S&W Revolver Identification and value

[rmbrowning]

I have a revolver in great condition I want to know the date of manufacture and the value. It is a .22 long rifle, six inch barrel and has four screws. SN is 525xx. No model number is on the crane. It has wood grips and a screw on the "tang" of the grips. Grips are fastened with two screws and the they cover the butt.
Adjustable sites.
I've used the tool on this site and believe it was made 1956-1961.
Bluing is 98% with absolutely no rust, wear of the bluing nor any scratches.

 

[rmbrowning]

Correction: SN is 525xxx

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! It appears to be a .22/32 Target, likely from the very late 1920 to 1930 decade with that style of stocks.

The serial number on this model, unlike most other S & W revolvers, is on the front grip strap and will be well into six digits. Having this number will help narrow down its age.

 

[rmbrowning]

The SN is on the front strap and is 5255xx.
There is a number inside the crane or yoke 46082
This gun was shot very little. It seems hard to believe it was pre-WW2 vintage.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Your Heavy Frame Target likely shipped after 1930, but exactly when will require an Historian's Letter of Authenticity. Here are some known ship dates:

.22/32 HFT serial 517448 shipped in December 1930.
.22/32 HFT serial 525730 shipped in December 1933.
.32/32 HFT serial 527711 shipped in April 1938.

 

[cgt4570]

As Alan said, these were officially called the .22/32 Heavy Frame Target. It was a .22 build on the larger .32 i frame. They're often referred to as "Bekeart" models after the name of the SF CA dealer that first requested this model be produced, and ordered about the first few hundred starting in 1911. You have a very nice example of an excellent pre-WW2 .22. The couple I have are great shooters. When these were introduced, the only .22 Smith & Wesson was making was the tiny .22 Ladysmith. These were bigger enough to be called "heavy frame". Later on, the produced target .22's on the even larger K fame.

 

[JP@AK]

It is a .22 long rifle, six inch barrel and has four screws.

It actually has a five screw frame. The one in the front of the trigger guard counts. It retains the cylinder stop plunger and spring.

 

[flundertaker]

Barrel sure looks longer than 6” in those pics. Camera distortion?

 

[weatherby]

To me the ejector rod should be different?

 

[murphydog]

The SN is on the front strap and is 5255xx.
There is a number inside the crane or yoke 46082
This gun was shot very little. It seems hard to believe it was pre-WW2 vintage.

Ah, your first post listed the SN as "525xx".

 

[cgt4570]

Barrel sure looks longer than 6” in those pics. Camera distortion?

It's the much smaller i frame. Of course it looks shorter than a K frame.

 

[Muley Gil]

To me the ejector rod should be different?

Not for 1930s production.

 

[rmbrowning]

The barrel measures 6 inches and there is no fifth screw in the front of the trigger guard. Just the four screws on the right side.

What is the value of this revolver?

 

[bamabiker]

there is no fifth screw in the front of the trigger guard. Just the four screws on the right side.

If you say so but it sure looks like a screw head in a couple of your pictures.
And welcome to the forum. That is a nice S&W.

 

[glowe]

Look here for the screw.

 

[handejector]

The barrel measures 6 inches and there is no fifth screw in the front of the trigger guard. Just the four screws on the right side.

Uhhhhhh.... Look again. Your own pic:

 

[rmbrowning]

If you say so but it sure looks like a screw head in a couple of your pictures.
And welcome to the forum. That is a nice S&W.

I was wrong- there is a small screw on the front trigger guard near the top. So it is a five screw revolver.
Thanks for catching that.

I plan to sell the gun and have looked on GunsInternational for others posted there. I want to understand the value so I can post it for sale.

Thank you all- you have been very helpful.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Whatever year or model, that IS a nice revolver, condition vs. age. Did you, or are you going to shoot it? Some of those older S&Ws are pretty darn good at driving in nails.
Welcome to the Forum! If you ever have a question about acquiring another revolver or a certain one, usually the answer is yes. But not when they/we, mostly they, know when a revolver is not worth asking price. Although if it's one of the grail guns on your wish list, if it goes bang, buy it!!

 

[jeffrefrig]

"I plan to sell the gun and have looked on GunsInternational for others posted there. I want to understand the value so I can post it for sale."

You did see there's a classified section for guns and gun stuff? I've bought a few guns from the Forum and have never been disappointed. I've never sold any here, but that may change real soon.

 

[glowe]

Guns International is not a good place to look for values. They are almost always over-priced and once they sell, we do not know for how much. Gunbroker active guns are just that, guns that either have bids or no bids or fixed priced guns. Go to Advanced Search and search completed auctions to find final selling prices in those with bids. Also, go to Amoskeag and Rock Island and search their completed auctions for sales prices.