No pics as yet as I want to take them during the day. Anyway bought what I think may be a Model 43. 22 4 inch bbl Aluminum(Alloy frame and cylinder) frame with adj sights. Actually in very good condition with some anodizing gone frome the frame here and there. line on the cylinder. Looks like a model 34. Serial is 55XX on the butt. No model munber on the gun. Oh and has a flat latch. Unfortunately there is a set of replacement stocks on it....although I may have a set of J frame diamond magnas...if that is what this one came with. Oh and it is a square butt. I know without pics it is not easy to identify it..but does this sound like a M-43 to anyone? What would be the approx. date of manufacture on a gun with that serial? Will try to do some pics tomorrow for y'all. Got it at a local auction where the guns kinda went high but I really scored on reloading presses buying 2 Hollywood Universals.
Well Today I had to buy a S&W
- Thread starter Skeet 028
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You are describing a "1955 .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight", a.k.a. a pre-model 43 or the model 43 prior to model number designation in 19557.
Your should date to circa 1954.
J-frame diamond Magna stocks would be correct.
Very nice.
Congratulations.
Your should date to circa 1954.
J-frame diamond Magna stocks would be correct.
Very nice.
Congratulations.
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This is a pre M43, probably shipped in 1954-55. Model numbers weren't introduced until 1957. It should have a 3 1/2" barrel.
I had one that shipped in June 1968 and it still had diamond Magnas.
I had one that shipped in June 1968 and it still had diamond Magnas.
Neat..I don't usually get good deals on Smiths. Is this pretty much ok to shoot with current 22 ammo. Being an Airweight I wasn't sure. I've been looking for a M-34 just to have and they go pretty darn high around here. At the gun show yesterday I akmost bought a Model 15-3 4 inch gun. In pretty good shape but he wanted 600 with Pachmayr grips on it. So I couldn't resist this gun today. Can I get an approximate value of a gun in about 90%...maybe a bit better?? Just for my info as I think I did really good on the Smith. Had a fellow already hit me up to buy the darn thing. And if I shouldn't shoot Hi Vel 22s in it will probably sell it. Still learning Smith & Wesson handguns.
You can shoot anything that will fit in it. It's likely your best accuracy (tightest groups) will be found with standard velocity ammunition----as is the case with most .22 caliber handguns.
Ralph Tremaine
Ralph Tremaine
Thanks for that info. Seems like a nice little handgun. Heck momma has just about glommed on to it. And yes 3 1/2 inch bbl. Light little thing but sure feels good. I also bought a neat little rifle today too. A Savage M-11 in 223. Threaded for a Suppressor and has a Steiner 2.5-8 x36 30 mm Z scope...whatever that might be. Don't think the rifle has ever been shot. I'm hoping to sell the Savage though as I got it cheap...and I have 'nuff 223s
Haven't had time to post any good pics of this little handgun but a couple of fair ones are better than none. haven't even cleaned it up. But I talked to the people who had the items at the auction and they said they had some blue boxes and a couple of sets of pistol grips so I am going to go see if they have the box etc for this little puppy. What are the odds do you think??
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Vulcan Bob
Member
Nice snag, I see why you said "had to buy" I agree. Have a look at those box's and grips as soon as possible! I bought a very nice birth year 1954 vintage K-38 at a local gun shop that had a set of franzite targets on it and a set of like new but not matching era correct magna's in the box. I asked the shop owner about it and he said he would check with the lady whom had sold him the guns and accessories. Well he did and she had a box with stocks and such and would bring it in. Well holy heck, she did and they were in the box and like new. Owner said I could keep the non matching stocks as well! So you never know, good luck!
I'm going to Look at what the family has left on Monday. Been busy with the Cody gun show this weekend(pretty fair so far but I buy too much junk). When I said I had to buy the gun... Even though a Smith..I was not enamored with it so much. But for 250 bucks..I just HAD to buy it!
One of the junk items I bought this weekend is a somewhat distressed 1886 Win lightweight rifle in 33 Winchester. Shootable but distressed. I just can't tell how little I paid for it. I am almost embarrassed to tell the truth.
One of the junk items I bought this weekend is a somewhat distressed 1886 Win lightweight rifle in 33 Winchester. Shootable but distressed. I just can't tell how little I paid for it. I am almost embarrassed to tell the truth.
