.22/32 Kit Gun and Target Firing pin changes

I could not find this info anywhere so have 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 (late '55 to early '56) 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 (1956) 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.

7/22/17 -
In stock at Brownells here: Keyword Search | Brownells


2 pin with rear pin flush c. #21000 (late '55 to early '56) to c. #29000 (’57 – ’58).

2" #26821 shipped 7/57:


RETURN OF THE ROUND FIRING PIN with one pin:
The rectangular/rear flattened top firing pin was subsequently dropped in an engineering change that re-used the fully round firing pin of the pre war guns and the post war transitional guns with one pin (proud) on the sides of the frame. I have not been able to pinpoint when the change was made and of course like every other S&W change it was a transitional event. However, I have a sense that the return to one single pin (proud) with fully round firing pin coincides approximately with the change from the I frame Mod 34 to the J frame Mod 34 identified with a "-1" in Oct 1960, c. #70000. I have not observed any J frame 22/32 kit guns with two pins, proud or otherwise.

BEWARE OF REFINISHED GUNS one proud & one flush pin or both flush:
Refinished Mod 1953 22/32s originally having two proud pins will often be encountered with the forward pin proud and the smaller rear pin or both pins polished flush. However, the 2nd pin flush can be an original factory variation and will be observed on a non-refinished gun as stated above.

NOT DOCUMENTED ANYWHERE:
This round/rectangular firing pin and 1 pin/2 pin issue will not be found anywhere in the Jink's or SCSW books.

I hope this helps and as usual I am always open to further evidence in the unending pursuit of complete knowledge of S&W firearms.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819