On an auction website, I'm looking at a K-22 that has me puzzled. The butt is stamped K 283449 and the cylinder 283449. But the yoke is stamped with a lone K and under it a number 66452. What does that tell you? Thanks again.

It's an assembly number. It aided factory workers to keep the various components together as they were hand fitted through the manufacturing and assembly process. The serial numbers are stamped on the frame handle butt and the cylinder. That K-22 was manufactured in 1956.

Check the grip number and the bbl. number. One under the ejector as well. Personally, I would never buy a mis matched S&W unless it was just the grips, and even then,only if the mis match could be corrected by a correct replacement and it was a deal to hard to pass up. Big Larry

I am fairly new to Smith & Wesson revolvers and would like to believe Johsonl as that number being an assembly number. Can others verify that. There is also info that states, left grip frame is stamped K/3 and right grip H/H/T. If info doesn't feel right to you, I'll probably pass. Again, thanks for your help

You asked the question and got the answer. buy the gun.

It's simply an assembly number, if you need to be real sure ask the seller to pop the sideplate off you'll find the same number on the back of of it too maybe that'll convince you a little more.

No, really, it is! I have a great big thick book that says so!

The Standard catalog of smith&wesson 3rd edition is your best friend.(as referred above)It will help you greatly as it has me. Your question is a common one. Be assured you received good advise.

Sorry for being so ignorant, but thank you all for the advise.

The K22is my favorite revolver. You will not be sorry you got one!

Welcome to the forum.
Look at the face of the cylinder where you found the serial number. Then look 1 to 2 charge holes counter clockwise (left) and you should find the K stamp. That's where I found the k part of the serial number on my K22.

Welcome to the forum.

The numbers in the yoke area are as explained, factory assembly numbers. The serial number is on the butt, the cylinder face (including the "K"), under the extractor star, and sometimes under the barrel and on the yoke as seen only through one of the charge holes or by removing the cylinder. As time went one, S&W stopped marking guns in all of these locations, but the butt or front of the grip strap is ALWAYS marked.

The other misc. letters and numbers on the grip frame are inspector marks and mean nothing now. If the gun went back to the factory, there is sometimes a date code stamped on the forward part of the left grip frame and then usually a factory rework star on the butt by the serial number. That is most of lesson 101 on S&W markings.

Make sure that you post pictures if you acquire the gun. People that don't post photos are forced to sit in the corner and read the SCSW from cover to cover.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497