Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Help with a S&W revolver model number.

Gents,

I have an older S&W 22lr revolver. It doesn't have a model number on it I can see. Left side of the gun's barrel has "SMITH & WESSON"; the right side has "22 LONG RIFLE CTG" this is framed with some funky looking symbols. What does CTG mean?

The left side of the action has the S&W trade mark. The right side has:
"MADE IN USA.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS."

Serial number is 216XX.

On the frame and exposed only when the cylinder is open is the number 75666.

She is worn a bit, the cylinder is a little loose, but fires fine.

Any and all information is greatly welcomed.

Many thanks!!

CTG stands for cartridge; you most likely have a K22, made prior to the mid-1950s when the K22's were renumbered as the Models 17 and 18, depending on barrel length.

"CTG" means cartridge.

Is there a website I can look-up S&W information? Year made?

Again, many thanks!

Hello George
The Guns serial number will be on the bottom of the grip frame. If it is a K-22 it will have a K-Prefix before the serial number as all Post-War K-22's had this K-Prefix and with yours having the Four Line address stamped on it's frame as you indicated, it will certainly be a Post-War Model. Given the serial number has a K-Prefix in front of it, according to my information, and with the Partial serial number you provided yours dates 1954-K-210096--K--231255. I hope this helps, Thegeneral.

smith-wessonforum.com

lots of helpful people there. Pics help.

Thanks for you help, BUT, my little smith doesn't have a K-prefix. What does that mean? There are NO letters on the bottom of the grip frame ... Just 2166X

Again many thanks

Guys, this easily could be a J frame 22/32 kit gun...if so, it may be a model 34.

I think it's an I frame 22/32, made before 1960 when they changed to J frame revolvers for 22 calibers. All the J frame pistols are stamped with model numbers, this one apparently isn't.

Does it have a top side plate screw? That's the on near the top of the backstrap. It probably does not, which means it was made after 1953. Smith started giving them model numbers in 1957.

This, as best as I can tell, is from Roy Jinks' book on the History.

The I frame is the smallest frame revolvers ordinarily seen, except for the rare Ladysmith series. They were at 11,000 in 1953, so that narrows the year down somewhat. As indicated above, Smith started printing the frame number on handguns after 57.

When you say the cylinder is "loose," does that mean side-to-side loose, or bach and forth loose?

I frame 22s are pretty collectible and not seen much.

Any chance at a picture? If it is what became later referred to as a K-frame, it's likely a Pre-war Outdoorsman.

I'll try and get some pics tonite and post them. From my understanding (as limited as it is), it cannot be pre-war since it has the 4-line blurb on the right hand side of the action.

Take pictures of both sides.

The Outdoorsman was a K22 and so marked.

Eyup, I just know it. Avagadro is gonna fall into a nice ol' kit gun by accident and I'm going to have to beat me head on something.

Man, I hate when that doesn't happen to me...

That's what I'm thinking. He's one lucky dude though. Not sure if it's clean living or just plain old luck.

The Model 34s were marked as such, and he says his isn't marked as a model. Also, I think the serial number given is too low for a kit gun.

Hello
They did not start Model stamping any revolvers until after 1957. The 22-32 Target revolver goes back to the early 1920's in time so the lower serial number may indicate his is an original Bekeart gun. If it is, it will have the guns serial number stamped on the front strap of the grip frame...Thegeneral.

The 22/32 does go back to the times you indicated, but in an I frame gun. S&W changed from an I-frame 22/32 to a J-frame 22/32 in 1960 starting at Ser # 70,000. So if it's got the number he listed, it's an I frame.

Hello Gene
I said it was an I Frame. Look Up a couple of posts before this one where I explained that this may be an I Frame Early Bekeart Model target revolver...Thegeneral.

I Frame, J Frame...how many angels can sit on the head of a pin? Whatever it turns out to be, it's a real find, methinks! Congrats and way to go!