and it is in better shape than what my buddy said. Guess you never know until you see the firearm for yourself in the light of day. Here are a few pictures of my new "toy", which btw shoots great. Very happy with the purchase. Thanks again for the feedback. Take care and stay safe.

[Hondo44]

That's in great shape, you didn't pay too much.

It's a dandy!