.22/32 Kit Gun Pre-Model 34

Ranger8021 · #51 05-22-2014, 12:02 AM

I have a 2" 22/32 Kit gun chambered in .22LR serial # 216XX ....I called Smith today and the historian told me it was made in 1955. I will put some pics up in a few days. I rate the blueing on this gun at about 95% with the original grips. Serial number on the but matches that on the inside of the cylinder. Historian told me its worth about $700. Does that sound about right? Wondering if I should get it lettered. my father thinks that he purchased it some time in 1967.

Hondo44 · #52 05-22-2014, 01:01 AM

Welcome to the forum.

That does sound like a beauty of a 22/32 KG, Model of 1953 New 'I' frame.

Are you sure the Historian told you it was made in 1955, or it shipped in '55? The value sounds right IMO, if it's a round butt, and the serial # on the back of the right grip matches the gun's.

Getting a letter is like buying a lottery ticket; you have a very small chance of finding out much more than the ship date, store/location shipped to and the original configuration, barrel length, etc.. You'll get a little info on the evolution of that model. Most only get the letter when there's a question about some option being an original factory installed item. Some hope that it went to a celebrity or other unique destination. I'd keep the $50 for a more questionable piece, and it takes about 4 months to get the letter.

You can read all about it's evolution by clicking on the yellow 3 above right.

P.S. If you start a new thread next time, you're likely to get more responses.

Ranger8021 · #53 05-22-2014, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Welcome to the forum.

That does sound like a beauty of a 22/32 KG, Model of 1953 New 'I' frame.

Are you sure the Historian told you it was made in 1955, or it shipped in '55? The value sounds right IMO, if it's a round butt, and the serial # on the back of the right grip matches the gun's.

Getting a letter is like buying a lottery ticket; you have a very small chance of finding out much more than the ship date, store/location shipped to and the original configuration, barrel length, etc.. You'll get a little info on the evolution of that model. Most only get the letter when there's a question about some option being an original factory installed item. Some hope that it went to a celebrity or other unique destination. I'd keep the $50 for a more questionable piece, and it takes about 4 months to get the letter.

You can read all about it's evolution here:

P.S. If you start a new thread next time, you're likely to get more responses.

Thats what I thought I heard. I'm not a Smith expert and I dont know much about them. My collection consists mostly of Colts. Like I said this gun is a beauty and in perfect working order. So if it did ship in 1955 when do you think it was made? the serial number on the but matches the one on the cylinder. I will have to check the grip panel. Thanks for your response.

Hondo44 · #54 05-22-2014, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger8021

Thats what I thought I heard. I'm not a Smith expert and I dont know much about them. My collection consists mostly of Colts. Like I said this gun is a beauty and in perfect working order. So if it did ship in 1955 when do you think it was made? the serial number on the but matches the one on the cylinder. I will have to check the grip panel. Thanks for your response.

It appears I left out this link!
THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION - Smith & Wesson Forum

Hondo44 · #55 05-23-2014, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger8021

Thats what I thought I heard. I'm not a Smith expert and I dont know much about them. My collection consists mostly of Colts. Like I said this gun is a beauty and in perfect working order. So if it did ship in 1955 when do you think it was made? the serial number on the but matches the one on the cylinder. I will have to check the grip panel. Thanks for your response.

Ranger,

They were a new hot item back then and although designed and labeled Model of 1953, the first #101 didn't actually ship until early 1954. So yours was probably built and shipped within the same month. And although my # 21209 is near your #, it didn't ship until March 1956, they were not shipped in serial # order and sometimes way out of order! Mine has a 4 screw sideplate including one under the right grip panel. The top screw was deleted later in 1956, but does yours have 3 or 4 screws?

To confirm original parts, check for your 6 matching serial # locations for fixed sight pre war Hand Ejectors and all post war Hand Ejectors until ~1956.
NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, and an attitude that it is there!

1. Gun butt - or forestrap on I frames/single shots with grips that cover the butt

2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud

3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight

4. Extractor star - backside

5. Cylinder - rear face

6. Right stock only - on back; stamped, scratched or penciled depending on vintage and stock material. (except most target grips because individual fitting not required.)

*NOTE: The one TRUE place you can be sure of reading the serial number, including letter prefixes, is the BUTT of the gun, (or Front grip strap on non-round butt .22/32 & Regulation Police pre Model of 1953 I frames). The number on the butt may be drilled thru by the factory for installation of a lanyard ring but is re-stamped on the grip frame, under the left stock. Factory installed rings are always 1/10” forward of center.

