****UPDATE****

I was able to talk to Roy today. He verified that it was a Prewar Masterpiece. He also verified that this pistol had been refinished at S&W in Feb. '58. That was definitely bad news, so I cheered myself up by going out and shooting it a little more.

I don't think it's going to be worth me trying to restore this gun to it's original glory, so I'm thinking of selling it in the near future.

J



I've talked to a few of you guys online and I'm just getting around to posting pics of my K22 SN 6846XX. Any comments, helpful suggestions are welcome as I try to get this gun back to it's original state. Thanks in advance.

J

This message has been edited. Last edited by: prebancolt,

pbc:
It looks to be a K-22 2nd model which was the first Masterpiece, made in 1940. Less than 1100 were made and it would have come with either silver medallion service stocks or magnas. Nice gun. Welcome to the forum.
Ed

Good news, bad news, on that revolver.

Way more good news than bad.

Bad news first. It needs a pair of k Frame magnas. I am sure that it is possible that some shipped with service grips, but by 1940 most came with magnas. The bad news is when you find them, they won't number to your revolver, of course.

Now, the good news. What you have is a 2nd model, masterpiece. Very desireable and very valuable. I am sure that even in it's state, without the matching or correct grips, it would fetch you more than 2000.00.

It appears to be in very nice shape. You do need to take the grips off and make sure there are no stars near the serial number on the butt or a date stamped on the gripframe under the grips.

Very nice k22 you have there!

quote:

The bad news is when you find them, they won't number to your revolver, of course.

How about not numbered at all? I've got a late K-22, 1st model with pre-war magnas. Roy lettered it as having shipped with them. They are un-numbered (Not stamped or penciled.) Is this common or what?

Dean:
I have handled 7 pair of prewar K magnas over the past several months and only 2 were numbered.
Ed

Many, I'm not sure that they shipped with Magna's. While Bruce's seem to have them on, my 2 have service stocks, one with the grip adapter and one without.

quote:

Many, I'm not sure that they shipped with Magna's. While Bruce's seem to have them on, my 2 have service stocks, one with the grip adapter and one without.

Dick,
I have one that letters as being shipped with
Magna,s
James

So - what's the question ? Besides the grips, what do you think is not
original about the gun ?

Its a 2nd model K22,as noted. It has the right hammer, the right rear sight,
probably the original Call bead front sight. The grips are obviously not
factory, but you would need a letter if you really want to know what grips
were shipped with the gun.

Later, Mike Priwer

Thanks guys for all the feedback! The next thing I need to know is where do I find a set of magnas in good shape? Anybody got a "correct" (preferably un-numbered) set of grips that they want to part with? Then on to the auction sites for a box.....

J

Finding either could get costly and be a time consuming process. There just aren't that many of either floating around. Be patient and keep looking.

As Mike stated, you'll need a letter to confirm what kind of wood came on it originally. My two have the numbers clearly marked, and they shipped with service stocks, not Magna's.

Finding a red Masterpiece box will take you a bunch of time an a bunch more luck, not counting the $$$ you might end up paying. While its a worthy search, don't think you're going to go to ebay and find them this afternoon. If you do, go buy a lottery ticket at the same time.

Oh, and welcome to the forum. We like new members.

I don't post pix. But if you want to see my 2 K22 2nd Red boxes, buy The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. You'll need the book anyway. Whoops, its on page 32, but you can't see them as well as Bruces photos above.

"then on to the auction sites for a box..."


Scarcer than hen's teeth.
Ed

quote:

Originally posted by smith17:
"then on to the auction sites for a box..."


Scarcer than hen's teeth.
Ed

At the SWCA meeting in Salt Lake City a couple of years ago I picked up a beautiful K22 Masterpiece box that was priced at $1000. I didn't have a gun for it and I was really torn about buying it so I set it down to catch my breath. The guy behind me had it up and paid for before I could draw my next breath. I considered it a real lesson in listening when opportunity knocks.

Bob

Bob:
That blur behind you wasn't Bruce, was it?

I think I remember 2 of the red Masterpiece boxes coming up for sale on Ebay in the last 2 years. Compared to 2 RM boxes in the last 2 weeks.
Ed

quote:

That blur behind you wasn't Bruce, was it? Smiler

Naw Ed, if it had been Bruce, I wouldn't have ever gotten to pick it up in the first place

Bob

J

Really nice example as the guys have said. Many's estimate of $2000 may well be low.

I've got a few pre-war K frames and none (I don't think) letter with Magna's. I have seen several sets of Magna's in the past couple of years and none were numbered. My guess is that most were bought from S&W after the gun was delivered with Service stocks - thus the lack of number.

Don't rush on the stocks, you'll find a pair.