Unusual I-Frame 22

[Buford57]

While traveling on business I stopped by a small pawn shop and noticed what appeared to be a mid-20s .32 Hand Ejector in the case. When I examined it, it proved to be a .22. A six-shot, fixed sight I-frame .22.

The 3 1/4" barrel is marked Smith & Wesson on the left and unmarked on the right. The rear sight is the standard topstrap groove, while the front is a gold bead pinned to a base forged integral with the barrel that closely resembles the bottom section at of a .32 HE sight. Grip frame is standard round butt with chipped, worn black hard rubber.

The barrel may have been sleeved, but if so, long ago as the patina is even. Cylinder is clearly not sleeved. I did not notice if either the barrel or cylinder were serial numbered. I got to the shop just before closing time, but may be able to get a better look Monday.

I have not seen anything like this before, but it looks like a handy little item.

Asking price $479...a key piece of info.

[Green Frog]

So don't keep us in suspenders... how much were they asking? If all the numbers match and that is a factory variant, I think it is more than a little bit rare! Hondo44 & David Wilson will probably chime in here sometime soon.

Froggie

[gunfan]

Is that an "I" or is it an "M" frame?

Scott

[Muley Gil]

Did it have a firing pin mounted on the hammer or was it in the frame, like a Kit Gun?

[Buford57]

Added that little item. They also have a Winchester Model 12 that was the original draw for me. I may have to consider some kind of package deal.

[deadin]

Is that an "I" or is it an "M" frame?

M Frames are 7 shot.
I would definitely check serial number on the frame vs. the cylinder vs. the barrel as it could be a sleeved .32 with a 22/32 cylinder. Then again, it could be an unknown fixed sight .22/32. If the numbers match, a letter is an absolute.

[mod34]

Would love to see pictures of that little gem!

[DCWilson]

I'd love to see pictures too, and hear the details about what parts are numbered and whether the numbered parts are all in agreement. The right questions have been asked, so I won't repeat them.

Fascinating find. Please let us know what more you can find out.

I'm not sure $479 is a realistic price for a non-standard configuration, but I might drop $300 to $350 on it as an intriguing custom job.

[Buford57]

I plan to go back on Monday with a good magnifying glass, a strong light and a camera. I will check for match on all numbers and see if I can make out a polished-off caliber marking on the right side of the barrel, as none was visible in the ambient light.

My first impression of the sight set-up is one of the K-frame "semi-target" configurations. deadin's theory occurred to me, too, after I left the shop. The cylinder, as I recall, does not have recessed charge holes. I did not notice the firing pin location.

[Buford57]

What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is a sleeved .32 HE, Sn in the 425XXX range. Barrel # matches butt, caliber marking was removed long ago, probably at the time of the conversion, leaving a slight flat. Cylinder unnumbered. Cylinder has also been sleeved and the rear face reblued (outside of cylinder is the most blue-worn part of the gun, yet the rear of the cylinder is dark blue). Hammer nose is a replacement made to strike higher through an elongated hole in the frame. Front sight is filed/ground down to about 1/4", with the face flattened to a pleasing profile and reblued. There is no gold bead. I must have extrapolated that from some other item.

Other than the hammer nose, which is fairly crude (a later replacement?) all of the work appears to have been done by someone who knew his craft, but the stocks are chipped, the blue is worn and uneven, suggesting a history of touch-up cold bluing since the conversion, and I am not a buyer at anything near the $479 asking price.

If anyone else is interested, I will pass on the contact info for the shop, but did not take pictures.

By the way, the young clerk seemed genuinely glad to have learned something. An earlier customer told them it was a Ladysmith.

[Hondo44]

Yep, it would be a unique and fun little snag-free pocket 22 to have. It was a new modification for me to hear about. But as you implied, not a realistic price. After it sits there a month or two maybe they'll drop the price.

[mod34]

A yummy little treat at around $250 or so. I would want an opportunity to fire a cylinder full before buying however.