Rescue Smith and Wesson

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Texas10mm

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Hit one of the larger pawn shops today and found a S&W 35 revolver. It looks like it has the mange. Lots of rust. The bore and chambers are clean. SA trigger pull is less than 3 lbs with no take up and no creep.

I'm going to clean it up before I post any pics.

I posted in the S&W serial number thread. I'd like to get an idea of how old it is. Five digit serial number.

If you don't know what it is then I'll tell ya. J frame .22 LR with 6" barrel and adjustable sights. Other than the scabs it's the cutest little thing I've seen in a long time.
 
Actually the Model 35 is call the Improved I Frame. Considered the 22/32 Kit Guns. They are highly sought after guns. The book gives values from $450 in fair condition to $950 excellent and $1200 NIB. Your gun was probably shipped around 1957. That's the first year they started stamping the models on the guns and according to the S&W Catalog 4th edition, serial number 52673 was shipped in 1959. So I would think yours would be 1957 or 1958. I'm betting you got it cheap and that would make it a steal of a deal. Hopefully the rust comes off and it doesn't have a lot of pitting. Either way, it is something you can have a lot of fun with. I've always been amazed at the accuracy of Smith .22 Revolvers.
 
Actually, this neat little gun started out in 1953 as the "Model of 1953 .22/32 Target". As indicated previously, it was built on the improved I frame. In 1957, S&W changed their revolvers from names to model numbers, and this became the "Model 35". In 1960, the gun was again changed to the slightly larger J frame, and was stamped with Mod 35-1 on the yoke frame, and began with serial # 70000. Beginning in 1969, the serial numbers were changed to using an M prefix.

So, if you have a model marked 35 with a 5-digit serial number, it could have been made anytime between 1957 and 1960 (model 35 no-dash) or between 1960 and 1969 (model 35-1). If it is not model marked, it would have been made between 1953 and 1957. This model was discontinued in 1973.
 
The model is marked. I got it for $270.

I'll get started cleaning the case rash off in the next week and get some pictures up.

I did shoot it today with some Agulia SV ammo and it is very accurate. The SA trigger pull is dangerous. Don't even think of cocking it unless it's pointed down range and you're ready to fire. As soon as your finger starts the pull it will go off.
 
The model is marked. I got it for $270.

I'll get started cleaning the case rash off in the next week and get some pictures up.

I did shoot it today with some Agulia SV ammo and it is very accurate. The SA trigger pull is dangerous. Don't even think of cocking it unless it's pointed down range and you're ready to fire. As soon as your finger starts the pull it will go off.

I'm already jealous. I love a good rescue! Post some before and after pictures.
 
35.11.jpg 35.12.jpg 35.13.jpg

It took me a LOT of Ed's Red and a Big 45 scrub pad to get it cleaned up. If I had to guess I'd say that someone inherited it and left it sitting in a pistol case. There's enough wear on the internal part of the hammer to show it's been shot some and the screw under the grip had a buggered up head so the side plate has been removed before.
 
I'd take that beauty to a gunsmith and have it glass bead blued. It will get the pitting out and save a good bit of the stampings. It will then be protected from the elements and you will have a shooter that will last forever. I think the rust and pitting will forbid a real glossy reblue. It can be done but all the buffing will remove all the stampings. Or you can clean it best you can and just have a great shooter with a lot of character as I call it. Either way, I'm still jealous. You have a very desireable gun that will give you many hours of pleasure and didn't break the bank. I have a 1954 Colt that has less than 15% of the blue left and it is butt ugly and I got it much like you did from a pawn shop for around $300. I've probably put over 1k rounds through it in the last few years and is one of my favorites and most accurate guns. They don't have to be pretty to enjoy.
 
I just got a S&W 34-1 about 4 days ago & it doesn't look like it was ever fired. Reason I mention this is I have never owned
a S&W 22 caliber until now and it has landed in the wrong place to go unfired. Like Eddietruett said I love a good rescue job,
I have a knack for buying old stuff that needs help & there is satisfaction to removing years of neglect like one I S&W I bought
that had been loaded & somehow left cocked since 1985 or 86. Replacing the insides is easy for us guys but a pitted finish
needs pro help. At the price you got it for it is worth a pro job.
 
Very nice find! Regarding the SA trigger, have you tried pushing the hammer with it cocked to see if it stays put. I personally have seen 2 S&W's that had to have the sear notch recut, they slipped out when you gave the hammer a push, and they came fresh out of the box that way, they were not "bubba'd.
 
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Texas10mm

Well it's certainly a bit "cosmetically challenged" but it's such a nice find that if it were mine I would have it bead blasted then given a matte blue finish.
 
Very nice find! Regarding the SA trigger, have you tried pushing the hammer with it cocked to see if it stays put. I personally have seen 2 S&W's that had to have the sear notch recut, they slipped out when you gave the hammer a push, and they came fresh out of the box that way, they were not "bubba'd.

I've done that test and it's fine.
 
I've done that test and it's fine.
That's great to hear. I saw a model 34 in a local store a few years back much more cosmetically challenged than yours for significantly more money. I agree with Bannockburn, it would look good with a matte blue finish but from the photos it really doesn't look bad as is.
 
I think you did a great job cleaning it up and I personally wouldn't dream of exchanging 60 years of character for a matte blue or any other modern finish. Keep it oiled so the rust doesn't try to come back and shoot that beauty.
 
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