22/32 Kit Gun Looking For A Date
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Bob the J frame guru may be along soon, but my guess on this one is late 1957, toward the end of guns without model stamping. The ("sunburst") box style is technically from earlier in the 1950s, but you know the stories of S & W not wasting anything that was usable. Cool gun.
About that stain-------------------------------
There was a time, back a spell, when I had a box for a .44 H.E. 2nd Target---THE box, actually------with a HUGE, HORRIBLE, STAIN!! I had another one--THE box for a NM #3----with target sights--and a Russian style trigger guard of all things. It didn't have a stain. It was simply warped---super bad---every place it had a place. I'd heard about this fellow, Gary Lowe ("glowe" hereabouts) who could fix boxes-----was a WIZARD actually.
One phone call, and off these boxes went to Gary. Then they came back. The stained box didn't have a stain anymore. Its weak corners weren't weak anymore----and you couldn't tell anything'd been fixed---never mind you damn sure knew it had been!
The warped box came back dead square---and stayed that way. The structural damage done by the warping was gone too. And again, you couldn't tell anything'd been fixed.
Can he fix your box? I don't know---but he does!
Ralph Tremaine
There was a time, back a spell, when I had a box for a .44 H.E. 2nd Target---THE box, actually------with a HUGE, HORRIBLE, STAIN!! I had another one--THE box for a NM #3----with target sights--and a Russian style trigger guard of all things. It didn't have a stain. It was simply warped---super bad---every place it had a place. I'd heard about this fellow, Gary Lowe ("glowe" hereabouts) who could fix boxes-----was a WIZARD actually.
One phone call, and off these boxes went to Gary. Then they came back. The stained box didn't have a stain anymore. Its weak corners weren't weak anymore----and you couldn't tell anything'd been fixed---never mind you damn sure knew it had been!
The warped box came back dead square---and stayed that way. The structural damage done by the warping was gone too. And again, you couldn't tell anything'd been fixed.
Can he fix your box? I don't know---but he does!
Ralph Tremaine
I am no guru about boxes but I think the pasted label was typical in the era when that gun was made. If not typical, I'd guess at least not uncommon. That's certainly a beautiful little revolver you've found. I have a "distant cousin" about 1500 numbers older that is a 4-inch round butt. It's also in very nice shape, but has no box. The round butt frame is not my cup of tea, but I'd guess it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Congratulations on your new .22. 
I just acquired a Model of 55 22/32 Airweight Kit Gun with a relatively close number #32886. No box though and not nearly the fine condition of yours.
Really cool little gun, enjoy it! I have one very similar to yours and consider it one of my favorites.
S/N 36051 ……
S/N 36051 ……
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My 2" 34-1 Kit Gun is much later production, but I still really like it!
Nickel Round butt!
Nickel Round butt!
3 screw side plate = post 1955,
Pre model stamping = pre mid 1958 and an I Frame.
Very nice!!!
Pre model stamping = pre mid 1958 and an I Frame.
Very nice!!!
Jim, could this be more correctly called an Improved I Frame?...These often confuse my limited brain capacity...
...BenHi Ben,
No, it's a Model of 1953 New I Frame, the Improved I frames ended with the Model of 1953 NEW I Frame which was the first new post war model for the 22/32 and with a new serial Number range beginning with Number 101.
The Improved I frame, 1st Version introduced the coil main spring and 5 screw frame. The 2nd Version introduced the barrel rib with ramped front sight. There are no 22/32 Improved models or models with 5 screws.
The Model 1953 introduced all of the above features plus the 4 screw, large trigger guard and the 1/8" longer rd butt grip frame on the 22/32 I frame. The other I frame models of 1953, the .32 and 38 S&W, received those last new features.
Hope that helps.
No, it's a Model of 1953 New I Frame, the Improved I frames ended with the Model of 1953 NEW I Frame which was the first new post war model for the 22/32 and with a new serial Number range beginning with Number 101.
The Improved I frame, 1st Version introduced the coil main spring and 5 screw frame. The 2nd Version introduced the barrel rib with ramped front sight. There are no 22/32 Improved models or models with 5 screws.
The Model 1953 introduced all of the above features plus the 4 screw, large trigger guard and the 1/8" longer rd butt grip frame on the 22/32 I frame. The other I frame models of 1953, the .32 and 38 S&W, received those last new features.
Hope that helps.
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Some day I hope to be as smart on S&W terminology as you and some others, Jim...If I live that long...
...Ben
My Model 34 serial number is just 485 numbers later than your nice 22/32 serial # and Hondo said according to my serial # it probably shipped the last 3 or 4 months of 1958. My box has the same type label as yours, which I know was common for the earlier 22/32 kit guns.
Model19man
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Both the revolver and the box are legit as can be. Thanks for sharing.
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My true Kit, used as such.
This one's been through the ringer. Picked it up last year for 200ish. really rusted up, but work as should. Just looked like #%$^. Had no choice but to strip it all the way down and have it cerakoted. At least I can use it and that's what I was looking for. Not afraid to take it out the front door. Four digit serial # 888X. I'm thinking 1951 or so. Came from Florida, probably at gator gun. Sitting in a boat all these years. I'm trying to post pics but will have to learn some more.
This one's been through the ringer. Picked it up last year for 200ish. really rusted up, but work as should. Just looked like #%$^. Had no choice but to strip it all the way down and have it cerakoted. At least I can use it and that's what I was looking for. Not afraid to take it out the front door. Four digit serial # 888X. I'm thinking 1951 or so. Came from Florida, probably at gator gun. Sitting in a boat all these years. I'm trying to post pics but will have to learn some more.
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We'd love to see it. But until then I can tell you it's not from '51. With a serial number that low it has to be a Model of 1953 New I frame when the new serial number range began at 101. It likely shipped within the next two years.
It's a .22/32 Kit Gun if it has a 2" or 4" barrel and became the Model 34 in '57. If it's a 6", it's a .22/32 Target model and became the model 35.
It's a .22/32 Kit Gun if it has a 2" or 4" barrel and became the Model 34 in '57. If it's a 6", it's a .22/32 Target model and became the model 35.
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Yes you are correct. I was looking up my terrier today too. That one I'm thinking 50-51. Kit gun, I was thinking 1955. Which would be my dob.
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