I recently inherited this .22 and can't seem to find any info on it. Did it come from the factory like this or customized? I'd appreciate any ID info and value. Its a prettier gun than the pic shows. Serial:K143280


Thanks.

I can't tell you about the engraving, but others here can. It may be a factory engraving pattern. I just don't know.

The gun is a little older than you think; the serial number puts it in 1952. The model is known as the .22 Combat Masterpiece, which is what the company called the regular K-22 Masterpiece when it sported a four-inch barrel. The front sight on yours is non-standard. The regular K-22 Masterpiece (six-inch barrel) had a patridge front sight with a vertical rear face. The .22 Combat Masterpiece had a ramp front sight. The one on your gun is kind of in between, as though a Patridge blade was cut back at an angle.

Nice looking gun. Are the stocks real ivory or synthetic? They may not be original to the gun, as they seem to partly overlie the engraving pattern.

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David Wilson

Thanks so much for the information. Good stuff.

There are a good number of fifties era engraved samples in the Standard Catalog but I do not see that exact pattern. I do not think the Standard Catalog is by any means a complete collection of the engraving. The work looks well done.

Is there anybody in the family that you inherited the gun from that you could go back to and ask some more questions. Now is the time to ask them. Sometimes people that are in charge to give the gun away don`t realize how important the paperwork and box really is. A lot of people that do not collect or own guns might think, for example. They might say to themselves he does`nt really want this old box, and these old papers. So if I was you, I would try to go back and ask the person that was in charge of the gun about these items. You just might lucky, and get more than you think would of. Good luck.

Worthy of a factory letter.The amount of engraving is done to about the same level of a factory "A" job but unlike patterns that I'm acquainted with.One tell about the engraving is to remove the grips-if the engraving doesn't stop at the grip outline,it's probably aftermarket.Look for any initials,etc., placed by the engraver.
Perhaps the scale of the pic is confusing me,but the barrel appears a bit shorter than four inches to me,suggesting a possibly cut down six incher,though the name appears to be properly located.The modified front sight also makes me question the originality of the barrel.

I cannot tell you about the engraving, but I do see some rust spots on it, and it would behoove you to get some oil on them.

I don't think it's a Combat Masterpiece. Looks like the barrel has been cut and the front sight modified. Likely started as a 6" K22 Masterpiece.

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No life story has happy end.

I would take some real photographs of the gun and send them to the S&W historian with $50 and get a letter. It is short money and will give you how the gun was originally shipped from the factory and to where. Supply as much information as you can including serial number, exact barrel length from cylinder face to barrel tip and any dates or numbers on the frame.

If this is a family heirloom, a history letter would be my first step in saving this for your descendants.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I believe my mother actually won this in a shooting contest ... I thought in early 60's but could have been late 50's.

I'll check into that further and get a letter off.

Thanks for looking and sharing your knowledge.

Your mom ROCKS! Neat gun, I don't think it is factory but with that family history it is not for sale anyway. I think this has been my favorite post for the month.