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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 01-28-2011, 03:43 AM
swedemh swedemh is offline
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Information about a 22 LR Revolver? Information about a 22 LR Revolver? Information about a 22 LR Revolver? Information about a 22 LR Revolver? Information about a 22 LR Revolver?  
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I inherited a 22 LR Revolver after the passing of my father. I was looking for some additional information regarding it. It has a stamp on the right side of the barrel with 22 Long Rifle CTG. It has a K 254769 stamped on the bottom of the Grip and also on the face of the cylinder. It has a round silver S&W button toward the top of each side of the hand grip. The hand grip has a bordered checkered grip with a single slotted screw on the left side of the grip.

Anyone have any ideas of the age and value of this revolver.

I've included some pictures.

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 01-28-2011, 04:00 AM
Sapper Sapper is offline
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Look like a K-22, there are a ton of threads from other member with lots of information about finding the DOB and other info, I would guess it is worth around $700 but age plays a big factor, have fun with it and welcome to the forums!
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Old 01-28-2011, 05:16 AM
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Your revolver is known as a K-22 Rimfire Masterpiece. Yours was made about 1955. Back then, S&W gave their guns names, rather than model numbers. Later K-22's like yours were given the Model 17 designation. It is built upon what S&W refers to as a K frame, which is medium size in their range of frames. It has what are called "Magna" grips or stocks on it, and also has a "square butt" style of grip frame. Aftermarket grips and stocks are widely available for this frame size gun, as are holsters.

S&W has made K frame .22 revolvers with adjustable sights since 1931. They are most common with 6 inch barrels, like yours, but also can be had with 8-3/8 inch barrels. After WWII, S&W began to make a K-22 with a 4 inch barrel, and they called it the K-22 Rimfire Combat Masterpiece. Nickel finish is a rare option for K-22's.

K-22's had 6 shot cylinders until about 1996 when S&W began to make and sell them with 10 shot aluminum alloy cylinders. The blue steel K-22 was discontinued about 1999.

A stainless steel version of the K-22 was introduced in 1989 and it was given the designation Model 617. These are still made today.

It's hard to pin down a value from just photos, but I doubt you could replace yours with a similar gun for under $450. Like most collectibles, if you had the original box, cleaning tools and screwdriver they were shipped with, it would be worth a good bit more. The finish's condition drives prices up and down- the more blue wear, dings and scratches a gun has, the less value it has, and the inverse is also true; a brand new-looking K-22 from 1955 with it's original stocks could sell for $1,000, more with the box and tools.

The K-22 is one of the best .22 rimfire revolvers ever made. You will really enjoy shooting it.
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Old 01-28-2011, 09:57 AM
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Göring's S&W Göring's S&W is offline
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Quote:
Your revolver is known as a K-22 Rimfire Masterpiece.
Quote:
After WWII, S&W began to make a K-22 with a 4 inch barrel, and they called it the K-22 Rimfire Combat Masterpiece.
The 6 in K-22 aka pre model 17 is more accurately known as a "K-22 target masterpiece" while the 4 in K-22 aka pre model 18 is known as a "K-22 combat masterpiece". AFAIK, the company never called either a "rimfire masterpiece" since all K-22s are rimfire anyways.

Quote:
They are most common with 6 inch barrels, like yours, but also can be had with 8-3/8 inch barrels.
I never personally saw a K-22 outdoorsman or a post war K-22 aka pre model 17 with an 8 3/8 barrel but I can believe some were special ordered that way. The 8 3/8in K frame 22s you refer to which were standard production are actually model 17s, and I think they were only made for one model variation, perhaps 17-2, then discontinued, if my memory serves.

Quote:
Yours was made about 1955
I have a K-22, SN 253XXX which was made in 1953 so I would place yours as 1953 or 1954.
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Old 01-28-2011, 11:05 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goring's S&W View Post
Quote:
Your revolver is known as a K-22 Rimfire Masterpiece.
Quote:
After WWII, S&W began to make a K-22 with a 4 inch barrel, and they called it the K-22 Rimfire Combat Masterpiece.
The 6 in K-22 aka pre model 17 is more accurately known as a "K-22 target masterpiece" while the 4 in K-22 aka pre model 18 is known as a "K-22 combat masterpiece". AFAIK, the company never called either a "rimfire masterpiece" since all K-22s are rimfire anyways.
Actually, the factory never had "TARGET" in the names of the Masterpiece line.
In the description, YES.
In the name, NO.

This OP's gun is a "K-22 Masterpiece"
The 4 inch version is a "22 Combat Masterpiece" without the K
About 1950,All Model Circulars begin using Heavy in the name of the K-32 Masterpiece and K-38 Masterpiece, as in K-38 Heavy Masterpiece, but eventually dropped the Heavy as the lighter barrels faded into the past.

