.22/32 Kit Gun Pre-Model 34

[Hondo44]

38-55,

That's certainly a beauty and an early one to boot. In fact the grip medallions look especially nice. Compare to those in other posts in this thread which are standard post war curved, nickel plated brass. I'm not saying they aren't original to your gun.

They look like what we call 'flat silvers' which are chrome plated brass used in the 30's and left overs were used very early post war. I can't tell for sure in just one photo but you're very lucky if they are.

Are they flat or curved? If curved, they could also be and more likely to be left over chrome plated steel medallions from the early 50's when there was a brass shortage during the Korean war. Please check them with a magnet.

They may have been lying in the bottom of the assembler's parts bin for 5 to 10 years and finally got used.

 

[38-55]

Good eye Hondo, you caught me!

They are not the original grips. The gun came with square butt conversion target grips. The grips you see I bought from another member of this forum. The medallions have a slight curve to them and are non magnetic.
The serial number stamped on the grip is 284766. My gun is a 4 screw, serial number 216xx, which from what I can gather, dates it to around 1955. I have a possible lead on where the originals are but haven't checked it out yet.

 

[Green Frog]

OK, now that the subject of pre-34s is on the table again, I have a question I haven't been able to have answered adequately. What I would like to know is whether there were any post-War Kit Guns or Heavy Frame Targets built in true I-frame configuration, or were they all coil spring guns? Inquiring minds want to know!

Froggie

 

[Hondo44]

OK, now that the subject of pre-34s is on the table again, I have a question I haven't been able to have answered adequately. What I would like to know is whether there were any post-War Kit Guns or Heavy Frame Targets built in true I-frame configuration, or were they all coil spring guns? Inquiring minds want to know!

Froggie

Yes, there are post war Kit Guns built on the Transitional pure post war I frame with leaf springs. HFTs are reported but no one has seen one, however I have seen 6" barrels for them in the proper post war serial range w/o notch under the barrel for pre war "barrel" shaped ejector rod knob.

The 22/32 Kits Guns are unique in that they did not go thru the normal evolution of 1950s I frames. From the transitional pure post war they jumped straight to the New Model of 1953 skipping the Improved post war I frame variation. Check my I Frame Evolution for more detail.

22/32 Kit Gun Transitionals w/leaf spring w/ Rd an Sq Butt:

Transitional w/Magnas:

Blue SAT on left especially ground and supplied with post war Transitionals for their pre war sites:

 

[Hondo44]

Good eye Hondo, you caught me!

They are not the original grips. The gun came with square butt conversion target grips. The grips you see I bought from another member of this forum. The medallions have a slight curve to them and are non magnetic.
The serial number stamped on the grip is 284766. My gun is a 4 screw, serial number 216xx, which from what I can gather, dates it to around 1955. I have a possible lead on where the originals are but haven't checked it out yet.

The medallions are especially nice with sharp detail; must have come from a new mould or die stamp. Those grips # 284766 can only be from a 1962-63 Cheif Special Mod 36 or 37. Totally correct though for your '55 Kit Gun.

 

[38-55]

Thanks for the grip info Jim! I was wondering what they might have come off of. I need to check into my lead on the originals; the gun is a shooter not a safe queen but it would be nice to have the serial matched grips. All other numbers match.

 

[rburg]

Somewhere in the dark recesses of my gun collection is M1953 Kit Gun serial #666. The Devil's own gun. For a while I also had #237, but I sold it to my buddy Joe. He still has it, I guess. The Devil's gun came to me via David Carroll, thru Lyle Larkworthy, and who knows who's collection before that. Cute little guns.

 

[Green Frog]

Yes, there are post war Kit Guns built on the Transitional pure post war I frame with leaf springs. HFTs are reported but no one has seen one, however I have seen 6" barrels for them in the proper post war serial range w/o notch under the barrel for pre war "barrel" shaped ejector rod knob.

The 22/32 Kits Guns are unique in that they did not go thru the normal evolution of 1950s I frames. From the transitional pure post war they jumped straight to the New Model of 1953 skipping the Improved post war I frame variation. Check my I Frame Evolution for more detail.

Great... another gun for my bucket list!

I remembered about the lack of "Improved I-frames" but could not recall what you had said about post-War pure I-frame guns in 22 Kit Gun mode. Now I just gots to get one!!

Just for everyone else's enlightenment, since Jim already knows this, I am in possession of one of those elusive post-War 6" barrels for the HFT (no e-rod knob notch) but it is installed on my pre-War HFT (1920s vintage) with a modified (de-knobbed) e-rod. I figured the originality of that barrel was worth more than the effort to turn down a rod.

Froggie

 

[IceCreamMan]

Wanted to share these two... And refresh this thread on one of my favorite revolvers.

Can anyone date these two: 4" SN 1460, Maybe 1953? 2" SN 7054? I found the 4" in Boothbay, Maine and the 2" came out of Maine as well. Both guns are all matching including the grips but no serial number written on the box. I haven't lettered the guns and probably won't.

The red box is for the 4". I don't have a box for the 2" but was wondering if anyone has one for a 2" Pre 34 they could post. I'm curious if the 2" ships in a smaller box or is it the same size but marked 2" on the side?

 

[Hondo44]

Wow, two four screw models. Very nice condition too.

The 2" had a smaller box.

