Model 22/32, Pre-35

[Marlin57M]

Several years ago, an old friend gifted me a 22/32, pre Model 35 that he purchased new around 1960. He did not shoot it extensively and is in overall good shape,

I was outside today enjoying the beautiful weather shooting it at 50' with some 20+ year old Winchester T22 ammo. Was pleased to keep all 50 rounds on the 50' bullseye slow-fire target, but was a challenge due to smaller grips.

From my limited searches, I understand this is an improved I frame gun, Serial #234xx. Any idea when it was produced?

 

[SDH]

My Pre-35 #24266 was shipped Nov 1956~~
Wonderful revolvers, one of my most favorites.

 

[DWalt]

I list a few kit gun SNs not too far away, and from those I'd say yours probably shipped sometime in 1956. As most everyone here knows, S&W did not ship in strict SN order, so unless you wish to spend $75 for a letter, that is about as close to a shipping date as you can get.

 

[Marlin57M]

Thank you for the prompt responses. 1956 is reasonable based upon his recollection of purchase year. I've never seen this configuration of the 22/32 and not sure of its intended market. We're many produced?

 

[DWalt]

What you have is the 1953 .22/32 Target version, the principal differences between it and its sister, the 1953 .22/32 kit gun being its 6" barrel and a different design of front sight. The purpose of the .22/32 Target was evidently target work, but at that time most any serious bullseye target shooter would have selected the heavier K-22 Masterpiece. The .22/32 Target may have appealed more to female target shooters due to its lighter weight, but that would have been a very small demographic. Therefore I'd guess it was not a big seller. The .22/32 kit gun with its shorter barrels (2" and 4") was marketed mainly as a compact fun gun/utility revolver for hunters, campers, fishermen, etc., and was probably somewhat more popular and sold better. But I have no idea as to how many of each .22/32 version were sold.

 

[bdGreen]

Mine

Model of 1953 .22/32 Target Blue SN 24363 ** October, 1956 **

enjoy,

bdGreen

 

[Hondo44]

Very nice!

I agree it likely shipped in '56; the 4th screw is already missing.

Too late for an Improved I frame. It's as DWalt stated, a Model of 1953 'New' I frame or Pre Model 35, .22/32 Target Model.

They only make up about 10% of .22/32 production because they didn't sell well, being deleted ~1974. And are highly sought after.

These New I frames have the same size grips as the 1953 New J frame with many larger factory grip options available.

Target models are often seen with these factory target grips:

Post war target stocks are the most hand filling (they can also be found smooth w/o checkering):

For rd butts:
Hand filling combat stocks w/medallions and smooth:

There's also these combats, checkered:

Or smooth:

And these:

 

[murphydog]

Jim, cool photos of stocks, but I think they are all for round butt J frames? There are similar factory Combat stocks for square butt frames as in your first two photos, and the universal fit Target stocks of the 1970s and '80s, that might be options.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim, cool photos of stocks, but I think they are all for round butt J frames? There are similar factory Combat stocks for square butt frames as in your first two photos, and the universal fit Target stocks of the 1970s and '80s, that might be options.

Thanks, you're absolutely right. In fact the main photo I meant to include didn't show up.

 

[GF]

The Mod 35 is a fine rimfire revolver, and it's a good lookin' little gun with the target stocks.
Here's another with the "round or square" universal fit stocks.

GF

 

[islandguy]

My wife's 6" modified I-frame Model of 1953 22/32 Target (#237XX) from 1956 was manufactured the same year that she was. It is a keeper, and so is she!

 

[Hondo44]

What could be better than that!

 

[islandguy]

What could be better than that!

Exactly! And, Hondo44 I believe you were instrumental in helping us figure out what S&W we actually had at the time we purchased it. Thanks again!

 

[THREEDFLYER]

My 22/32HE with 6" barrel shipped in 1923
Got to love those 6" I-Frame's!!!

 

[bamabiker]

And then there's this. A pre-35 that someone put a two tone after market finish on. Barrel and frame one color with everything else another.
Left the house one day with the idea that I would find a nice or unusual S&W. Well this is about the only one I found. Nice and tight, all numbers match for a good price and rarely ever see these for sale around here.
#2353x
Certainly not a collector piece, it is what it is.

 

[paplinker]

I would have no problem carrying that in the woods in a nice custom made holster.

I have a shooter M 35 that I have been thinking about having a flap holster made.