Early S&W 22 Revolver ID

JK51 · #1 01-26-2022, 03:12 PM

I have a 22 LR 6 inch revolver, serial 4236XX, excellent overall, checkered walnut two screw stocks, rounded top-no medallion, (look like Third Model Single Shot stocks), blade front sight, 1/8 rear notch, flat cylinder face (pre 35?). Numbers match, pencil no. in right stock. The flap holster marked 5 38 6 always held the pistol. My uncle got the pistol new, I believe. My father called it a Masterpiece.
I had Berettas in the Coast guard and now an M&P 9C, etc. so the 22 has been resting. My daughter learned to shoot with it about 1990.
I am well versed in other areas but this S&W is a mental block. Paper brains have been studied over the years but I'm not satisfied with the results.
I want to date and ID this pistol for future generations. Thank you for the help.

DWalt · #2 01-26-2022, 03:16 PM

It is a .22/32 Heavy Frame Target (HFT), ca. 1925. The closest SN on my list is 425650, which shipped in 10/1925. The chambers should not have the recesses for cartridge rims.

JP@AK · #3 01-26-2022, 03:37 PM

JK51

This HFT is 423630, very close number to yours. It left Springfield in January, 1926. According to what Roy told me, there were 1151 units produced in 1925. Obviously some of those shipped the following year.

JK51 · #4 01-26-2022, 05:06 PM

Thank you, it is non-recessed, 423666, the stocks always put me off. I had changed the stocks for Pachmyers in the 80's and just found the originals in the attiic this week after years of looking. The date in the mid 1920's is the best I could have expected. I thought it was post 1931. My father made Eagle Scout in 1923. The paper brains like the Standard Catalog didn't steer me enough.
Thank you.

DWalt · #5 01-26-2022, 06:33 PM

Fortunately for you that the grips were located, as that increases the gun's value significantly. That revolver was made in the days of "Standard Velocity" .22 ammunition only. When "High Velocity" .22 ammunition was introduced in the early 1930s, the chambers became recessed. it's still a good idea to use SV ammo in it.

glowe · #6 01-26-2022, 06:54 PM

If you are talking about Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition, that revolver is on page 132. If you are talking about Standard Catalog of Firearms, you may have wasted your money. Values are near worthless and many makes and models are not even listed.

Those walnut stocks with the rounded convex tops were offered for the 1920 decade. Replaced by silver medallion walnut targets in 1930. Jack's gun shows hard rubber target stocks, but there is some debate that black hard rubber stocks were not put on 22/32 HFTs and only used on Single Shot pistols. Neal and Jinks book states only walnut stocks were found on the 22/32, but not sure if there were exceptions to that rule??

Your revolver looks to be in very nice condition and values are rising for this model. I would not be surprised if that gun would sell for $1000 and up if in Fine or better condition.

JK51 · #7 01-26-2022, 11:10 PM

I have the Supica Standard Catalog 3rd edition ebook 1600 pgs and the 22/32 section pg 438 says the "front sight is a thin blade with a bead top", my gun (partridge sight). The description matches , even the 23 oz. weight, except for the sight. The only section photo on pg 440 is a True Bekeart with bead top sight. I appreciate the ID and glad to know mine is a 1925 22/32 HFT. I will get the 4th edition hardcopy for an updated reference.

Hondo44 · #8 01-27-2022, 03:41 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Congrats, very nice example.

The sights are correct for the vintage of that gun.

The front Patridge sight replaced the bead sight, and the square notch rear sight replaced the small U notch; both in 1924.

Also since the grip frame back strap is not rebated, the two screw target stocks were once again the standard issue when your gun was made.

JP@AK · #9 01-27-2022, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

Jack's gun shows hard rubber target stocks, but there is some debate that black hard rubber stocks were not put on 22/32 HFTs and only used on Single Shot pistols.

Gary
You are correct that there is "some debate" about it. Jim can weigh in here, but we had some discussions about this a couple years back. There is ample evidence that some HFTs were shipped with rubber stocks in the 1920s, after S&W stopped rebating the grip frame. The stocks on mine are almost certainly original.