This article will be one of many in my forthcoming book 101 CLASSIC FIREARMS, which should be available through Dillon Precision this Fall. We are in the final editing stages now, and it should be sent to the printer (here in the U.S.) by the end of July.
John
The origin of the term “kit gun” came about many years ago when the need was felt for a small, accurate .22 revolver that could be packed easily in a hunting or fishing kit. Such a gun would be ideal for bagging small game, snake protection, economical plinking fun, or in an emergency, self defense. Smith & Wesson fulfilled this need with a series of small-frame, adjustable-sight revolvers with 2- and 4-inch barrels that were of high quality. This is their story.
It all began back in 1896 with the development of a series of revolvers S&W called the “hand ejectors.” The main feature was a cylinder that swung out to the left side for loading and ejecting cartridges. The first of these to be produced with a smallish frame size was known as the “I” frame. It was initially chambered for the .32 S&W Long cartridge. This early revolver was manufactured from 1896 to 1903, and was incrementally improved over the following years. Production of the various .32 I-frames continued on, interrupted only by other priorities in World Wars I and II.
In 1910, a San Francisco gun dealer, Phil Bekeart, discussed with S&W the possibility of a .22 long rifle target revolver built on the .32 I-frame. He was so convinced that this would be a good seller that he agreed when S&W told him they’d have to build and sell him 1,000 guns to make it worthwhile. Accordingly, S&W tooled up, and by the spring of 1911, they began production. However, only 294 of these “.22/32” Target Models were completed and sold by Bekeart, as demand did not meet his optimistic expectations. In fact, additional production was not initiated until 1914. The Bekeart guns represented the first marriage of the .22 caliber and the small I-frame.
In 1934, in response to some inquiries as to the possibility of a shorter-barreled .22 LR small frame revolver as a handy take-along for hunters and fishermen in their travel kits, Smith and Wesson crafted a prototype. This gun, numbered 527712, was kept in-house by a member of the Wesson family. Other prototypes might possibly have been made. Actual production started in 1936. These were built on the I-frame, and featured 4” barrels and target sights. Stock styles varied, with three styles. These were round butt regular checkered, rebated-frame extended square butt checkered, and Bekeart-style extended square butt “two screw” checkered stocks that fully enclosed the rear grip strap. The first full production gun bore serial number 529,500 in the .32 Hand Ejector series. It was called the .22/32 Kit Gun. Production continued until World War II, with the last serial numbers of the “pre-war” guns probably coming in the 534,600 range, although the opinions of experts vary. It should be noted that S&W did not produce complete guns with sequentially progressive serial numbers, nor did they ship them, necessarily, in serial number order. It’s been estimated that anywhere from 1325 to 1500 “pre-war” kit guns were assembled from 1936 to 1940.
Some frames with pre-war serial numbers were not completed and shipped until after the war. The revolver illustrated used one of a batch of 25 frames in the serial number range 534,533 to 534,557 that were not completed in 1940 like others in that range. These went out the door at least 10 years later with some mixed pre-war and postwar parts. This specific gun used a pre-war 4” barrel, frame, cylinder and sights, but was fitted with the new hammer block safety, post-war-style cylinder release, internally slotted lockplate and post-war stocks. It was given a bright blue finish and shipped on June 5, 1951 to an individual then living in Ardsley-on-Hudson, New York. These specific 25 “transition” guns are quite collectible and valuable today. Interestingly, some gun dealers who received these pre-war/post-war guns rejected them in favor of newly manufactured guns, not realizing, of course, that they were being blessed with future collector prizes!
Following the war, production started anew on the Kit Guns, beginning at serial number 534,587 of the .32 Hand Ejector series. The numbers were intermixed with the .32 guns’ serials. These first post-war guns used pre-war style frames, but incorporated newer components including the now-standard hammer block safety.
In 1953, a new series of Kit Guns was produced and sold. The official designation was “.22/32 Kit Gun, Model of 1953.” These differed from previous production in having a new I-frame with a coiled mainspring and micro-click sights. They had 4 screws, coil mainsprings, larger trigger guards and larger grip frames like the new “J-frame” revolvers then being produced for personal defense purposes. This began a separate serial number series starting with number 101. This number series continued until October 1968, when the serials had progressed to number 135,465. The top sideplate screw was authorized for elimination on December 13, 1955. This change was phased in gradually between serial numbers 11,000 and approximately 14,000. It was in this Model of 1953 series that a 2” barreled version was first offered.
In 1957, Smith & Wesson renamed its lineup of handguns with numbers, and the Kit Gun became the Model 34. This model number was stamped in the frame cut for the yoke.
