Please help me Id this .22 adj sight

[norville]

Folks, Please if you would help me out, I'd appreciate it.

I came across a very small 22 S&W revolver. No pics yet I have it on hold to buy, but I would like to know what it is and about how much it's worth.

Stuff I know S# 2765## 6 shot 22 long adjustable sights, square butt, 4" barrel, The overall gun is tiny.


PAT Dec 17, 01, Feb 6, 06, Sep 1, 09

The grips are longer than the frame and are stamped Pat. Jun 05 1917


Over all condition : grips are worn but match the gun and unfortunately some scribed their name on the bottom of the grips. The bore and rest of the gun are not abused. But very worn maybe 70% blue but lots of patina. I've never seen an I-frame but is this one?

thanks for any help.

bob

 

[norville]

Folks, Please if you would help me out, I'd appreciate it.

I came across a very small 22 S&W revolver. No pics yet I have it on hold to buy, but I would like to know what it is and about how much it's worth.

Stuff I know S# 2765## 6 shot 22 long adjustable sights, square butt, 4" barrel, The overall gun is tiny.


PAT Dec 17, 01, Feb 6, 06, Sep 1, 09

The grips are longer than the frame and are stamped Pat. Jun 05 1917


Over all condition : grips are worn but match the gun and unfortunately some scribed their name on the bottom of the grips. The bore and rest of the gun are not abused. But very worn maybe 70% blue but lots of patina. I've never seen an I-frame but is this one?

thanks for any help.

bob

 

[smith17]

Bob:
Is it a handejector? The first thing I thought of when I read 'tiny' was a Ladysmith but those were 7 shots and didn't go up that high in serial numbers, I don;'t believe. It might be a .22/32 HE which is an I frame but I thought they all had 6" barrels. Is the serial number you quote on the butt of the grip frame or the front strap?
Ed

 

[norville]

No it's a HE. S# on the front of frame under barrel and cylinder face.

I just called the shop there is a * by the serail number and the front site is part of the barrel and the blade is pinned in.

thanks
bob

 

[lonewolf]

From the scanty info you have given, it sounds like a pre war 22/32 "Kit Gun",if the sights(and the gun!) seem as small as ya say.

They came with 4" bbls. and one of the grip options, were 2 types of 'extended grips"(below the frame).

These were introduced in the 1930's to be part of a "fisherman/outdoorsman's, "kit", or equipment.

Basically, they were "handier versions" of the 22/32 Target Model, which did have a 6" barrel.

In "good" condition, the pre wars are sought by collectors. Sales really took off in the 1950's with the post war version(s).

Bud

 

[mikepriwer]

Norville

The gun is not tiny - its is an I-frame, thats all.

4" 22/32 targets are good guns to own, although the condition on this one is
not as good as one might like. The 4" target versions are scarce, but not rare.

All the pre-WW2 target revolvers have a forged front sight base, and the blade is
pinned into that base. The * on the butt probably means that it was refinished
by the factory, at some point. If you have a chance, pull the stocks and see what
is stamped on the grip straps. If you find an R inside diamond brackets, its
been refinished.

Still in all, if you like I-frame targets, this would probably be a good one to
start with, until you can find one in better condition.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[norville]

Thank you all for the info. I will add a pic when I gain possession of the gun.

thanks again,

bob

 

[Coug45]

I could be wrong (most often than not), but the SN reported is too early for a cataloged kit gun (1st in 1935), but matches up to around 1917. So, 1) a frame that sat around for 18 years or more (maybe), 2) a cut down 6" 22/32 (likliest), 3) a special order gun (that would be neat), 4) wrong SN, 5)???.

Just my 2 cents, and it won't even buy ya piece of gum.

 

[smith17]

2,4,3,5,1
Ed

 

[mikepriwer]

I think a factory letter would be in order.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[norville]

pics

 

[cgt4570]

Did you get any more info on this one yet? Was the barrel cut off, or is that the original length? (should be able to tell if the sight base is part of the barrel, or soldered back on) The grips are as you would find on a .32 or .38 Regulation Police. not a .22/32 Target. Does the grip frame have the 'step' that mates to the grips? Those grips are the correct vintage for the serial number you posted. (around 1917 or so)
If the barrel isn't cut off, does it's serial match the frame? If the grips are original to the gun, and the barrel is original, then you may very well have a custom order on your hands.

If everything appears unmolested, then a factory letter would be a must. Maybe even a call to Roy!

In any case, original factory parts, or someone's post-factory modification, it's a very neat gun. I would very glad to own it and would enjoy shooting it sparingly.

Just my observations and ramblings,
Chris

 

[Hendricks]

norville
My guess it is a 22/32 target that the barrel has been changed or cut. pre war kit guns ae in the 530000 serial # range. They have silver convex grip medalians. And the knob on the extractor rod is to early.
Here is a pic of a 1938 Kit Gun.

 

[norville]

Well , on the front grip strap area there is a star right after the S#. The barrel/ grip frame /cylinder have the same S#. The crane and yoke assy#'s match.

The barrel has not been shortened the front sight is a w.f. sheard brass bead style and it's pinned to the sight base.

The back grip frame has a step in it near the bottom. with the grips on the gun it gives the illution that he front grip strap is shorter than the rear.

Oh and it a round butt gun with square butt conversion grips??

Do we know a E. Troell AKA SLIM * he engraved bottom of these grips.

The medallions are brass or worn out silver but I'd say brass.


Under the grips on the frame 548 and B A


And the barrel say's 22 long rifle

There is no made in the USA on it.

bob

 

[cgt4570]

The star with the serial number on the grip frame signifies that it went back to the factory for repair of some kind. The 548 stamp under the grips probably means it was returned in May of '48. The 'B' usually means it was re-blued, but could possibly signify a barrel replacement. Not sure about the 'A'. Good chance it was for action work.
Sorry for so many conjectures, but there aren't a whole lot of definites with these.

Now, as to the grips and frame. That is a very strange combination. Yes, to answer you question, those are brass medallions. They were used basically pre-WW1. With your grip frame having the step, it is definitely not typical of .22/32 targets (Bekeart style). The normal .22/32 targets in that serial number range have standard 'I' frame grip frames without the step and use the extended 2-screw target grips.

Is the cylinder recessed for the .22 rims? In other words, does the rim of a cartridge sit on top of the cylinder, or does it fit flush in the machined recess? I can't quite tell from the picture if there is a gap for the heads between the cylinder and the recoil shield.

Added: The lack of 'Made in USA' is also typical of guns before around 1920 or so.

 

[norville]

Lots of good info thanks

The cylinder, that is something I was supposed to mention. It is not recessed.

bob

 

[Coug45]

IIRC, the standard extension grips were available for the date of the SN (~'17), and I once owned a 22/32 Target with non-target extension grips, though from the early '30s (can't recall the step or no). I suppose with the rework, it could be a replaced barrel (maybe even evidenced by the uneven bluing loss). But a letter would tell alot. I sure wouldn't kick it out of the safe for eatin' crakers though.

 

[norville]

Well folks, I ran a few rounds through the gun, great little shooter. At 20 paces I could keep them all in a golfball. If I work at it a better.(I'm a lousy shot

) The gun shoot's better than me and fit's nicely in my back pocket.

bob