S&W revolver ID help

[Technosavant]

OK, I have come into possession of a S&W .22LR revolver (double action). It is about a 5 inch or so barrel, with a 6 shot cylinder. There are no model number markings; simply "22 Long Rifle CTG" on the side of a barrel. It is blue steel, and is almost certainly mid-60s or earlier vintage. Grips are wood with the S&W medallion, and a 4 digit serial number stamped on the butt and on the breech end of the cylinder.

If anybody knows model this might be or where to find more info, I would be grateful. I know S&W might have the info, but I think they expect cash for a history.

 

[Brian Williams]

We need a few more details
the Serial number like so s1123xxx replace the last few with xxx's and include any and all letters. A Picture would help.

How many screws are on the side plate and is there one in front of the trigger guard.
Are the grips Diamond, that is do they have a diamond around the grip screw.

 

[P95Carry]

Same questions as Brian!

 

[Lone Star]

Swing out the cylinder and see if the model no. is stamped inside the upstanding part of the frame.

Measure that barrel, from the front of the cylinder. Tell us if the gun is made on their small or medium frame.

Or, just go get a good gun book and look it up. There are many, and THAT's where to start learning about firearms.

Lone Star

 

[Standing Wolf]

...4 digit serial number stamped on the butt and on the breech end of the cylinder.

The four-digit numbers aren't the serial number. Those were explained to me as "work" or "job" numbers used in the factory to make sure fitted, mated parts all end up in the same gun at the far end of the assembly line. Their presence suggests to me the gun is an older model, which is to say: the quality will probably be higher than a more recently manufactured gun.

The serial number is on the frame below the barrel and behind the crane, as well as the crane itself. It may include letters. There may be a model number with it; might not be, too.

How to count the screws: remove the right grip panel. Count the number of screws on the right side of the revolver, and look for an extra screw at the upper front of the trigger guard. Smith & Wesson double action revolvers can have three, four, or five screws.

If you ever remove the screws, put them in separate, labelled plastic bags: usually, no two are identical, although many often appear to be so.

 

[SnWnMe]

Your description suggests five models. The K22, the K22 Combat Masterpiece, the Kit Gun, the 22/32 and the 22 M&P.

If it's a K frame with target sights: 4"bbl, it's a K22 Combat Masterpiece. 6" = K 22 Masterpiece.
Fixed sights: 22 M&P aka Model 45

J frame: 4" = Kit Gun, 6" = 22/32

Edit: If there is no model number then it's earlier than 60s manufacture. S&W started numbers in '57

 

[Majic]

The only numbers stamped on the butt is the serial number.

 

[Technosavant]

Thanks for all the help.

I am 100% certain it is a K-22 (I looked up the model number and compared photos). However, I think the cylinder release (not sure if that is the exact name for the part) is not factory original. It looks like it has been replaced by a rectangular switch- it is simply serrated, not relieved so the thumb fits nicely like the usual S&W practice. Otherwise, it looks all original.

Edit: Found out the part name is "thumbpiece" as well as a place that sells it.

 

[Malamute]

The thumbpiece sounds like a "flatlatch" from a small "J" frame gun. It"s possible it's a "22-32 kit gun".

Take the grips off, does it have a flat mainspring or coil mainspring (hammer spring)?

 

[Technosavant]

4 Screws, coiled mainspring. 4" barrel. Target sights (adjustable rear, ramped front).

 

[Malamute]

It's an early, "flatlatch" J frame "kit gun".

Very excellent small game getter and plinker. Lighter to carry than the K frame. Perhaps does not have the extreme level of accuracy as the K-22 masterpieces, but an excellent gun.

 

[Technosavant]

Thanks. Guess the thumbpiece doesn't need replacing.

Were these things sold as kits and then assembled by the owner? Any other info?

I hate to pester you all with questions, but I do like to know the history of the guns in my possession. It makes shooting them that much nicer.

 

[Malamute]

I believe the "kit" title was that they were light handy guns that could be thrown in your "kit" (tackle box, bedroll, day pack, etc). Someone else may have more specifics on the name. They were not "kits" in the sense of not being assembled.

 

[Lone Star]

Malamute is correct.

The Kit Gun was introduced on the "I" frame in the 1930's. The change to the "J" frame on all small S&W revolvers took place in the early 1960's. The cylinder release/thumb piece was changed to the later style in the mid-1960's, as older parts were used up.

I suggest that you join at www.smith-wessonforum.com and ask for photos to be posted of Kit Guns of varying vintage. Some have appeared within the last week, in fact, and it is a superior forum, one of the finest on the Net, with a new format.

Lone Star
(I'm Texas Star on the S&W forum)

 

[Standing Wolf]

I hate to pester you all with questions, but I do like to know the history of the guns in my possession.

The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

There's probably more firearms expertise at the High Road than anywhere else in the world.

 

[Malamute]

I'm really learning a lot about Zombies and Zombie guns here. Been sort of fun.

 

[Model520Fan]

With a coiled mainspring and a 4-digit serial number, I believe that the J frame can be ruled out by about five years. I believe that you have a Model of 1953 .22/.32 Kit Gun on the improved I frame. Serial numbers went to five digits just before 1955.