The Condensed .22/32 HFT Backstory

[red9]

Most collectors of pre-war target revolvers are familiar with the .22/32 target revolver. Created at the suggestion of Phil Bekeart, a trial run was made in 1911 and the gun was cataloged from 1915 into the 1930's.

Due to the desire for a heavier .22 target revolver, the .22 Outdoorsman (technically Outdoorsman's and also known as the First Model K22) was created as a companion to the M&P target revolver in 1931, evolving into the K22/40 (AKA Second Model K22 or First Model Masterpiece) 1940-41 and post-war K22 (Second Model) Masterpiece.

But why the designation .22/32 HFT? The initial run were .22/32s, referring to a.22(LR) revolver on the .32 caliber I frame. When cataloged in 1915, the gun became the .22/32 Heavy Frame Target revolver. Are you kidding me Heavy Frame? Well yes, in comparison to the still in production Ladysmith (Model M) target the .22/32 was HUMONGOUS, especially the grip frame.


Bob

[JSR III]

But why the designation .22/32 HFT? The initial run were .22/32s, referring to a.22(LR) revolver on the .32 caliber I frame. When cataloged in 1915, the gun became the .22/32 Heavy Frame Target revolver. Are you kidding me Heavy Frame? Well yes, in comparison to the still in production Ladysmith (Model M) target the .22/32 was HUMONGOUS, especially the grip frame

.

I think that you have answered your own question....In 1911 it was S&W's heaviest frame .22 revolver. Not so much in the 1930's. The term was dropped when the K frames came out.

[quinn]

Bob, great comparison for those like myself who have little undersanding of the pre 2ar 22's. Thanks.

[rct269]

A fine job of work---especially for those of us who, at least, think we know everything!

Ralph Tremaine

[huthike]

Thanks from all of us who love our 22’s!

[rct269]

Well, speaking of heavy frame .22's, the Outdoorsman wasn't the first from S&W. It most certainly was the first in mass production---just not their first .22 target on a .38 frame.

Walter Roper tells the story of a predecessor. The severely condensed version goes like this: Along about 1910-1912, S&W was approached by a group of Army officers (presumably a shooting team), and asked to build 20 such revolvers--and that they did. The guns turned out to be totally unsatisfactory in the accuracy department, were returned, and destroyed---all but one.

Roper learned of all this at the time he joined S&W (early 20's), and was given the lone survivor, and asked to see if he could determine the cause. It turned out to be the rifling rate, 1 turn in 10" rather than the 1 in 15-16 generally accepted as correct----simply a mistake.

Ralph Tremaine

[MajorD]

Seeing the M and I frame side by side the size difference is striking.
I have always had a soft spot for 22’s, and enjoy them all. I long for the day I trip over a model 35 ( or variant pre post thereof) affordably