|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,468
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,468 |
Ask over at the S&W forum. I believe that they had a coil spring instead of the y or v shaped spring. Model numbers started in 1957. Flat latch was in the 50's.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920 |
..thanks so much.... However... "In May of 1960, the .22/32 Model 51 Rim-fire Magnum Kit Gun was introduced, chambered for the .22 Winchester Rimfire Magnum. The 51 was S&W’s initial entry into .22 magnum Kit Gun production and began with serial number 52,637. These were made only on the J-frame and 4” barrels, produced until 1974." 51s had a 3.5" barrel like the 43.... I've owned most of the models mentioned... The only ones I have left are a 63 with an extra .22 Magnum cylinder and a Model 35 also with an extra Magnum cylinder...unless you also want to count the 317....the UltraLite Kit Gun... Bob
If you can not deal with reality, reality will deal with you....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920 |
I'm having trouble telling the improved I frame from the early J frame.
Someone who knows, tell me what I need to know.
DF I believe it said in the article that when the switch to the J-frame was made the serial number changed to a "M" prefix... Bob
If you can not deal with reality, reality will deal with you....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,455
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,455 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,694
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,694 |
Conduct is the best proof of character.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,032
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,032 |
about 15 yrs ago i had a hobson’s choice of sorts between a NOS model 18 and a NOS model 34 with 4” barrel. i went with the model 18, which i still have. the model 34 went with my uncle. fast forward a couple of years and the uncle died of a rare disease, his evil 2nd wife was administrator of the estate and shut the rest of the family out, and ta daa that 34 is gone forever.
now for some reason smith only makes J frame .22s with a 3” barrel.
Uber Demanding Rifle Aficionado
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100 |
I'm having trouble telling the improved I frame from the early J frame.
Someone who knows, tell me what I need to know.
DF I believe it said in the article that when the switch to the J-frame was made the serial number changed to a "M" prefix... Bob MIne has a pre-M serial number, but has the coil spring and flat latch. Number is 98xxx. I'd guess late 50's, early '60's or around there somewhere. Not sure when they dropped the flat latch. DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,059
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,059 |
That S/N puts it in 1956. But even the SCoS&W says J frame dates are approximate. The thumbpiece was changed in '66. The M prefix began in '69.
There is nothing made by man, which cannot be broken by woman.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100 |
That S/N puts it in 1956. But even the SCoS&W says J frame dates are approximate. The thumbpiece was changed in '66. The M prefix began in '69. Thanks. Good info. DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,903
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,903 |
I'm having trouble telling the improved I frame from the early J frame.
Someone who knows, tell me what I need to know.
DF An easy way to tell is to look at the curve between the forward trigger guard and the yoke. On the I frame, the curve is a short radius, whereas the J frame has a bit more length (towards front of the gun) to it. May be hard to envision, but once you have an I and a J side by side, it's easy to tell; then you'll never forget!
Ken
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100 |
Thanks.
Does that frame radius difference persist even with those transitional I frames?
DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,593
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,593 |
I've probably never held an I frame in my hand.
I assumed that there was a noticeable difference in frame size.
Was I mistaken? Again?
"Chances Will Be Taken"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,153
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,153 |
EdM, I really dig the Roper-style stocks on your I-frame!
Never found a Smith with those but I do have an I-J "Supershot Sealed 8" .22 with grips of the same profile. They were justly popular for target shooting back in the '20, '30s and '40s. And people who used a .22 revolver for subsistence hunting liked them too--good for hitting a grouse or ptarmigan head.
Was Mike Armstrong. Got logged off; couldn't log back on. RE-registered my old call sign, Mesa. FNG. Again. Mike Armstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,694
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,694 |
EdM, I really dig the Roper-style stocks on your I-frame!
Never found a Smith with those but I do have an I-J "Supershot Sealed 8" .22 with grips of the same profile. They were justly popular for target shooting back in the '20, '30s and '40s. And people who used a .22 revolver for subsistence hunting liked them too--good for hitting a grouse or ptarmigan head. Thanks. The grips are properly penciled and factory numbered to the gun. The piece is runs with my M41 in the accuracy department.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100 |
Thanks for posting. That's neat.
DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,059
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,059 |
Differentiating I from J frame:
I Frame - 5 screw frame, short cylinder (1.25- 1.26), strain screw on frame
Improved I Fame - 4 or 3 screw frame, short cylinder, no strain screw
J Frame - 5, 4 or 3 screw frame, longer cylinder (1.525), no strain screw
The new design hammer block was instituted in post war production at S/N 536685.
There is nothing made by man, which cannot be broken by woman.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100 |
Differentiating I from J frame:
I Frame - 5 screw frame, short cylinder (1.25- 1.26), strain screw on frame
Improved I Fame - 4 or 3 screw frame, short cylinder, no strain screw
J Frame - 5, 4 or 3 screw frame, longer cylinder (1.525), no strain screw
The new design hammer block was instituted in post war production at S/N 536685. Thanks for that info. What's a "strain screw"? DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,971
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,971 |
If you can find a 631 S&W. = 32 H&R mag / 32 Long... in stainless 4” they are really nice.
I love mine.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,100 |
Differentiating I from J frame:
I Frame - 5 screw frame, short cylinder (1.25- 1.26), strain screw on frame
Improved I Fame - 4 or 3 screw frame, short cylinder, no strain screw
J Frame - 5, 4 or 3 screw frame, longer cylinder (1.525), no strain screw
The new design hammer block was instituted in post war production at S/N 536685. Thanks for that info. What's a "strain screw"? DF OK, looked it up. Strain screw is the adjustment screw for leaf hammer spring Smiths. Coil spring guns don’t need one. DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,903
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,903 |
If you can find a 631 S&W. = 32 H&R mag / 32 Long... in stainless 4” they are really nice.
I love mine.
Me too!
Ken
|
|
|
|
554 members (1234, 10gaugeman, 153, 160user, 10Glocks, 51 invisible),
2,363
guests, and
1,253
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,530
Posts18,472,708
Members73,939
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|