Is this an I frame?

[silicosys4]

Hello,
Help is requested in ID'ing this gun being sold as a "pre-34", i'm wondering if this is an I frame, and whatever other information can be provided based on the pictures provided.
Thank you

 

[robertrwalsh]

I think not. I COULD be wrong but I thought all the I and Improved I frames were 4 screw or 5 screw. Serial # might be helpful.

 

[Muley Gil]

Open the cylinder and look at the frame. What is stamped there?

 

[s&wchad]

Yes, that's a model of 1953 I frame (note the short cylinder and smaller frame window). It has an elongated trigger guard and longer grip frame, which takes the same stocks as current J frames. The large, upper sideplate screw was eliminated around 1955.

Pre-model 34 is an appropriate term if it's not model marked in the yoke cut. The .22/32 Kit Gun was designated as the Model 34 in 1957. S&W standardized on the J frame at change level 34-1.

 

[silicosys4]

Thank you, I do not have it in hand yet but I'll post more when I do

 

[H Richard]

With the longer frame wouldn't that be classed as an "Improved" I Frame?

 

[s&wchad]

With the longer frame wouldn't that be classed as an "Improved" I Frame?

Not all "improved I frames" had a larger trigger guard and longer grip frame. Those were part of the model of 1953 upgrades, which was also done on the J frame.

I believe the "improved I frame" was the earlier change from a leaf main spring to a coil main spring.

 

[JP@AK]

With the longer frame wouldn't that be classed as an "Improved" I Frame?

As Chad noted in Post #7 above, the Model of 1953 made changes to the Improved I frame. Jim Carter, our resident expert on these models, has dubbed the Model of 1953 the "New I Frame." It is basically an enhanced Improved I Frame.

See pages 144-146 in the SCSW 4th or pages 178-181 in the 5th Edition.

 

[Obe]

With the longer frame wouldn't that be classed as an "Improved" I Frame?

The longer frame is the later J Frame (ca. 1961).

With the longer frame wouldn't that be classed as an "Improved" I Frame?

 

[JP@AK]

The longer frame is the later J Frame (ca. 1961).

The J frame version has a longer cylinder window and a longer cylinder.
The 1953 "New" I Frame has a longer grip frame than the postwar Improved I Frame. The J Frame grip frame was extended at the same time.