A significant change came in 1961 when the Model 34 Kit Gun was produced using the complete “J” frame, which was slightly larger. It simplified manufacturing, and the change was implemented at serial number 70,000. These J-frame revolvers are stamped “Model 34-1.” A new “M” prefix series was started in 1969, beginning with serial M1. An extremely rare bunch of about 15 guns, chambered in .22 LR and with fixed "groove" rear sights, were crafted in March of 1972. Only four were completely assembled and shipped. The 1988 Model 34-2 models had a new yoke retention system.
An Airweight Kit Gun was introduced in November 1954, with pilot production beginning around serial number 5000. However, actual mass production and distribution did not begin until January 1958, with serial numbers starting at 32,244. This gun had an aluminum alloy cylinder and frame. This was first known as the Model of 1955, and then officially as the Model 43 .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight. Since it was based on the J-frame rather than the I-frame from the beginning, there was never a 43-1 variation. The Model 43 was made only until 1974, when it was discontinued.
In May of 1960, the Model 51 .22/32 Rim Fire Magnum Kit Gun was introduced, chambered for the .22 Winchester Rimfire Magnum. The first serial number was 52,637. These were made only on the J-frame, and were produced until 1974. Both round and square butt variations were available, with the round butt type being the rarest. Models 43 and 51 were both numbered in the standard Model 34 series.
A “stainless kit gun,” the Model 63, was offered from 1977 to 1998, in both square and round butt configurations. Both 4” and 2” barrels were produced. There were a number of variations.
Post-war Kit Guns made after 1953 were offered with either 4” or 2” barrels. Both blued and nickeled finishes were available, as well as round and square grip frames. The central “diamond” pattern of the checkered grips was eliminated in 1968. The pinned barrel came to an end in 1982. As a point of information, all Kit Guns since the beginning have chambers recessed for the cartridge rims. I have seen, handled and shot a Model 34-1 two-inch–barreled Kit Gun made in 1980. It had deluxe features, including a nickel finish, a red ramp front sight, a white outline rear sight, and smooth stocks, so evidently there were plenty of options for these little guns.
These were very popular firearms with sportsmen, fishermen, plinkers, and anyone who just wanted a small, handy and accurate .22 revolver. However, all good things must come to an end, and in 1991, the Model 34 Kit Guns were dropped from the Smith & Wesson lineup. Still, the demand for these small guns was such that several similar small .22 revolvers were later offered by S&W with new model designations. Good specimens of all the Kit Gun variations are in high demand today, and prices have escalated rapidly in the last few years. Classic guns, every one!
(c) 2014 JLM
John
The origin of the term “kit gun” came about many years ago when the need was felt for a small, accurate .22 revolver that could be packed easily in a hunting or fishing kit. Such a gun would be ideal for bagging small game, snake protection, economical plinking fun, or in an emergency, self defense. Smith & Wesson fulfilled this need with a series of small-frame, adjustable-sight revolvers with 2- and 4-inch barrels that were of high quality. This is their story.
It all began back in 1896 with the development of a series of revolvers S&W called the “hand ejectors.” The main feature was a cylinder that swung out to the left side for loading and ejecting cartridges. The first of these to be produced with a smallish frame size was known as the “I” frame. It was initially chambered for the .32 S&W Long cartridge. This early revolver was manufactured from 1896 to 1903, and was incrementally improved over the following years. Production of the various .32 I-frames continued on, interrupted only by other priorities in World Wars I and II.
In 1910, a San Francisco gun dealer, Phil Bekeart, discussed with S&W the possibility of a .22 long rifle target revolver built on the .32 I-frame. He was so convinced that this would be a good seller that he agreed when S&W told him they’d have to build and sell him 1,000 guns to make it worthwhile. Accordingly, S&W tooled up, and by the spring of 1911, they began production. However, only 294 of these “.22/32” Target Models were completed and sold by Bekeart, as demand did not meet his optimistic expectations. In fact, additional production was not initiated until 1914. The Bekeart guns represented the first marriage of the .22 caliber and the small I-frame.
In 1934, in response to some inquiries as to the possibility of a shorter-barreled .22 LR small frame revolver as a handy take-along for hunters and fishermen in their travel kits, Smith and Wesson crafted a prototype. This gun, numbered 527712, was kept in-house by a member of the Wesson family. Other prototypes might possibly have been made. Actual production started in 1936. These were built on the I-frame, and featured 4” barrels and target sights. Stock styles varied, with three styles. These were round butt regular checkered, rebated-frame extended square butt checkered, and Bekeart-style extended square butt “two screw” checkered stocks that fully enclosed the rear grip strap. The first full production gun bore serial number 529,500 in the .32 Hand Ejector series. It was called the .22/32 Kit Gun. Production continued until World War II, with the last serial numbers of the “pre-war” guns probably coming in the 534,600 range, although the opinions of experts vary. It should be noted that S&W did not produce complete guns with sequentially progressive serial numbers, nor did they ship them, necessarily, in serial number order. It’s been estimated that anywhere from 1325 to 1500 “pre-war” kit guns were assembled from 1936 to 1940.