I collect Colt's too, especially SAAs but also 1911s and 1926s (1911A1s in military speak); but not a single DA.

Ranger8021 · #56 05-28-2014, 04:26 PM

Hondo, here are so pics of my Dad's kit gun

Ranger8021 · #57 05-28-2014, 04:33 PM

More pics of my dads kit gun

Ranger8021 · #58 05-28-2014, 04:35 PM

Another pic...having trouble posting more than one pic at a time

Hondo44 · #59 05-28-2014, 07:36 PM

Dang! That's gorgeous late 4 screw/early bright blue finish. In other words it's early enough that it has the 4 screw sideplate feature but just late enough to have the newer improved glossy finish replacing the post war satin finish that these models started with.

It's the finest period for these Model of 1953s from a collector standpoint IMO.

Ranger8021 · #60 05-28-2014, 07:46 PM

Thanks Hondo! Like I said my dad has had it for almost 50 years and he plans on giving it to me. We still shoot it every couple of months and we take very good care of it. The blue finish is in excellent condition considering its age

Ranger8021 · #61 05-28-2014, 07:52 PM

Here is one last pic

Hondo44 · #62 05-28-2014, 08:20 PM

The last pic was a no show. It's finish is truly excellent period. It's either nice or it isn't and really not relevant to its age. They can be found that nice at any age. They are just much scarcer to find that old and that nice!

uberdaddy · #63 07-17-2014, 06:58 PM

I literally did a quick search here thinking I would never know what little .22 I had just inherited (3 total S&W's) and I stumbles on this. mine is a mirror image right down to the 4 digit sn (mine is 2482) also in Ohio BTW…..

uberdaddy · #64 07-17-2014, 07:06 PM

very nice gun, I have #2482 also here in Ohio,,,

Quote:

Originally Posted by kritter

thats cool,, i have one too also a "pre" 34 and also a four didget 186 away from yours, handy little guns, but the grips were way too small for me,replaced mine with "J" frame target grips

also found in Ohio, but headed out to
Cali...

brianandree · #65 06-02-2016, 02:02 PM

I'm new to the Forum and have a pre-34 Kit Gun with serial number 40XX and from what I've read in the forum, it seems to be a good idea to get the "letter" from S&W Historian..how does one go about getting the letter?
Any help appreciated

Hondo44 · #66 06-02-2016, 03:40 PM

Welcome aboard.

New Data on History Letters - Post 1 Update

jackvs1 · #67 06-02-2016, 07:28 PM

A little late to the 22/32 kit gun party.

top - Pre 34, 4 inch blue, sn 7824, shipped Dec 1954
bottom - Pre 34, 4 inch nickel, sn 2976, shipped July 1954

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Hondo44 · #68 06-02-2016, 08:35 PM

What a screamin' "pair to draw to", and both 4 screw 'New' I frames!

lungman · #69 09-06-2016, 10:05 AM

Here are some pics of my 3 digit serial pre-34. Quite proud of it and wanted to share.[IMG]

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Hondo44 · #70 09-06-2016, 10:32 PM

Lungman, welcome to the forum.

That's certainly one TO BE proud of.

Your Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun, 4 screw, with 4" barrel and round butt options, was most likely in an early 1954 shipment.

In my database:
145 3/54
1009 10/54
1281 4/54

These provide a perspective of how out-of-order serial #s can ship.

TIMETRIPPER · #71 09-07-2016, 01:44 AM

It's always nice to see an older thread like this one revived. Lots of good info for everyone concerned. I was going to post my 4 digit model of 1953 but realized that I already had a dog in this fight.
Hondo, I think it be a safe bet to say that you really, really like kit guns!

I certainly appreciate your input and am certain that the others do as well.

John

Hondo44 · #72 09-07-2016, 04:51 AM

John,

My pleasure.

Yes I have an "extreme weakness" for the I frames, I frame target models especially, and all Smith target models as well. They keep me HBB, (happy, busy, and broke)!

turnerriver · #73 09-07-2016, 08:51 AM

I've shown this here before- serial number 7855 with a S.D. Myres gun rug.

