Vintage 4 screw Hand Ejector?

[Jon930]

Help Verify Identity?
No model number on yoke.
Type: Hand Ejector.
Serial #: 132XX.
Caliber: 22 LR.
Barrel length: 4".
Sights: Post war adjustable.
Side plate screws:4. (upper side plate screw, Yes. Screw in front of trigger guard, No.

I would say this revolver has seen very little use. The barrel looks new inside. Blueing shows very little wear however it is not bright and shiny. I would describe it as "on the dull side" when compared to my Md 15-2, .38 Special "Combat Masterpiece, Serial # K5768XX.

The photos have been attached.
Thanks
Jon930

 

[Engine49guy]

Sounds like a J frame ?
Does it have a coil mainspring?

 

[Jon930]

Thank you @Engine49guy. I am hoping to avoid removing the grips. I just uploaded few pictures, Please let me know if they are helpful.

 

[Engine49guy]

Not my area of expertise but it's definately a 4" round butt kit gun from the 50's, notice there are two proud pins in the frame beneath the rear site, the trigger guard has the newer egg shape but the frame length is short ahead of the trigger guard so it may not actually techically be a "J frame" but more of a late "I" frame, there are members that will provide way more info soon but I just wanted to see if my observations are way off....isn't this fun?

 

[Engine49guy]

Ps that style flat latch is probably the 2nd of the 3 or 4 recognized variations too.

Btw the satin finish was std until around 1954-55 so I'm betting its around the 53-54 era.

 

[JP@AK]

It is a .22/32 Kit Gun Model of 1953. It probably left the factory in 1954, possibly 1955. It was built on the New I frame (Model of 1953). Common 4" barrel and round butt, but very much a nice find.

My wife and I own several Kit Guns with both of the barrel lengths. We love them. Yours is very nice and I'd bet you fall in love with it too.

 

[boykinlp]

Help Verify Identity?
No model number on yoke.
Type: Hand Ejector.
Serial #: 132XX.
Caliber: 22 LR.
Barrel length: 4".
Sights: Post war adjustable.
Side plate screws:4. (upper side plate screw, Yes. Screw in front of trigger guard, No.

I would say this revolver has seen very little use. The barrel looks new inside. Blueing shows very little wear however it is not bright and shiny. I would describe it as "on the dull side" when compared to my Md 15-2, .38 Special "Combat Masterpiece, Serial # K5768XX.

The photos have been attached.
Thanks
Jon930

Jon, I’ve never had a Kit Gun or even seen one in the wild for that matter. The bluing on it is correct for that time period, and is supposed to be “on the dull side”. It is a satin finish, and not the bright blue of earlier and later time periods that you may be more familiar with. I know the I Frame revolvers are really small.
Larry

 

[Jon930]

Thanks everyone for your input on this revolver. I didn't ask but I'm curious concerning the value. My collection is insured and I will add this Kit Gun to the inventory. My Insurance Co covers on "Agreed Value". This revolver was part of an inheritance. Let's see how I do..... I would guess value at somewhere between $700 -$1,000? am I close?
Thanks Again
Jon

 

[rct269]

I frame S&W revolvers are NOT "small"----they're delicate!!

Regular everyday stuff can be large or small, or big or little, if you prefer; but S&W revolvers have more class------style, if you prefer!

So it is written!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[rct269]

So----insurance---now that you mention it. I've got nothing against insurance, quite the opposite, but there's good, and not so good.

Guns insured on your Homeowners contract come under the heading of "not so good"------convenient, quick and dirty, yes-----but not so good.

It's been a while, but my best recollection is the good stuff comes from some folks you can find if you ask Google about "collect insure" or some such. Let me know if that doesn't work, and I'll do some more recollecting.

These folks are an independent insurance agency, Maryland comes to mind, but it doesn't make any difference. They represent several different insurance companies, and they specialize in insuring collections-----of anything. You name it, and they'll cover it!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[alwslate]

I have a 2" RB with a high four digit serial number, 98xx as I recall without the gun in hand. It is a new I frame I believe with a coil mainspring and J frame size grips. Finish is a matte blue, love it.

 

[rct269]

"I am hoping to avoid removing the grips"-------don't hope that!

Hope there's no corrosion underneath the grips! To have a look-see, loosen the grip screw a few/several turns (but don't remove it) and then tap (TAP, don't MASH) on the head of the screw with the butt end of your screwdriver----tap-tap-tap. The off side grip panel will come loose.

Now let's talk about the 50-75 years worth of crud that's underneath the sideplate----guarandamnteed!! If you're not comfortable with learning new things, take it to a gunsmith, and tell him it needs a GOOD bath. Otherwise, get the S&W Shop Manual written by somebody who's name starts with a K---near as I recall, and do like it says to do. I had a copy, but have given it away---without even opening it. (It seems like 60 some-odd years of fooling with these things taught me everything I needed to know----but I'll guarantee you he tells you about things I never did.) A less complicated (and less complete) substitute is/are pretty much any of the several books written by Dave Chicoine-----a long time/big time gunsmith who's been there and done that!! (My choice would be Antique Firearms- Disassenbly/Reassembly, but I don't recall if he treats with these "delicate" models or not.) Look first, then buy.

Ralph Tremaine

Another thing: There's NOTHING in a spray can that'll give it a good bath. Good baths come with taking it all apart, and then soaking/scrubbing each and every piece!! There are NO substitutes!!