Younger Cousin to bdGreen's Pre-35, Some Similarities

[InTheWoods]

I have a poorer, sightly younger cousin to bdGreens absolutely wonderful "EyeWorm" posted a couple of days ago. I bought mine almost 20 years ago at a gun show, with the intent of using it as a hunting, plinking revolver (before my recent attempts at real collecting). It has some aftermarket changes similiar to bdGreens great gun, but none of the work has documentation of any kind and I doubt that it was done after the sale at the factory.

My pre-35, serial number 23644, was shipped in November 1956 to Cook Sporting Goods in Albuquerque, New Mexico in factory stock form (about a year after bdGreen's). When I bought it, the rear sight was white outlined, the front sight was replaced with a red ramp on a sight ramp identical to the one on a Model 34 (certainly not as wonderful as the gold bead on bdGreen's), and the stocks replaced with targets that someone checkered. The stocks are wonderfully finished (oil, I believe). The overall package is nice.

You will note that the front sight pin is proud, but perfectly finished. The work all looks very professional. In my case, this work (without any documentation) diminishes the revolvers package, unlike bdGreen's super firearm.

I still enjoy it greatly and will probably shoot it tomorrow, just for kicks! Oh, BTW, photograhy skills stink compared to bdGreens

 

[bdGreen]

That is a wonderful specimen of a fine shooting piece of Smith and Wesson machinery.

I like it.

The stocks are actually quite appealing.

Not many seen with the ramp front sight and red insert. Looks good.

Thanx for the nice comments on mine.

bdGreen

 

[zipty6]

Is there a good thread here that lays out the changes in this model?

I acquired this one not too long ago. It was listed as a Model 35, but is clearly earlier. I believe the front sight is aftermarket or altered. It also has two pins at the top of the frame where the firing pin is mounted.

I cataloged it as a "Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun," but it seems that "Pre-35" may be more appropriate.

 

[Retired W4]

...The work all looks very professional...

Very professional, indeed.

 

[Model19man]

Is there a good thread here that lays out the changes in this model?
I cataloged it as a "Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun," but it seems that "Pre-35" may be more appropriate.

That's not what Smith & Wesson called it. It's not a Model 35. And no, it's not a Pre - anything. It's a great example of what Smith was making back then.