Major local auction/realestate outfit had a big gun auction yesterday. Didn't see much on the list that interested me, but since it was just down the road a ways I decided to go anyway. Found a little S&W .22 revolver that looked in pretty good shape so I bid on it and got it for $450. Picked it up at the pawnshop that does their transfers this afternoon, and when I got it home did a deep dive into my S&W reference books. Turned out to be a Model of 1953 22/32 Kit Gun likely made in 1955. (Pre-Model 34). In almost pristine condition. A little blue wear at the muzzle and a faint turn line. Tight as a bank vault, perfect bore, original numbered factory diamond Magna grips. Likely worth about three times what I paid for it. Almost too nice to carry around and shoot, but I'm gonna tote it anyway. Now I gotta get some fancy grips and leather for it.

I guess I'm a hopeless romantic when it comes to old S&Ws. (Sorry, no pics yet)

Catoosa (with a big grin on my ugly mug)

You did good , back in the 70s my good friend Roger Loper and I would each buy a brick of wildcats for 5bucks and shoot them every Saturday it was fun.I have 2 model 34, A 4in and a 17/8in and a model 63 stainless , all fine shooters I am looking for the .22mag model I think it's # is 650? At this age I think I better start shooting them more .

Sounds like a daisy! Looking forward to pictures.

I am the same way, old guns are the best guns as far as I'm concerned. A lot of the guns I have are actually from the 1950s or earlier. Every time I look at one, I always think to myself, man, if this thing could talk, the stories it would tell. You don't get that with a gun that you get new out of the box.

You're right - the older guns have "character" that you mostly just have to wonder about. Another reason I like the older guns is that they usually show much finer workmanship. The Colts and Smiths from the late 1940s through the 1950s represent the golden age of American firearms manufacturing.