Requesting help to identify. 22 LR

[elk1500]

Hello S&W guys
Long story short, the gun in which I have was passed down to me after my grandmother passed. For whatever reason, I'm just now getting curious as to its age and model. My mother thinks it could of possibly been my great grandfather's. Lots of internet searching led me to this forum and I made it as far as thinking it's pre WWII, but specifics would be awesome.

I will attach pictures.

Behind the cylinder, there is no model #, only the 5 digit production #.

 

[s&wchad]

That’s a .22/32 Kit Gun that dates from the mid 1950’s. When model were later assigned, it became the Model 34.

Nice little gun and a great family heirloom!

 

[gwpercle]

Kit guns are sweet ... DO NOT sell it !

They don't make them like that anymore and never will .
Go shooting and think of your Grandfather ...he would like that !
Gary

 

[elk1500]

Thank you both for the replies and insight. It is pretty awesome to have something passed down, and something that I would hope to pass down as well.

Shooting it last week, one of my "gun friends" was chuckling at it and called it something like pea shooter, that was until he saw it could hit 12x12 steel at 50 yards easily, all of a sudden he was asking if it was for sale. I said NOPE!!

 

[rwt1405]

Congratulations on getting such a great revolver "handed down" to you!

You have the right idea, as if that was mine it would not be sold.

Also, glad to hear that you have been shooting it, what a wonderful way to "connect" with relatives since gone.

Enjoy!

 

[Retired W4]

Beautiful Kit Gun. FYI, my SN: 7041 shipped Oct 1954.

Oh, and BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on such a beautiful family heirloom!

Actually, it's not a ".22/32 Kit Gun" (a .22 built on the .32 S&W Cartridge frame size) which is all steel, and did not become a Mod 34.

It is a ".22/32 Kit Gun Airweight" with an aluminum alloy frame and cyl, J size frame, and a 3 1/2" barrel instead of the 2" or 4" of the all steel Mod 34. It was introduced in 1955 and became the Model 43 in 1957.

This model started at serial #5000 in the ".22/32 Kit Gun" serial number range.

Based on the serial # it was most likely sold and shipped in the last half of 1955.

It's in exceptional condition.

 

[kscharlie]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on such a beautiful family heirloom!

Actually, it's not a ".22/32 Kit Gun" (a .22 built on the .32 S&W Cartridge frame size) which is all steel, and did not become a Mod 34.

It is a ".22/32 Kit Gun Airweight" with an aluminum alloy frame and cyl, J size frame, and a 3 1/2" barrel instead of the 2" or 4" of the all steel Mod 34. It was introduced in 1955 and became the Model 43 in 1957.

This model started at serial #5000 in the ".22/32 Kit Gun" serial number range.

Based on the serial # it was most likely sold and shipped in the last half of 1955.

It's in exceptional condition.

Jim, for those of us less knowledgeable, how were you able to determine that this gun was an Airweight? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.

Charlie

 

[JP@AK]

Jim, for those of us less knowledgeable, how were you able to determine that this gun was an Airweight? Inquiring minds want to know.

Charlie
I'm obviously not Jim. BUT - I scratched my head for a minute or two about this same question. I came up with my best guess, so here it is:

Jim spotted the barrel length immediately. That was probably his key clue.
Here is a 4" Kit Gun for comparison:

Now let's wait and see what he has to say. I, too, am curious.

 

[BC38]

The other clue may be the slight color variation between the barrel (the only major part made of steel) and the frame & cylinder (both of which are aluminum). It is very subtle, but if you're looking for it you can see it.

I have two of these and if you want a 22LR revolver to carry in the woods and such you'd be VERY hard pressed find a better one.

VERY light, and as the OP said, very accurate as well.

 

[Hondo44]

It's a J frame and the serial # is far too low to be a J frame Mod 34-1. The Airweight was introduced on the J frame, never made on the I frame. So that's the only Kit Gun it could be with such a low 5 digit #.

The darker blue frame and cyl anodizing was also a giveaway as well as the barrel length which clinched it.

 

[elk1500]

Wow, you guys are seriously knowledgeable. Thanks for all the replies. Shot it today at the inlaws farm, being a younger guy, it's so fun to think this 70 year old gun still goes bang and brings a smile to whomever gets to enjoy it.

 

[Hondo44]

Cool.

It’s been around a long time and when gun oil wasn’t steeped in chemistry like it is today. Give ‘er a bath with some gun cleaning CLP (Cleaner Lubricant Preservative) spray in all the openings, and let drain for an hour. Then wipe down.

 

[JP@AK]

Shot it today at the inlaws farm, being a younger guy, it's so fun to think this 70 year old gun still goes bang and brings a smile to whomever gets to enjoy it.

Yes. The Kit Guns are just a lot of fun to plink with or shoot grouse, or whatever.

70 year old gun still goes bang

This .32-20 Target Model left the factory in March, 1904. It "still goes bang" when you press the trigger too!