I am in need of some information, please.

[smitholdtimer]

I found an early "I" frame .22caliber Hand Ejector with a 4" barrel and a rebated frame. I'd appreciate anyone who can advise when it was shipped.
Yes I knew the S&WCA section was moving but I haven't learned how to access it and now that it is removed from the public forum I am unable to find it. I have inquired with Mike Helms for instructions hoping he is the man who knows.
So in the meantime here is the the partial S/N 5344** and the finish is blue, grips have the silver Medallions and I find no S/N on the inside of right grip panel.
Your help is very much appreciated!

 

[JP@AK]

Your Kit Gun is from the 1930s. Mine is in the 530000 range and it shipped in July, 1937. Yours should be somewhere in that same period.

 

[murphydog]

It is within the SN range for an original .22/32 Kit Gun, but it may have also been cut down from a 6" .22/32 Target, or rebarreled. I've personally seen a 4" gun that lettered as a 6", but with a rework date and matching numbered barrel.

Mike is the contact for access to theswca.org, he grants you access and you log on there with the same credentials as here.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Thanks Very Much, JP@AK & murphydog

I was hoping for a Pre WWII Kit Gun and this surely looked the part. I really appreciate both your replies. I have since regained access to the S&W CA Forum and as soon as I can get an opening I'll ask Mr. Roy for a ship date. Always appreciate those of you who are more knowledgeable and offer to help when needed.

 

[Hondo44]

Sam you clearly have a pre war .22/32 and highly likely a Kit Gun. They were introduced in 1935 and yours is probably late 1930s.

I’m glad you mentioned the rebated grip frame. It originally came with the square butt adapter grips originally used on the .32 and .38 S&W I frame Regulation Police models. The majority of the Kit Guns came with round butt grips.

Does the barrel serial number match the number on the front strap of the grip frame?

Yes there should be a stamped serial number on the inside of the right grip. It could have factory replacement grips which would not be numbered. If the silver medallions are flat and flush with the wood they are period correct for the gun and the checkering field border should have sharp corners. If corners are rounded and the medallions have a curved surface, they are post war Regulation Police grips.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Hondo44 appreciate your expertise & help!

I just checked and confirmed that the barrel S/N matches the butt S/N and the medallions are flat so all the blocks appear to be checked from the questions that you raised. I haven't been inside yet so am unaware what mechanism is employed but I am looking forward to seeing the clock like internals. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

Edited to add: Jim, reread your post and realized that the S/N is not on the front strap as the Regulation Police .32 & .38 "I" Frames but on the bottom flat under the grips. Not sure this is significant but wanted to include it.

 

[Hondo44]

A serial number on the butt of a grip frame with a rebated back strap is unusual. Does the rebate look like factory craftsmanship or work done outside the factory?

 

[Hondo44]

There’s two possible explanations:

The gun was in inventory as a round butt Kit Gun when an order was received for a sq butt, it was modified and shipped from the factory.

Or it was returned to the factory and then modified to a sq butt. Are there any rework stamps and/or a date stamped on the left side of the grip frame or a star following the serial number on the butt?

Only a S&W authentication letter can confirm the configuration when shipped.

 

[smitholdtimer]

The.22 Caliber Kit Gun was shipped...............

Jim, the rebate looks factory to me and the S/N numbers are metal stamped just as other revolvers I've seen from this era. Mr. Jinks advises that this revolver shipped in June of 1940 so it's just a year older than I am. Also I really appreciate all the very knowledgeable questions you asked.