MD 43

[mscook]

I happened to go to an Estate auction today and bought a S&W 43 no -
My questions or.
Were all 43'S kit guns ?
Was the Md. 43 made with any engineering changes ?
I think this one is from the 70's
S# M631xx
Matching stocks
I will try to post pictures later
It is tight and has faint turn line.
I am proud of it.

mscook

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. By definition, the Model 43 is a Kit Gun. It is the Airweight version, introduced in the 1955 catalog. It became the Model 43 in 1958. I don't believe there was ever a dash 1. The Model 43 was built on the JAT frame from the outset.

Yours is from about 1973.

 

[jcelect]

-1 J frames!

The -1 on a J frame is the change from I frame to J frame, introduced in Oct 1960. Everybody sit down, the confuzzzzion starts now!
Exceptions;
The Chief's Special was never made on the true I frame. S&W used the I FRAME but with a longer cylinder window to accommodate 38 S&W Special cartridge! We call these guns "a Baby Chief's Special". A 36-1 was used to imply a mod 36 with a 3" heavy barrel, not to be confused with a mod 36 3" pencil barrel.
The mod 43 mentioned above was never made on the I frame. It was made in Nov 1954 in a pilot run starting at serial #5500 of the J frame series. However, it's official introduction was made in Jan 1958! A mod 43-1 was never made.
The mod 51 is also in this category of J frames. It was introduced in May 1960.
Then comes the mod 60 and and all it's J frame successors(too many to write about) !

Someone ask the question and this is the answer(sorry for the length)
jcelect

 

[JP@AK]

The Chief's Special was never made on the true I frame. S&W used the I FRAME but with a longer cylinder window to accommodate 38 S&W Special cartridge!

Actually, the Chiefs Special was always built on the J frame - it was first use of that frame. The "Baby Chief" is a J frame, but it is true that some of the dimensions mimic the Improved I frame.

The mod 43 mentioned above was never made on the I frame. It was made in Nov 1954 in a pilot run starting at serial #5500 of the J frame series. However, it's official introduction was made in Jan 1958

Yes, the Model 43 first appears in 1958. However, there were quite a few .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight units made in 1955-57 before the model number was applied. Hondo44 can probably give us an estimate of the number. And, by the way, it seems that all of them were 3 screw units.

 

[jcelect]

Actually, the Chiefs Special was always built on the J frame - it was first use of that frame. The "Baby Chief" is a J frame, but it is true that some of the dimensions mimic the Improved I frame.

Yes, the Model 43 first appears in 1958. However, there were quite a few .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight units made in 1955-57 before the model number was applied. Hondo44 can probably give us an estimate of the number. And, by the way, it seems that all of them were 3 screw units.

Same fact, different words!

The OP inquired about the model 43, not a 22/32 Kit Gun Air Weight.
Reference Material;
History of Smith & Wesson, by Roy G. Jinks, Copyright 1977
Smith & Wesson Hand Guns, by Roy C. McHenry and Walter F. Roper, Copyright 1958 Which made no mention of a 22/32 Kit gun Air Weight
jcelect

 

[Club Gun Fan]

The Model 43 is a great carry gun. I found this pre 43 in a gun shop 30 years ago. It was an unknown 2" until found it. According to Company records it was manufactures years before the first known pre-43's were produced.
It's brand new and it came in it's numbered starburst box with all the papers and tools.
I paid $350.00 otd. It letters to "Dan Wesson, Plant Superintendent, S&W."

 

[Hondo44]

Same fact, different words!

The OP inquired about the model 43, not a 22/32 Kit Gun Air Weight.
Reference Material;
History of Smith & Wesson, by Roy G. Jinks, Copyright 1977
Smith & Wesson Hand Guns, by Roy C. McHenry and Walter F. Roper, Copyright 1958 Which made no mention of a 22/32 Kit gun Air Weight
jcelect

Just a few clarifying details:

The .22/32 Kit Gun Airweights and Model 43 stamped versions are the same gun and labeled both ways after it became and was stamped the Mod 43.

They were not serialized in the J frame serial range, but in the Model of 1953 NEW I frame serial # range that began with #101 in 1953.

The standard barrel length is 3 1/2" and is not stamped Airweight.