22/32 Kit Gun

OIF0304 · #1 07-27-2022, 04:16 PM

Picked this one up a few months ago from an individual that was downsizing. From what I have read, Smith only made the 2" I frame guns for 2-3 years. This one wasn't even the one I went to buy, but it just screamed "cool" so it left with me as well!

JP@AK · #2 07-27-2022, 04:29 PM

I'd have bought it too!

A couple comments:

1. As you noted, it is built on the I frame so it isn't a "K" anything. It is a .22/32 Kit Gun Model of 1953.

2. According to the record shown in your third picture, this revolver was purchased in January, 1955. That almost certainly means it was produced/assembled in 1954 (early January, 1955 at the latest). Since the Kit Gun wasn't switched to the J frame until 1960, S&W clearly made 2" Kit Guns on the I frame for more than "2-3 years."

No matter. That is a wonderful acquisition.

OIF0304 · #3 07-27-2022, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

I'd have bought it too!

A couple comments:

1. As you noted, it is built on the I frame so it isn't a "K" anything. It is a .22/32 Kit Gun Model of 1953.

2. According to the record shown in your third picture, this revolver was purchased in January, 1955. That almost certainly means it was produced/assembled in 1954 (early January, 1955 at the latest). Since the Kit Gun wasn't switched to the J frame until 1960, S&W clearly made 2" Kit Guns on the I frame for more than "2-3 years."

No matter. That is a wonderful acquisition.

Understood, I changed the title to allow for it. I read that the I frame was discontinued in mid-50's to make the J frame (on Wikipedia or whatever, fwiw), so it looked like the 2" in the I frame was introduced in 1952 and switched to J frame in 1955 or so.

JP@AK · #4 07-27-2022, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OIF0304

I read that the I frame was discontinued in mid-50's to make the J frame (on Wikipedia or whatever, fwiw), so it looked like the 2" in the I frame was introduced in 1952 and switched to J frame in 1955 or so.

So here is a bit of the true story (Wikipedia and other unhelpful sources notwithstanding).
1. The then-new J frame was introduced when S&W brought out its first small frame revolver chambered for the .38 Special. That occurred in 1950. From that time on, all small frame revolvers chambered in .38 Special were built on the J frame. The cylinder window on the I frame could not accommodate the longer cartridge.

2. All other existing small frame revolvers continued to be I frame units until c. 1960, with the exact date varying by model. When the conversion process was complete on all models, the I frame ceased to exist.

Without going into a lot more detail, I'll just state that both the J and I frames experienced some dimensional changes in the mid-1950s, but as stated above, only .38 Special revolvers used the J frame during that period. One exception comes to mind and that is the .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight that was introduced in 1955. It was built on the J frame from the beginning.

Hondo44 is our resident expert on the small frame guns and may be along at some point to enlighten us with a greater level of detail.

OIF0304 · #5 07-28-2022, 12:55 AM

Without going into a lot more detail, I'll just state that both the J and I frames experienced some dimensional changes in the mid-1950s, but as stated above, only .38 Special revolvers used the J frame during that period. One exception comes to mind and that is the .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight that was introduced in 1955. It was built on the J frame from the beginning.

I bet the Airweight/1955 date is what they based their info on, thanks for the info! It doesn't seem as good versus a 3 year production window, but its still a cool little piece to me!

RKmesa · #6 07-28-2022, 01:34 AM

Great little Kit Gun!!!

Thanks for sharing.

Mine is just a little older than yours (SN 9757, shipped in December 1954)

Engine49guy · #7 07-28-2022, 02:34 AM

Love those early I frame kit guns.

On a side note while they aren't my primary focus you can always tell an early one
by the two "proud pins" that stick out just below the rear site blade on both sides,
IIRC the top pin was polished flush a bit later.

Hondo44 · #8 07-28-2022, 04:32 PM

Good eye Engine49guy, a little detail that is connected to a bigger detail; changes in the firing pin:

.22/32 Kit Gun and Target Firing pin changes:

I noticed this detail a couple of years ago but I could not find this info anywhere so I 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.

RECTANGULAR 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, after 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 (late '55 to early '56) 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 proud front retaining pin, was reintroduced c. #70000 Oct. 1960 with the 22/32 J frame introduction of the Models 34-1 and 35-1.

JP@AK · #9 07-28-2022, 05:58 PM

Great info, Jim! Thank you.

s3dcor · #10 07-29-2022, 03:57 PM

I have been lucky enough to find two of these, both 3 digit serial numbers made in 1953. Both round butt and in great condition.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...1&d=1659124577

majortoo · #11 07-29-2022, 05:39 PM

Good find! All the Kit guns are just true treasures!

bill-in-texas · #12 07-29-2022, 06:40 PM

Congratulations & welcome, OP!

I like the kit guns, too...
Edit: Just one early kit gun, so far.

-Bill

SN 8905

Alongside a Later J-Frame Model 34-1, Kit Gun

jcelect · #13 07-30-2022, 09:13 AM

Here's a trio I acquired a short time ago! The one in the middle is a pre mod 43 built on the J frame as the Airweight Kit Gun was never built on the I frame. All are 4-digit serial numbers.

jcelect

OIF0304 · #14 07-30-2022, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcelect

Here's a trio I acquired a short time ago! The one in the middle is a pre mod 43 built on the J frame as the Airweight Kit Gun was never built on the I frame. All are 4-digit serial numbers.

jcelect

Very nice!

ohioan55 · #15 07-31-2022, 01:04 PM

Here's my entry into this collection. I think I paid $145 new and have used it for many years.

22shtur · #16 07-31-2022, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

RECTANGULAR FRONT TIP, FLATTENED TOP REAR FIRING PIN with two retaining pins:

The rectangular firing pin with proud front pin and flush rear pin was used beginning c. #21000 (1956) thru c. # 29000, after 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 (late '55 to early '56) and seems to coincide with the flat polishing of the rear retaining pin.

My .22/32 kit gun has a rectangular firing pin with proud front pin and flush rear pin. The serial number is 20944.