K-22 W/ Gold Box Circa 1951

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There is a gun shop near my home that I haven't visited for several years due to a past incident. A friend and owner of another gun shop told me that I "really should stop in an take a look at the used Smith's there. They have a gold box K-22."

I didn't stop in for over a week, then though this is stupid. Let 's see what is in the case. Several model 10's, a .38 S&W breaktop in nickel, a model 66, a model 686, a model 617-1 and a K-22 post war model in its original gold two piece box.

A quick examination revealed the K-22 to be super clean with around 90-93% of the original satin blue, a fair drag ring and nice Magna stocks. The box is about 85% -maybe a bit better.
Asked for his 'best price' and when I got the answer the old credit card went flying out of the wallet! $585 out the door.

Check it out.
K22-Box.jpg

K22-box-cyl.jpg
 
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Wow, super find! The Box alone is worth a couple hundred, dont know if those are selling prices though.

Nice gun
 
You got a great deal on a great Smith! You bought the gun and got the box free! I've seen the box in like condition sell for $100-$125. With a little searching you can find the brochure, vapor paper, and tools to go with it. Congrats!
 
Well, I just have to double up on what everybody else said: great gun, fine price, good score. Congratulations.

But I think you left an X out of your serial number label. In 1951 the company was into a K plus six digits.
 
Very nice score !
As David pointed out you either left a digit off or have an earlier gun.
If the serial is correct it could be a 1948 gun.

On a side note if the 617-1 was a 4" barrel and you dont want it perhaps you can share the info with our members?

I noticed several people eager to pick one up for sale on the forum this morning.

Congrats Again ! .....now you just need a 5 screw .22 Heavy Masterpiece and a .22 Combat Masterpiece to complete the set.

Then all of them in .38 special too...and a Combat Magnum...and a 5 screw N frame 357 and.......
 
Thanks for all the positive comments! I hate putting guns on plastic, however I'm not going to pass up an opportunity to snag a 60 year old S&W with box.

As for the serial number- I left an "X" off. (can't slide anything past the hawk eyes on this forum!!) It is definitely a 1951 gun according to the SC of S&W. (damn book keeps costing me!!)

The best thing about snagging guns that are not NIB "safe queens" is I can take take the K-22 to the range. I can't wait to see if it will out shoot my somewhat more worn 1954 era K-22.
Swapped out the pristine but too small for me magnas for a set of 1950's diamond target stocks.

Hopefully one of these years I will find an early 1950's K-38 to go along with the .22's. The only ones I've come across are either priced way too high or have serious condition issues.
 
Range Report

I took the 1951 K-22 to the range tonight along with my 1954 K-22 for some informal shooting. I wasn't "on" tonight but both revolvers kept everything in the 9 and 10 zones of a 50 ft reduced combat target at 25 yards shooting seated/off hand. Smacked the heck out of some small swingers too. The 1951 gun has a VERY tight b/c gap and started to drag pretty good after about 100 rounds. It also had some internal issues with sticking, so the sideplate came off for a good cleaning as soon as I got home. Feels 100% better now. Should have done that first like I usually do.

Next time I'll shoot off a sandbag rest and use top notch ammo to find the real potential (as far as I can take it, that is..) of the two mid century K-22's.
 
. . . Swapped out the pristine but too small for me magnas for a set of 1950's diamond target stocks . . .

At the price you paid, loosen up a few more bucks and get a set of non-relieved Targets on that beauty! That gun deserves the correct stocks. There must have been a half dozen on ebay over the last couple of weeks.
 
I always pay attention to dates...especially when it comes to 1951, thats my birth year. I've got two K-22s and neither is a 1951, its the search that keeps some of us going. I gotta agree on the non relieved targets, you will appreciate the way it changes the feel. My '53 K-22 came with non relieved targets and trigger shoe installed, it shoots much better than I'm capable.
 

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