Sm Sporter Oddball Serial Number

[45Broomhandle]

FINALLY! Obtained the elusive little SM Sporter from 1953. I've only found two articles of info on it: American Rifleman Dope Bag, Aug. 1963, and 1985 Gun Digest article on .22rf single-shot pistols.

Serial numbering was NOT in ascending numerical order, like most normal numbering systems. The first 50 guns were numbered 1 through 50. The numbering goes haywire from there, with no explanation why!

The second production run was numbered from 2000 to 2165. Third group were numbered 3000 to 3190. According to the '85 Gun Digest, that was the total known, as of the 1963 Dope Bag article.

Gun Digest also reported a find of a fourth group numbered 6000 to "a little over 6200." No definite number known. However, total production was either 400 or 600, no one can answer for sure.

Here's my dilema: my gun is serial number 3225. NOTE this number does NOT fit into any of the mentioned groups!

Does any reader know of any additional info on these guns that I could get hold of? I'm very curious to learn why this discrepancy in my serial number.

Below is one of their original 1953 ads to give you more info, if needed. Any help on this mystery would greatly appreciated. Picture of new baby is at bottom.

Best regards, ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

 

[Jim K]

For those who may not know, the S-M was a venture of Walter Harold Black Smith (the famous writer W.H.B. Smith) and Sidney(?) Manson.

I believe they used several different makers, which may account for the serial number problem.

Jim

 

[SDC]

Interesting; I'm looking at a picture of one of these that says it was built by the Richmond-Parke Company of Springfield, Mass (s/n 6168), but this pistol also has what appears to be a pan-head screw holding in the front of the trigger-guard.