Folks,

I just obtained a S&W .22 hand ejector DA/SA revolver with a 4" barrel and drift adjustable rear sights. It does not have the original grips. The number on the crane is 699XX and the number on the bottom of the grip is 299YZ. It appears that someone has been in it, as the edge of the plate in front of the trigger on the right side has a blemish. I believe it was purchased in the 50s, but it might have been the early 60s. It might be a model 43, but I am no expert by any means!

Can anyone tell me what model this is, and when it was made?

Also, can I get original grips for it?

Thank you!

- MacEntyre

Attached Images

SW 22 Hand Ejector.jpg (290.3 KB, 142 views)

This is a .22/32 Kit Gun; from the photo, it appears to have a steel frame and cylinder, so after 1957 this would have been called a model 34. The number from the bottom of the grip frame puts it in the 1957 time frame, which was just before model numbers were assigned.

Technically this has "click adjustable" or what the factory calls a "micrometer" rear sight; a drift AS would be tapped from side to side to alter windage.

The original stocks would be called J frame service (or Magna), with an uncheckered diamond around the stock screw. Have a look at the wanted to sell section here, or post a wanted to buy. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Is that a literal YZ in the serial number, or are those placeholder characters? If literal, I don't understand the alphanumeric number on the butt. If those are placeholders in a serial number with five numerical digits, the gun looks like a .22/32 Kit Gun Model of 1953. After 1958 this model was known as the Model 34. When you swing the cylinder open, do you see the stamp MOD 34 on the frame surface that is concealed when the cylinder is closed?

The Model 43 was an Airweight version of the Model 34. The barrel length on the 43 was 3.5" instead of 4" on the Model 34. Measure from the muzzle to the front of the cylinder (and, of course, check to see if there is a MOD 43 stamp on the concealed frame surface).

No model number stamped on the frame points to 1950s manufacture before model number adoption. The .22/32 Airweight was introduced in 1955.

ADDED: I see Alan got in first while I was looking up dates and composing a reply. We agree on the central points.

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David Wilson

+1 to Alan and David's response... if it's an alloy frame it's a Mod 43, if steel a Mod 34 (or their predecessors.) That's a pretty popular piece whose name says it all, a Kit Gun to throw in your fishing kit or your backpacking kit or whatever other kit you are carrying (from the UK British term, "kit" meaning the bunch of stuff you are carrying.) Finding "the" original grips, numbered to the gun, will be a tough job, but period correct grips as originally furnished by S&W are commonly available at gun shows, etc. Note that the originals do have a diamond around the screw escutcheons, but that is cosmetic only and doesn't effect handling. Enjoy your nice find!

Froggie

The information given above pegs it as a Model of 1953 22/32 Kit Gun built on the 'I' frame with 'Micro-click' adjustable rear sight. Based on the partial serial number 299XX, the two exposed retaining pins for the firing pin and the Type 3 flat latch, it was most likely shipped in late '57. It should have only 3 screws attaching the sideplate.

Since it looks all steel with a 4" barrel it's a Pre model 34 in collector terms because it was made just before model #s were adopted and stamped on the frame. I'm sure you would have mentioned if it had a 'Mod 34' stamped by the assembly #699XX.

The correct grips are not too difficult to find. You need 'J' frame size round butt Magnas with the diamond around the screw hole that look like the bottom gun.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I think you mean the Improved I frame as the original I frame had a leaf spring and a little smaller window. Kinda like the J frame and the J magnum frame-splitting hairs but it be what it be.

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Forum consigliere

Yes, it has a steel frame.

XY&Z are placeholders.

Looking closer at the crane, the number 699XX is repeated on the frame, covered by the crane. There is no "Mod 34" but there is a "J" and a "9" on the crane, and a "2", an "8" and a partial circle stamp on the frame.

1957 makes sense... I know the original owner, who thought he bought it about then. It is possible that he may have the original grips stowed away.

Thank you very much, folks!

- MacEntyre

This is commonly confused in whole or in part based on the SCSW loose use of the term "Improved". The Mod of 1953 is actually a new model although the same I frame size cyl window. The cylinder/window/frame weren't lengthened until 1961 when all the I frames were changed to J frames, the -1 engineering change.

Below is an improved I frame. Yes it has the new coil spring but notice also it still has the small trigger guard, short I frame grip length plus several Transition model features: pre war style hammer, ribless barrel, pre flatlatch thumbpiece, etc.



The '50s I frames are much more convoluted than they may first appear. This may help:



1. Transitionals: c.1946 .22/32s and .32s beginning w/#536685 (# 54475 for .38 S&W):

a) Pre war/post war including the 1957 issue (non-Model #’d) .32 Regulation Police Targets (low #657XXX range) leaf spring

b) Pure post war: (.32s up to #550XXX highest # known) leaf spring

c) Post war Improved: No 22/32s made, (.32s beginning at #554536, lowest # known) coil main spring

2. Model of 1953 I Frames (.22/32s with new serial range starting w/#101); the Pre-Model numbered 4 screw & 3 screw models (the .32s at about #614XXX)

3. Model #’d guns c.1957 (.32s beginning about #650XXX to 712954 highest # known). I frames replaced by J frames c.1961

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Jim
S&WCA #819

WELL!!!!!!!!!!
See if I step up to the plate and play expert again

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Forum consigliere

That' all right....I found out that the more I knew, the more there was to know!!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

is the ejector pin for this gun made from a magnetic rod

I think you are asking about a revolver different from the one that has been under discussion in this thread. Are you talking about the original S&W Model No. 1 that was introduced in 1857? A picture would help. If that is the gun you have in mind, you probably want to repost this question in a new thread over in the Antiques section of the forum.

In general, all revolver parts are steel (and therefore subject to magnetic attraction), except that alloy frames and titanium cylinders have been used on some models in the last half century or so. So ejector or extractor mechanisms are almost certainly steel.

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David Wilson