Kit gun dates:

[Donald Paul]

Just wondering about a build/ship date for my little 22/32 kit.
As follows:
I frame {I think}, two inch, model 34 {marked}, all matching SERNO 6014X, flat latch, three screw, diamonds, ball & socket, lazy ampersand, frame logo.
{It's a cutie}.
Thanks - Don

 

[murphydog]

This one lands in the standard reference table as 1959 production. Enjoy!

 

[colt_saa]

Just wondering about a build/ship date for my little 22/32 kit.
As follows:
I frame {I think}, two inch, model 34 {marked}, all matching SERNO 6014X, flat latch, three screw, diamonds, ball & socket, lazy ampersand, frame logo.
{It's a cutie}.
Thanks - Don

Beautiful example of a 22/32 Kit gun. Wish either of mine looked that good.

You are correct it is an I-frame. The two frames are VERY close in size and hard to tell apart at a casual glance.

The frame was manufactured in 1959. As to a ship date you need to request a Historical letter from S&W for that information.

 

[H Richard]

I believe, to be technical, it is an "Improved I Frame", with the coil spring mainspring, and a slightly longer grip frame.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Nice Kit Gun-----

Donald Paul, all the things you mentioned place your new Kit Gun in the very desirable category, the Improved "I" frame, the Flat Latch, the Ball-Socket action and the Diamond Stocks were produced during an era when pride in workmanship and quality of product was of utmost importance. Yours is a very fortunate find and something anyone would be proud to own! I was fortunate enough to locate the Square Butt version of your revolver although in less than pristine condition but a keeper non the less! Enjoy, these are becoming more and more difficult to locate and thank you for posting.

Just in case no one had warned you, the word is that you should not try to cycle the action with the side plate off, the hammer & trigger pins are not supported, cycling may cause them to fail and break from the frame.

 

[JP@AK]

all the things you mentioned place your new Kit Gun in the very desirable category . . .
Yours is a very fortunate find and something anyone would be proud to own!

Agreed! Mine is shown in the upper right corner of this pic. It is a bit older than the OP's, being a non-model-marked example, shipped in January of 1958. I was very happy to acquire it a while back. These are great shooting little revolvers!

 

[Hondo44]

I believe, to be technical, it is an "Improved I Frame", with the coil spring mainspring, and a slightly longer grip frame.

Just to be a little more technical, it's a Model of 1953 'New Frame'. The 'improved I' is a five screw with only the coil spring improvement.

The New I frame only has 4 screws (later 3 screws), the larger trigger guard, and longer grip frame.

THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION - Smith & Wesson Forum

 

[JP@AK]

Ah! The uncontested expert on all things I frame has arrived.
Thanks, Jim!
I always appreciate your posts. Seriously!

 

[JP@AK]

By the way, in my post #6, you can clearly see the difference between the I frame and the J frame by comparing the Kit Gun with the 1964 J frame right below it. The cylinder window is noticeably longer on the J frame. The other three items in the photo are K frame revolvers.

 

[Hondo44]

Just wondering about a build/ship date for my little 22/32 kit.
As follows:
I frame {I think}, two inch, model 34 {marked}, all matching SERNO 6014X, flat latch, three screw, diamonds, ball & socket, lazy ampersand, frame logo.
{It's a cutie}.
Thanks - Don

Hi Don,

Although built in the 1959 period, guns with close serial numbers to yours didn't ship until mid to late 1962.

 

[Hondo44]

Ah! The uncontested expert on all things I frame has arrived.
Thanks, Jim!
I always appreciate your posts. Seriously!

Hi Jack,

Kind comments indeed.

Thx,

 

[Donald Paul]

WOW - Thanks Jim and everyone.
The information on this forum is just overwhelming.
Few better places to spend time than with you guys.
Thank you all very much
- Don