I figured it couldn't be much more collectible than the vintage Smiths I already had, but I thought wrong. This is a 1953 vintage Model 22/32 Kit gun in 22 LR, later renamed the Model 34 in 1957. This particular version is also known as the 22/32 Kit gun of Model 1953, because that was the year that Smith made a lot of changes.
Another interesting thing is that this vintage came in a red box, not the later blue box. (These red boxes sell for $100, now.)
This is actually an I frame gun, which is slightly smaller than a J frame that was used when Smith later changed it to the Model 34. Hard to get a feel for the size from the pic, so here's the 22/32 compared to my larger K frame Model 17-3 in 22 LR with the full target grips.
Since I already have a 90s vintage Model 63, the stainless version, why buy this 22/32 with the 4" barrel? That 4" barrel is why, not to mention the 22/32 being a much more collectible vintage. My 63 has a 2" barrel and while great to pack, the shorter barrel makes it tougher to shoot. It's also a bit louder than I like, nor do I like the balance. Besides, it's the 4" barrel that made the S&W Kit gun famous for its accuracy.
And this one does shoot very well. Took it out in the yard and shot it with Colibri and CB Shorts to test for function. The Colibri were just to test function, but the CB Shorts all stayed in the black at 16 yards, shooting offhand without any sight adjustment. Very easy to shoot. This would make an excellent small game revolver. Not bad for a first test.
We are old friends. I still shoot them (though not as much as I used to,) and we get along, arthritis and all. 