Pre-war 22 kit gun, found one

Casual Smith Nut · Dec 4, 2023

Came across this old pre-war 22LR kit gun and couldn’t let it go. I wasn’t looking for one but that’s how it goes.

Serial is 531xxx so I’m thinking later 1930s? All numbers are matching. The spot on the side plate is a bummer but not too bad. It sure is a dainty piece. I imagine it will be challenging to shoot it well. In my experience shooting my mod 63 it already takes some concentration to shoot it well. Translate that to an i-frame… wells see.

I look forward to trying it out on some tin cans sometime in near future. With the craftsmanship it’s hard to see by today’s standards that this was essentially a utility gun. I wanted to share with forum this cool little gun. Not many of these out there it seems.

I was able to snap some quick cell pics.

22hipower · Dec 4, 2023

Nice! We sure don't see those every day. Don't think I've ever seen one locally for sale.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

S&W ucla · Dec 4, 2023

That's a nice one! The .22 of choice for the discerning sportsman, like Edward R. Murrow and his son

JP@AK · Dec 4, 2023

My .22/32 Kit Gun, serial number 530141 was shipped in July 1937. That should put you close.

USBP SW · Dec 4, 2023

The first Smith and Wesson I was exposed to, the beginning of my preference for anything Smith and Wesson. It belonged to my friend and I finally found one years later, mine has a star in front of the serial number, I should probably get a letter to find out why it went back to the factory but I have shot it and loved it. I have only used standard velocity ammo in mine because the steel in the 1930's was likely softer and I am not interested in performance, I have other .22's. I would recommend the milder loads for those wonderful little works of art.

Casual Smith Nut · Dec 4, 2023

Thanks Jack. 1937 is probably date for mine as well since it’s less than 100 previous to your serial.

What’s the going value on these pre-war KGs? I might have hard time justifying shooting this one regularly depending on value and have a hard time keeping safe queens.

JP@AK · Dec 4, 2023

Casual Smith Nut said:
What’s the going value on these pre-war KGs? I might have hard time justifying shooting this one regularly depending on value and have a hard time keeping safe queens.

I think I paid around $450-$500 for mine at a gun show a while back.

Shoot it, you will like it. While the "softer steel" stuff is not true, I do recommend standard velocity ammo for these. That's what it was fed back in the day and your KG will shoot it nicely.

HeloMt · Dec 4, 2023

I think the prices a bit higher than that.

mikepriwer · Dec 4, 2023

This gun was shipped to US Congressman Cecil King. The first picture is the left side of the revolver.

mikepriwer-albums-bianchi-1967-1968-catalog-offerings-picture27166-kit-gun-601686-left-side.jpg

The next picture is the right side of the revolver.

mikepriwer-albums-bianchi-1967-1968-catalog-offerings-picture27168-kit-gun-right-side.jpg

The last picture is the factory letter.

mikepriwer-albums-bianchi-1967-1968-catalog-offerings-picture27167-kit-gun-factory-letter-0001-a.jpg

Regards, Mike Priwer

22shtur · Dec 4, 2023

One with original box and in 98% condition or better sold on GB for $1,910.00 plus shipping on Nov 26, 2023.
Another one with original box and also 98% or better sold on gunsinternational for over $4,300.00 last month.

max503 · Dec 4, 2023

S&W ucla said:
That's a nice one! The .22 of choice for the discerning sportsman, like Edward R. Murrow and his son

I would never shoot mine without glasses. She's a spitter. Timing is good but she still spits.

Hondo44 · Dec 4, 2023

Casual Smith Nut, very nice find.

Yours has the USRS (US Revolver Asspciation) Pocket front sight blade. It could also be had with a Patridge blade.

A little touch up with OxPho blue from Brownells and the blemish on the side plate won'y be so obvious.

Model19man · Dec 4, 2023

Casual Smith Nut said:
Came across this old pre-war 22LR kit gun and couldn’t let it go. I wasn’t looking for one but that’s how it goes.

This is the reason S&W won the revolver wars against Colt. Better quality.

Hondo44 · Dec 4, 2023

max503 said:
I would never shoot mine without glasses. She's a spitter. Timing is good but she still spits.

That's unusual. You might want to check the chamber to barrel alignment with a range rod.

JSR III · Dec 4, 2023

According to my database I have 10 recorded with the starting digits 531XXX. The lowest number shipped 6/14/1938 and the highest 11/1938. They all shipped in 1938 between March and November.

If you wish to PM me the full serial number I will add it to my database.

Mike SC Hunter · Dec 4, 2023

Awesome gun.........Enjoy for the rest of your life.

Casual Smith Nut · Dec 4, 2023

Thanks for the info James. I sent you a PM with the full serial.

Hondo, the little blemish is also a small nick in the side plate which you can feel when running finger over it. I’ll just leave it as-is. Oh well.

The trigger pull in DA is quite heavy though VERY smooth. SA is light and crisp, lighter than I would have expected given the heavy DA. One chamber is a little slow on carry up when thumbing back the hammer slowly. However the trigger pull finishes the motion and cylinder locks in place correctly as soon as trigger is pulled. The other 5 chambers are good for carry up. Overall I’m pleased with it. Aside from the nick/spot, seems used but not abused. Looking forward to shooting it next to my no dash mod 63.

I found some previous posts of other pre-war KGs on the forum. Looks like values are mostly north of 1k for decent examples and beyond 2k for higher grade and including box.

I think I’ll enjoy it for what it is with some range outings for a while and maybe pass it on in the future to anyone with a bad case of the wants. We’ll see. I appreciate everyone’s insights and info on the old kit guns. They’re definitely cool and have their own charm not found in the regular M34 and M63.

rct269 · Dec 5, 2023

I don't know how many of these are "out there". I do know the sight of one is a rare occurrence. I hear tell that's because they were made from "unobtainium"---a rare alloy of iron and carbon, fluxed with large numbers of $100 bills.

Ralph Tremaine

We were at first day qualifying for an "Indy 500" event some years ago, and had the opportunity to visit the shops of Meyer Drake Engineering (Makers of the famed Offenhouser racing engines). The sign over the door can be applied to these pre-war Kit Guns----"THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS--BRING MONEY!"

max503 · Dec 5, 2023

Hondo44 said:
That's unusual. You might want to check the chamber to barrel alignment with a range rod.

I've lived with it this long. I don't think it shaves lead. I just feel little dustings coming off. It's not every shot.

adowns · Dec 5, 2023

JP@AK said:
I think I paid around $450-$500 for mine at a gun show a while back.

Shoot it, you will like it. While the "softer steel" stuff is not true, I do recommend standard velocity ammo for these. That's what it was fed back in the day and your KG will shoot it nicely.

Look how thick the metal is around the chamber and bore, compared to a 38. I think any 22, handgun or rifle, is exceedingly safe. I have never seen or heard of a 22 blowing up or being damaged due to high pressure loads. Has anyone?

Pre-war 22 kit gun, found one

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