The gun that became the Model 43 in 1957 or so, was first made in November, 1954 and known as the .22/.32 Kit Gun Airweight. The first batch consisted of guns with serial numbers beginning with 5000.
The Model 43's older brother, the steel frame .22/.32 Kit Gun was built on the I frame, became the Model 34 when numbers were assigned, and the Model 34-1 when production moved from the I frame to the slightly longer J frame. By contrast, the aluminum frame .22/.32 Kit Gun was never built on the I frame, but on the larger J frame, so it became the Model 43 when the guns got numbers in 1957, so there was never a Model 43-1.
The Model 43 was serial numbered in the same sequence as the Model 34 Kit gun, and these two guns were joined by the .22 WMR-chambered Model 51 in May, 1960, at S/N 52,637. These guns had Serial numbers without letters until 1969, when the serial numbering sequence was changed to begin with M, such as M1, M2, M30000 by the end of 1971. My that point, the .22/.32 Kit Gun series included the standard steel .22 LR Kit Gun Model 34, the Model 35 .22/.32 Kit Gun Target (basically a Model 34 with a 6 inch barrel) and then the stainless steel Model 63, basically a Model 34 in stainless steel construction.
The Model 43 is an interesting sixgun. It has an aluminum J frame with adjustable target sights. The 6 shot cylinder is also aluminum. The vast majority were shipped with 3-1/2 inch barrels, blue (actually black anodized) finish and square butts shod with checkered walnut Magna stocks. Mine, S/N 148xx, was shipped in 1956 and is thus a "Pre-Model 43." A few had two inch barrels, round butts and a few had nickel finish. They were all dropped from the S&W line in 1974.
The .22/32 Kit Gun WMR became the Model 51 in 1960 when released for sales. It also has the 3-1/2 inch barrel, blue finish and square butt grip frame, and is rarely seen in round butt, two inch barrel or nickel finish. It was discontinued in 1974, along with the Model 43. My Model 51, S/N M144xx, was shipped 1969-1970.
Once could have quite a collection of they could find one of each variant of the Kit Guns, pre-M-34, M-34, M-34-1, pre-M-35, M-35, M-35-1, pre-M43, M-43, M-51, M-63, M-63-1, M-63-2, M-63-3, M-63-4, with each available barrel length, round or square butt, blue, nickel, black anodized or stainless steel.
I think the Model 43 is a fine choice for a Kit Gun.