Some frames with pre-war serial numbers were not completed and shipped until after the war. The revolver illustrated used one of a batch of 25 frames in the serial number range 534,533 to 534,557 that were not completed in 1940 like others in that range. These went out the door at least 10 years later with some mixed pre-war and postwar parts. This specific gun used a pre-war 4” barrel, frame, cylinder and sights, but was fitted with the new hammer block safety, post-war-style cylinder release, internally slotted lockplate and post-war stocks. It was given a bright blue finish and shipped on June 5, 1951 to an individual then living in Ardsley-on-Hudson, New York. These specific 25 “transition” guns are quite collectible and valuable today. Interestingly, some gun dealers who received these pre-war/post-war guns rejected them in favor of newly manufactured guns, not realizing, of course, that they were being blessed with future collector prizes!
Following the war, production started anew on the Kit Guns, beginning at serial number 534,587 of the .32 Hand Ejector series. The numbers were intermixed with the .32 guns’ serials. These first post-war guns used pre-war style frames, but incorporated newer components including the now-standard hammer block safety.
In 1953, a new series of Kit Guns was produced and sold. The official designation was “.22/32 Kit Gun, Model of 1953.” These differed from previous production in having a new I-frame with a coiled mainspring and micro-click sights. They had 4 screws, coil mainsprings, larger trigger guards and larger grip frames like the new “J-frame” revolvers then being produced for personal defense purposes. This began a separate serial number series starting with number 101. This number series continued until October 1968, when the serials had progressed to number 135,465. The top sideplate screw was authorized for elimination on December 13, 1955. This change was phased in gradually between serial numbers 11,000 and approximately 14,000. It was in this Model of 1953 series that a 2” barreled version was first offered.
In 1957, Smith & Wesson renamed its lineup of handguns with numbers, and the Kit Gun became the Model 34. This model number was stamped in the frame cut for the yoke.
A significant change came in 1961 when the Model 34 Kit Gun was produced using the complete “J” frame, which was slightly larger. It simplified manufacturing, and the change was implemented at serial number 70,000. These J-frame revolvers are stamped “Model 34-1.” A new “M” prefix series was started in 1969, beginning with serial M1. An extremely rare bunch of about 15 guns, chambered in .22 LR and with fixed "groove" rear sights, were crafted in March of 1972. Only four were completely assembled and shipped. The 1988 Model 34-2 models had a new yoke retention system.
An Airweight Kit Gun was introduced in November 1954, with pilot production beginning around serial number 5000. However, actual mass production and distribution did not begin until January 1958, with serial numbers starting at 32,244. This gun had an aluminum alloy cylinder and frame. This was first known as the Model of 1955, and then officially as the Model 43 .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight. Since it was based on the J-frame rather than the I-frame from the beginning, there was never a 43-1 variation. The Model 43 was made only until 1974, when it was discontinued.
In May of 1960, the Model 51 .22/32 Rim Fire Magnum Kit Gun was introduced, chambered for the .22 Winchester Rimfire Magnum. The first serial number was 52,637. These were made only on the J-frame, and were produced until 1974. Both round and square butt variations were available, with the round butt type being the rarest. Models 43 and 51 were both numbered in the standard Model 34 series.
A “stainless kit gun,” the Model 63, was offered from 1977 to 1998, in both square and round butt configurations. Both 4” and 2” barrels were produced. There were a number of variations.
Post-war Kit Guns made after 1953 were offered with either 4” or 2” barrels. Both blued and nickeled finishes were available, as well as round and square grip frames. The central “diamond” pattern of the checkered grips was eliminated in 1968. The pinned barrel came to an end in 1982. As a point of information, all Kit Guns since the beginning have chambers recessed for the cartridge rims. I have seen, handled and shot a Model 34-1 two-inch–barreled Kit Gun made in 1980. It had deluxe features, including a nickel finish, a red ramp front sight, a white outline rear sight, and smooth stocks, so evidently there were plenty of options for these little guns.
These were very popular firearms with sportsmen, fishermen, plinkers, and anyone who just wanted a small, handy and accurate .22 revolver. However, all good things must come to an end, and in 1991, the Model 34 Kit Guns were dropped from the Smith & Wesson lineup. Still, the demand for these small guns was such that several similar small .22 revolvers were later offered by S&W with new model designations. Good specimens of all the Kit Gun variations are in high demand today, and prices have escalated rapidly in the last few years. Classic guns, every one!
(c) 2014 JLM
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