Anyone any good at dating S&W revolvers?

[NeveSSL]

Hi all!

I had signed up at an S&W forum, but I've been waiting on "approval" for several days. So I figured I'd ask you guys.

Here are some pics (these are clickable thumbnails):

Serial: 203XX

Right barrel: "22 LONG RIFLE CTG"

Left barrel: "Smith & Wesson"

Any ideas or advice on how to date this gun and get a general idea of value would be great.

Thanks!

Brandon

[Guest canynracer]

buy it dinner??? sorry, had to do it...I am sure some of the dealers on the board will be able to help...The Rabbi is exceptional when it comes to wheel guns

[NeveSSL]

I tried that... she didn't like Long John Silvers.

Brandon

[Mike.357]

GMTA, first thing through my mind was how I had no luck getting a S&W to put out, LOL Having had much better luck getting some off of a Ruger.

And yep see the Rabbi, or maybe S&W's website.

[VERO1]

If you open the cylinder and look on the crane, is there a number stamped there? Most likely 34. Does the serial number have a letter prefix? All these will help narrow down the year and value for you.

[NeveSSL]

Thanks, man. There is a number. 74625 with something that resembles half of an R above that... the right half, to be exact. Below it there is a single 4. There is not a letter or anything before the serial. There's also not a model number that I can find.

Thanks!

Brandon

PS I'm from White Pine... its cool to see you on here.

[VERO1]

I am definitely not the expert, but if I am reading the book right, it is somewhere between 1955-1959. The model I think is 1953 .22/32 kit gun. Value I am guessing in the $300-$350 range. Don't go on my word alone though. Like I said, I am not the expert. I am sure someone more knowledgable than me will jump in. If they don't I'll post this on the S&W forum for you. Usually it does take a day or so to get signed on. Did you check your mailguard/spam filters? Sometimes they will boot out your confirmation email.

[Guest looneeetunes]

if it is a kit gun i have seen them go for more (2 inch barrels) like around 500.00. i havent seen the longer barrels, but i know they made them. i was looking for a kit gun for my wife, but it was hard for me to pay that for a 22. also from what i have seen i would think the date was somewhere in there also (noticing the flat latch) no expert here either by the way.

[NeveSSL]

Yep... every time I try to log in, it says "access denied... your account is awaiting approval". Its been that way for like 4 days now.

Brandon

[NeveSSL]

Forgive my ignorance... was it literally sold as a kit? Or does kit mean something else?

Brandon

[The Rabbi]

Aha. A 32/22 kit gun. Means a .22 cal built on a .32 cal frame. Called a kit gun because it was small enough to stow in your kit when you went fishing, etc. 1950s sounds about right. Check Gunbroker for pricing. I had one in the shop that went for 300-something I think.

[NeveSSL]

Nice.

Thanks Rabbi!

This thing is a great little gun to shoot...

Brandon

[Guest Shooting Coach]

The best way to date a Smith is to promise to feed it good ammo, not let it rust, and give it loooong cleaning sessions with quality gun oil. LOL

With the serial no. you gave, which should also be on the breech end of the cylinder, it is an old gun, probably early 50's and a keeper. Not sufficient for self defense, but great for cheap trigger and front sight time.

[graycrait]

http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58619