Did S&W make a top-break 22 caliber revolver?

DRM · Sep 11, 2014

I'm a new member and this is my first attempt at asking a question. I have a top-break 22 caliber revolver that resembles a 32 double action fourth model. It is even in that models ser. no. range. Any help to identify it would be greatly appreciated.

47knuckle · Sep 11, 2014

The model 1 was a tip up, not top break, .22. The single shot target models are top breaks, but not revolvers, as they left the cylinder out of these. Next was the small frame Ladysmith, but they are hand ejectors. Could yours be a copy of a S&W revolver? Post some pictures, and you'll get some expert answers.

deadin · Sep 11, 2014

47knuckle covered it pretty well. So if you have a top-break S&W in .22 it is either a sleeved down S&W or a copy of some sort.
Need pictures!!

DWalt · Sep 11, 2014

Exactly what is stamped on it? And pictures would be good. Good possibility it is not a S&W.

DRM · Sep 11, 2014

Sorry,can't post a picture now but it is definitely a S&W.On top of barrel rib it reads:Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA Pat'd Jan 24 65,July 11 65,Aug 24 69, Reissue July 23 71,May 11 80,Jan 3 82.It is nickel,3 1/2" barrel,S&W checkered hard rubber grips,5-shot 22 short/long (not LR).The barrel and cylinder have not been sleeved.The description of this revolver is exactly like description given for the 32 double action fourth model in Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Serial No is 123XXX. Thanks for the help!

opoefc · Sep 11, 2014

It's a very well done sleeved gun from .32CF to .22RF. A similar gun was discussed not to long ago on this Forum. What are the serial numbers on the cylinder, barrel & latch ? Ed.

DRM · Sep 11, 2014

Top-break 22 I.D.

Thanks Ed!
I think you hit it right on the head! I couldn't find a serial no, on the cylinder or the barrel.The serial no. on the grip and latch is 123XXX. I took a magnifying glass and looked at the back of the cylinder and barrel forcing cone and I believe I can see a very faint circle around the 22 caliber hole. Also I can see a faint circle below the firing pin hole in the frame. Whoever did this conversion was surely a master gunsmith! Thank you everyone for all the help! The S&W Forum is sure the place to come for expert advice on my S&W collection. Danny

ralph7 · Sep 11, 2014

Sounds like a neat little gun. Never seen that done to one of those.
Please post several pics when you can.

Jim Watson · Sep 11, 2014

How neat, that would be a fun gun, although altered beyond collectability unless done by or for somebody famous.
I'd rather have a .22 than a .32 .

deadin · Sep 11, 2014

The barrel serial is on the back of the barrel extension (top-strap). On a .32 you will need a magnifying glass, a good light and a Q-Tip to clean away the crud. (May be split to both sides.) See below.....

H Richard · Sep 12, 2014

It would be very interesting to see pictures of this. Please try soon to post pictures or email to one of us who could post the pictures.

twaits · Sep 18, 2014

Sounds very cool. Are you keeping it or selling it? Sounds like something I would like to own.

mnrivrat · Sep 19, 2014

One just sold on Gun Broker # 439605567 for a little over $300 (forgot to look at the price when I pulled it up) .

One of the photo's show the back of the cylinder and it was diffenitly sleeved. This might be the one were talking about here or a simular one. Anyway go to gunbroker and search for that auction number it should still come up and it has all the pictures.

deadin · Sep 19, 2014

One just sold on Gun Broker # 439605567 for a little over $300

Didn't sell. ($316.00 bid didn't meet the reserve).

JSR III · Sep 23, 2014

It's a very well done sleeved gun from .32CF to .22RF.

How do you deal with the hammer in a conversion like this? Normally a CF hammer strikes the middle of the cartridge and with rim fire it strikes the edge.

Tom K · Sep 25, 2014

One just sold on Gun Broker # 439605567 for a little over $300

deadin said:
Didn't sell. ($316.00 bid didn't meet the reserve).

I believe this is one of those guns that has been on Gunbroker for years, relisted over and over. The oldest "completed" auction for it that shows up has a max bid of $700, and I'm sure I've seen bids for over $900 that still didn't sell. I have no idea what his reserve is and unless somebody has just gotta have it regardless of price, we may never know.

Looks like it'd be a fun curiosity, but not for whatever price he's fishin' for.

BRush · Sep 28, 2014

Here is another example. Big when parlor galleries were the after dinner rage.

mmaher94087 · Sep 28, 2014

Neat conversion from .32 CF to .22 RF. How was the center fire to rim fire firing-pin function achieved?

Skeetr57 · Sep 28, 2014

I don't think that the firing pin conversion would be very hard on a hammerless, since they had frame mounted firing pins. Just a matter of making a new bushing with an off center pin.

mnrivrat · Oct 1, 2014

"Didn't sell. ($316.00 bid didn't meet the reserve)."

Tom's right - it is at $900 and still hasn't met the reserve.

Did S&W make a top-break 22 caliber revolver?

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

SWCA Member

SWCA Member

Member

Member

Similar threads