Yep, Missed Those...
You are correct, XavierBreath, I somehow missed that Post 51. Looking at it now though, it surely looks like the double-action 32 Hand Ejector Model of 1896. According to what I can find there were 19,712 of them built between 1896 and 1903.
Post 85 looks like a Model 44 Double-Action 1st Model, with 15,340 built between 1896 and 1916. According to the serial numbers on them, what do the S&W records say about the dates of manufacture of these two guns pictured?
According the the S&W factory letter I received from Roy Jinks, their Historian, the gun I pictured was built on the .38 Single-Action 3rd Model, made between 1891 and 1911. There were 26,850 of these frames made - and used for various purposes... including variations of these .22rf single-shots, and multi-caliber barrel sets.
S&Ws aside, one of my favorite oldies is this Fiala Model 1920 .22rf,
magazine-fed, single-shot, estimated only 9,000 guns made, but MOST had the stock attachment methond. THIS one is unique in that it has NO method for attaching the Fiala buttstock.
Due to manufacturing costs, and customers wanting the high-quality Fialas WITHOUT the extra barrels, fitted case, and buttstock, they were offered a CHEAPER version without this extra machining - for a very limited time. Fiala also eliminated the interchangeable barrels and furnished the gun only with a 7 1/2" barrel PINNED into the frame. No records as to number of these made, or still surviving. Mine pictured is only
reported survivor.
Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle
Yes, there IS a place for all of God's creatures: right next to the potatoes and gravy.