Although introduced in 1953 most shipped much later according to my database of ship dates:
#1460 likely shipped mid 1954 & 7054 likely Nov, 1954.

 

[Ranger8021]

.22/32 Kit Gun

I have a 2" 22/32 Kit gun chambered in .22LR serial # 216XX ....I called Smith today and the historian told me it was made in 1955. I will put some pics up in a few days. I rate the blueing on this gun at about 95% with the original grips. Serial number on the but matches that on the inside of the cylinder. Historian told me its worth about $700. Does that sound about right? Wondering if I should get it lettered. my father thinks that he purchased it some time in 1967.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

That does sound like a beauty of a 22/32 KG, Model of 1953 New 'I' frame.

Are you sure the Historian told you it was made in 1955, or it shipped in '55? The value sounds right IMO, if it's a round butt, and the serial # on the back of the right grip matches the gun's.

Getting a letter is like buying a lottery ticket; you have a very small chance of finding out much more than the ship date, store/location shipped to and the original configuration, barrel length, etc.. You'll get a little info on the evolution of that model. Most only get the letter when there's a question about some option being an original factory installed item. Some hope that it went to a celebrity or other unique destination. I'd keep the $50 for a more questionable piece, and it takes about 4 months to get the letter.

You can read all about it's evolution by clicking on the yellow 3 above right.

P.S. If you start a new thread next time, you're likely to get more responses.

 

[Ranger8021]

Welcome to the forum.

That does sound like a beauty of a 22/32 KG, Model of 1953 New 'I' frame.

Are you sure the Historian told you it was made in 1955, or it shipped in '55? The value sounds right IMO, if it's a round butt, and the serial # on the back of the right grip matches the gun's.

Getting a letter is like buying a lottery ticket; you have a very small chance of finding out much more than the ship date, store/location shipped to and the original configuration, barrel length, etc.. You'll get a little info on the evolution of that model. Most only get the letter when there's a question about some option being an original factory installed item. Some hope that it went to a celebrity or other unique destination. I'd keep the $50 for a more questionable piece, and it takes about 4 months to get the letter.

You can read all about it's evolution here:

P.S. If you start a new thread next time, you're likely to get more responses.

Thats what I thought I heard. I'm not a Smith expert and I dont know much about them. My collection consists mostly of Colts. Like I said this gun is a beauty and in perfect working order. So if it did ship in 1955 when do you think it was made? the serial number on the but matches the one on the cylinder. I will have to check the grip panel. Thanks for your response.

 

[Hondo44]

Thats what I thought I heard. I'm not a Smith expert and I dont know much about them. My collection consists mostly of Colts. Like I said this gun is a beauty and in perfect working order. So if it did ship in 1955 when do you think it was made? the serial number on the but matches the one on the cylinder. I will have to check the grip panel. Thanks for your response.

It appears I left out this link!
THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION - Smith & Wesson Forum

 

[Hondo44]

Thats what I thought I heard. I'm not a Smith expert and I dont know much about them. My collection consists mostly of Colts. Like I said this gun is a beauty and in perfect working order. So if it did ship in 1955 when do you think it was made? the serial number on the but matches the one on the cylinder. I will have to check the grip panel. Thanks for your response.

Ranger,

They were a new hot item back then and although designed and labeled Model of 1953, the first #101 didn't actually ship until early 1954. So yours was probably built and shipped within the same month. And although my # 21209 is near your #, it didn't ship until March 1956, they were not shipped in serial # order and sometimes way out of order! Mine has a 4 screw sideplate including one under the right grip panel. The top screw was deleted later in 1956, but does yours have 3 or 4 screws?

To confirm original parts, check for your 6 matching serial # locations for fixed sight pre war Hand Ejectors and all post war Hand Ejectors until ~1956.
NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, and an attitude that it is there!

1. Gun butt - or forestrap on I frames/single shots with grips that cover the butt

2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud

3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight

4. Extractor star - backside

5. Cylinder - rear face

6. Right stock only - on back; stamped, scratched or penciled depending on vintage and stock material. (except most target grips because individual fitting not required.)


*NOTE: The one TRUE place you can be sure of reading the serial number, including letter prefixes, is the BUTT of the gun, (or Front grip strap on non-round butt .22/32 & Regulation Police pre Model of 1953 I frames). The number on the butt may be drilled thru by the factory for installation of a lanyard ring but is re-stamped on the grip frame, under the left stock. Factory installed rings are always 1/10" forward of center.

I collect Colt's too, especially SAAs but also 1911s and 1926s (1911A1s in military speak); but not a single DA.

 

[Ranger8021]

Hondo, here are so pics of my Dad's kit gun

 

[Ranger8021]

More pics of my dads kit gun

 

[Ranger8021]

Another pic...having trouble posting more than one pic at a time

 

[Hondo44]

Dang! That's gorgeous late 4 screw/early bright blue finish. In other words it's early enough that it has the 4 screw sideplate feature but just late enough to have the newer improved glossy finish replacing the post war satin finish that these models started with.

It's the finest period for these Model of 1953s from a collector standpoint IMO.

 

[Ranger8021]

Thanks Hondo! Like I said my dad has had it for almost 50 years and he plans on giving it to me. We still shoot it every couple of months and we take very good care of it. The blue finish is in excellent condition considering its age