What do I have??? (pre 34)

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weeha1966

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First off, I am a newbie. I have just picked up a S&W .22revolver J-frame. The dealer said it is a pre 63. I have never heard of one. It is a six shot blued. Number on the grip frame is 20916. Number on the cylinder frame is 74597. No dashes in any of the numbers. Thanks for any info.
 
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Welcome to the forum.

I think your dealer confused two different model numbers. Your gun sounds like a .22/32 Kit Gun Model of 1953. This became the model 34 in 1957. The serial number 20916 (the other one is a temporary assembly number that you can ignore) points to manufacture in 1956 or so. That means your gun would be identified casually as a Pre-34.

In 1977 the company introduced a Model 63 that was essentially the same gun in stainless steel. But there was never a Pre-63 because stainless guns were not introduced until long after model numbers had been adopted.
 
Welcome to the forum.
A 63 is a stainless steel revolver and I don't think there is a "pre" 63. What's the barrel length? Adjustable sights?
Pictures would really help.
 
It sounds like you have a pre-model 34 22/32 kit gun that was shipped around 1955 by the serial number. The number on the bottom of the grip frame (20916) is the serial number on S&W's too. That said; welcome to the forum.

The model 63 never had a pre-model number variant as they are stainless steel and began shipping around 1977. The Model 63 is a 22/32 kit gun basically, just a SS variant.
 
Thanks for the replies. It has a 4" barrel, adjustable sights. The blueing is wore a little on the end of the barrel and a faint cylinder ring. Other than that is is in excellent shape. I paid $650. Is it worth that?
 
weeha1966 said:
Thanks for the replies. It has a 4" barrel, adjustable sights. The blueing is wore a little on the end of the barrel and a faint cylinder ring. Other than that is is in excellent shape. I paid $650. Is it worth that?
Click to expand...

.22/32 Kit Guns are in demand. Specimens of the Model of 1953 are not as dear as the prewar and postwar transitional KGs, which are rarely seen, but can still cost a fair amount. My judgment is that at $650 your gun is probably toward the top end of a reasonable value range in today's market, but you didn't overpay. In two or three years that price will probably look like a bargain.

Please post pics when you can. There are lots of fans of the prewar and postwar I-frames (and inheritor J-frames) on this forum.
 
Great find! The only thing I can add is that you actually have something more desireable and about 5 years earlier than a J frame Kit Gun Model 34 which wasn't introduced until 1961; you have a Model of 1953 I frame (pre model 34).

Yes, it has the J frame size grip and the egg shape trigger guard but the short I frame and cylinder.

This is a comparison of an Model of 1953 "I-Frame" Kit Gun , and a Model 63 "J-Frame" Kit Gun (stainless version). Note the differences in frame and cylinder length, and the space in front of the trigger guard:

KitGunsCompared003.jpg
 
I learn something new every day. It sure is an I-frame. Thanks a lot. I just ordered a smith & wesson book so hopefully I will be a little more knowledgeable.
 
Sorry it took so long to post pics. It took me awhile to figure out how to do it! Does anyone know if grips for a J-frame will work on this gun? The grips on it are plastic. I would like to have a nice set for it.
 

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weeha1966 said:
Sorry it took so long to post pics. It took me awhile to figure out how to do it! Does anyone know if grips for a J-frame will work on this gun? The grips on it are plastic. I would like to have a nice set for it.
Click to expand...

You have a 'screamer'!
Yes, you have the last version of the I frame, the Model of 1953, which has the large egg shaped trigger guard and J frame size gripframe. So all J frame stocks will fit. You need the ones with the diamond around the screw holes to be period correct. The factory J frame target stocks also fit, but none were made with diamonds.
 
Thanks a million. I just looked on Smith and Wesson website. They have new sets that look good. Thinking about getting them.
 
I see the only sq butt J frame stocks are made from that cheap looking dymond wood. The classics are gorgious and have the diamond but not made in the Sq butt. You could find nice originals for that price.

Have you checked GunBroker and E-bay?
 
This is what I found on the Smith website:

J/E Rd Bt Walnut Checkered Heritage Classic Grip w/S&W Medallion

SKU: 410790000

It is in the store under service grips. It looks like they are wood.

-Mike
 
weeha1966 said:
This is what I found on the Smith website:

J/E Rd Bt Walnut Checkered Heritage Classic Grip w/S&W Medallion

SKU: 410790000

It is in the store under service grips. It looks like they are wood.

-Mike
Click to expand...

Yes, those are the gorgeous ones I was referring to and they're only made in round butt. However your gun looks like a sq butt unless those plastic grips on it are covering up a rd butt grip frame. In that case, the Rd butt classics are an excellent choice if you're not concerned about being period correct.
 
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