Regards,
turnerriver

Starrider78 · #74 11-10-2016, 04:06 AM

I desperately need to fing a schematic for a model 11 pre 1967 .32 Caliber Revolver. It has 4 screws in the side plate, and the rebound for the trigger is co,pletely different than in the newer pistols. It actually has a second internal spring mounted to the front inside of the grip frame. And I am a little confused on how all the parts fit together to rebound the trigger and work the hand to rotate the Cylinder correctly.
Does anyone have one or know where I can find one? I have attaxched 3 pics. If anyone can help with the orientation of these 2 parts please let me know. This is not a Kit gun it is a old gun and the Hand was worn out. I have ordered the hand, I hope the new ones will interchange with the old ones. In the mean time I am trying to figure out how these 2 parts go together inside the gun. It was brought to me in patrs. Thank you.
Sincerely: Starrider

Hondo44 · #75 11-10-2016, 07:10 PM

A model 11 is a K frame post WW II Hand ejector. Is your gun a 32 S&W Long or 32-20 Winchester (a K frame).

Your photos are of a pre 1915 hand elector and appear to be a .32 S&W Long Hand Ejector built on the I frame.

The photos you need are in this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-han...-new-post.html

Can you post a photo of the your entire gun?

You should start a new thread to get responses instead of tagging onto this 22/32 Thread.

MajorD · #76 11-10-2016, 07:41 PM

I have a soft spot for the 22 j's but unfortunately do not own o e presently. The prices on them sure have escalated in the last few years. I am on the hunt for a shooter grade 2" ( square butt preferably) but prices even on average to scruffy examples ( while I do like pretty as much as the next guy, for a shooter do not really care what the outside looks like. ) this is one of those cases where buying new stainless appears to perhaps cost less than older blued

Starrider78 · #77 11-10-2016, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

A model 11 is a K frame post WW II Hand ejector. Is your gun a 32 S&W Long or 32-20 Winchester (a K frame).

Your photos are of a pre 1915 hand elector and appear to be a .32 S&W Long Hand Ejector built on the I frame.

The photos you need are in this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-han...-new-post.html

Can you post a photo of the your entire gun?

You should start a new thread to get responses instead of tagging onto this 22/32 Thread.

I sure can. It is stamped on the left side of the barrel
32 Winchester CTG Serial Number is 11298

Starrider78 · #78 11-10-2016, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starrider78

I sure can. It is stamped on the left side of the barrel
32 Winchester CTG Serial Number is 11298

No, that pistol has the rebound block and Spring. Mine doesn't have that. There is a second internal spring mounted to the inside front of the grip frame that puts pressure on the parts to rebound the trigger.

Hondo44 · #79 11-11-2016, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starrider78

No, that pistol has the rebound block and Spring. Mine doesn't have that. There is a second internal spring mounted to the inside front of the grip frame that puts pressure on the parts to rebound the trigger.

Which revolver(s) are you referring to as "that pistol" and having rebound block and spring...in this thread link I posted for you?
My First Model 1896

If so, you looked at the wrong photos; check all the photos and look only at those with parts that look like your gun!

Your 32-20 K frame Hand Ejector #11298 Model 1902 - 1st Change is from 1903-04.

And it's like all I and K frame hand ejectors, which have no rebound slide until after ~ 1906. And all the way to the present.

Leatherhead23 · #80 12-05-2016, 01:10 PM

Jim,

I posted this in another thread but it seems this is 'THE' thread for Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit guns....

Looks like this low serial number gal can be added to the 3/1954 group.

Thanks for the valuable information on this wonderful model. It is much appreciated, sir. I enjoy reading your posts.

Mike

.

Starrider78 · #81 12-05-2016, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Which revolver(s) are you referring to as "that pistol" and having rebound block and spring...in this thread link I posted for you?
My First Model 1896

If so, you looked at the wrong photos; check all the photos and look only at those with parts that look like your gun!

Your 32-20 K frame Hand Ejector #11298 Model 1902 - 1st Change is from 1903-04.

And it's like all I and K frame hand ejectors, which have no rebound slide until after ~ 1906. And all the way to the present.

Thankn you. The rebound block in the picture of the pistol is what I was talking about. The Pistol I was working on did not have that. There was a second spring that came up and operated the mechanism to push the trigger forward. The second spring is attached by a pin to the inside front of the grip frame. I have fifished it and it is back with the owner now but, thank you anyway. I appreciate all the help that is offered. Sincerely: Starrider

copper06 · #82 02-18-2019, 01:47 PM

Stumbled on this thread after being gone awhile. Hondo was nice enough back in 2012 to sent me some PM's back and forth about my Grandfather's I Frame 22 Kit Gun, Serial # 2994. I still have those and the gun.

Shout out to all you I frame owners and a huge thank you to Hondo again!

Ctg22lr by copper006 | Photobucket