Nice pictures, and great gun!!! Neat holster too! What is it lined with? It looks like some type of fur.

I'm very jealous. I've been looking for a high-condition pre war K22 for a long time.

I'm looking forward to what the letter says.

Having that grip adapter is really something! In all my travels, I've only handled one K frame grip adapter, and it was only recently, when a fellow S&WCA member let me fondle one of his.

You got a keeper there! Maybe someone here can help you scare up the correct box, and then you'll have the complete package.

Best,

Michael

I think the holster is lined with a sheep skin of some type. Very similar to what I was my cars with...very soft. Any idea to the vintage of the holster?

Good call on the old man, Andy.

That holster is interesting. I find the ring (?) in the belt slot intriguing… What’s the ring for? It looks like a very well made holster. I’ve never seen that “K-22” marking on a holster before either.

We need that Turnriver (?) fellow to kick in. He is a real holster expert.

I did a little searching, and the closest thing I can find to it is a "wool lined holster" on page 182 of a 1954 Stoeger catalog. It is not the same holster though. Still searching...

quote:

Originally posted by deadin:
JayCeeNC, same question about the number of screws in your rear sight (don't count the "windage" screw). Your gun appears to fall right on the cusp of the change from 2 to 3.
Also, please reconfirm your serial, 647,630. If your's has a Call Gold bead it may have been a special order as the Gold's seem to have changed to Stainless about 3 years prior. (Or it's just another case of S&W's serial numbers being shipped out of sequence. Usually though, it's "older" numbers with "newer" features, not the other way around. Thanks

The serial number is correct. Rear sight is 2-screw variation. Below are pics of both for your perusal:

quote:

Originally posted by Andy Griffith:
I think the holster is lined with a sheep skin of some type.

A sheep skin lined holster would help protect the finish of the gun. Every time the gun went in or out of the holster, a little lanolin would be deposited on its surface. This is an old idea: It's known from a few archeological finds the some Viking-era sword scabbards were sheep skin lined.

John,
Thanks for the recheck and the pictures.
Yours is the earliest one I have logged with the lock screw on the rear sight. Serial # 646,8xx shipped in 6/34 with no lock screw and a stainless bead.
In fact I don't show any Gold beads since late 1931, other than your "fly in the ointment".
Just goes to show, Don't ever think you've got S&W figured out.

quote:

Originally posted by deadin:
John,
Yours is the earliest one I have logged with the lock screw on the rear sight.
In fact I don't show any Gold beads since late 1931, other than your "fly in the ointment".
Just goes to show, Don't ever think you've got S&W figured out.

Thanks, Dean. I've never asked Mr. Jinks for a shipping date on this one, as I don't usually waste the bandwidth unless I have a specific reason for asking. Maybe I'll check when he gets back from vacation.
This one is very nice overall, with just a bit of muzzle wear and cylinder turn ring.

I have two 1st models in hand and both have the silver call bead.

quote:

I have two 1st models in hand and both have the silver call bead.

Well, what are their serials and do they have the lock screw in the rear sight? (Hint-hint )

quote:

Originally posted by Andy Griffith:
- seems to be unusual for a holster to be labeled to a particular gun model, isn't it?

Note the gold "K22" marking on the holster.

I don't know the dates where it was common, but HH Heiser used to do that all the time. In that case it was just pen markings on the back of the holster. I've got one marked K22. Its a big brown button holster. Anyone know the dates those were produced?

quote:

Anyone know the dates those were produced?

I've got a 1939 Stoeger's catalog that shows a "wool lined " holster that is very similar.
It is two toned leather and lined with sheepskin. One difference is that it only has one snap instead of two. Listed as style "U35".

quote:

Originally posted by Onomea:
I know we were all young once, but what a fool of a kid. The computer will be obsolete in three yeears or so... I am glad the K-22 is with someone who appreciates it.

+1

What kind of computer did the kid get in exchange for a gorgeous pre war K22, an original Colt 1911, and a Winchester 1890 Deluxe? I hope it can stop time or something.

What a shame. It really drives home the point that we should leave/sell our stuff to someone who has the same passion for it that we do...even if that person is a friend. I would rather arrange the sale of my stuff at a reasonable price to a good friend who would really cherish it than take the chance of a kid or grandkid who did not appreciate it pawning it to fund their obviously less noble interests.

N_itis,
Excellent point!
As many of us reach 'upper middle-age', we're faced with the very real prospect of (someday) disposing of a collection.
My wife's instructions are to get the guns to a specified collector/seller, so that they'll find good homes for their next time around.

quote:

Originally posted by N_itis:

What kind of computer did the kid get in exchange for a gorgeous pre war K22, an original Colt 1911, and a Winchester 1890 Deluxe?

If you go up and read my post earlier, I would guess that the gunshop owner lowballed the kid and he barely got enough to buy a computer. The shop owner was keeping two of them, so the OP here had to pay enough to buy the kid the computer. Then the shop owner just kept the guns with a very low or no cost to them. Its one of the fringe bene's of gunshop work.