The names of the models are:
K-22 Masterpiece (6 inch)
K-32 Masterpiece (6 inch)
K-38 Masterpiece (6 inch)
38 Combat Masterpiece (4 inch)
22 Combat Masterpiece (4 inch)

Since the 38 Combat Masterpiece preceded the 22 Combat Masterpiece and there were initially NO plans to build a 22 version, the early All Model Circulars showing the 38 Combat Masterpiece simply called it the Combat Masterpiece- See Pic #4. The 38 was added to Combat Masterpiece AFTER the 22 Combat Masterpiece was introduced.

I have posted this data a bunch of times.
Y'all write it down!

Pics below are from 1946, 1950, 1969, 1950, and 1969 All Model Circulars.
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File Type: jpg IMG_3293.jpg (57.5 KB, 141 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_3292.jpg (79.1 KB, 131 views)
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Old 01-28-2011, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Goring's S&W View Post
I never personally saw a K-22 outdoorsman or a post war K-22 aka pre model 17 with an 8 3/8 barrel but I can believe some were special ordered that way.
I have never seen a 5 screw or pre model number 4 screw K frame with an 8-3/8 inch barrel in any model.
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Old 01-28-2011, 12:29 PM
Larry from Bend Larry from Bend is offline
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Swedemh ---- WELCOME to the forum. You have to sift through a lot of anal-retentive posters here --- but there's lots of good info. I've had a revolver like yours since 1971 (mine was shipped from the factory in 1959) and it's provided a lot of enjoyment both small game hunting and shooting at targets.

It's a wonderful inheritance and, to many of us, more desirable than a brand new one.

Last edited by Larry from Bend; 01-28-2011 at 12:31 PM.
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Old 01-28-2011, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by handejector View Post
All Model Circulars begin using Heavy in the name of the K-32 Masterpiece and K-38 Masterpiece, as in K-38 Heavy Masterpiece, but eventually dropped the Heavy as the lighter barrels faded into the past.
Handejector,

Is a standard weight K-38 hard to discern from a Heavy in the absence of a scale? I have a K-22 Masterpiece and hope to add a K-38 someday. Are the standard weight ones rarer and more costly...do many sellers even know that two different weights were produced? Thanks

Cap
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Old 01-28-2011, 03:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmoose View Post
Handejector,

Is a standard weight K-38 hard to discern from a Heavy in the absence of a scale? I have a K-22 Masterpiece and hope to add a K-38 someday. Are the standard weight ones rarer and more costly...do many sellers even know that two different weights were produced? Thanks

Cap
Pro sellers know the difference.

Pics below of two K-38 Masterpieces. Note the light barrel has a rib that is undercut or grooved on the sides.
Light on left, Heavy on right.
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File Type: jpg IMG_3296.jpg (46.7 KB, 143 views)
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Old 01-28-2011, 03:59 PM
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Göring's S&W Göring's S&W is offline
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Quote:
Actually, the factory never had "TARGET" in the names of the Masterpiece line.
In the description, YES.
In the name, NO.
Lee, I understand your point, and you're right but I was simply telling him what they're commonly known as, I never stated that what I said was verbatim of what the factory named them at the time. You might wonder why I would bother calling them something that S&W did not call them at the time, so here's a quick story:

My first S&W and first revolver for that matter was a 460 XVR (I had the money and just wanted it). Due to the cost of ammo, for a long time I shot 45 colt from it to save some $$$. (I always intended to shoot 460 in it, long range and perhaps hunt with it and start reloading before anyone criticizes the purchase lol) A couple times while looking for and asking for 45 colt ammo, I was handed 45 acp because the guy probably figured I wanted "45" auto for my "Colt" 1911 at home. Add in that ACP actually means "automatic colt pistol" and confusion occasionally arises. I know this happened at wal mart but I remember it happening at other places too. When I was handed the 45 acp ammo I would then say "No, 45 long colt" because even though its technically wrong (IMO - I heard that there was a 45 short colt but from my understanding its mighty rare) I didn't want to bother to explain the history of it all to someone which I didn't even know, who already had preconcieved ideas. Not worth my time unless I knew the person would listen to me.

My point is that sometimes, its better to refer to something by its popular well known name. That was why I called it a K-22 target masterpiece. I didn't actually know about the 22 combat masterpiece name changes but its common sense anyway, if they introduced only 1 caliber originally in the 4 in K frame.

Looking back, I shouldn't have nit picked the prior to post to mine unless I was going to enter the original factory nomenclature.

Quote:
Pics below of two K-38 Masterpieces. Note the light barrel has a rib that is undercut or grooved on the sides.
Light on left, Heavy on right.
For a K frame, to distinguish light from heavy, can't you also look at where the barrel meets the frame and then see a taper for a light weight barrel (no taper for a heavy, a straight barrel)? Kind of like a model 25 vs a model 26? Or is it not true for a K frame?
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Old 01-28-2011, 04:07 PM
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Quote:
Quote:
Pics below of two K-38 Masterpieces. Note the light barrel has a rib that is undercut or grooved on the sides.
Light on left, Heavy on right.
For a K frame, to distinguish light from heavy, can't you also look at where the barrel meets the frame and then see a taper for a light weight barrel (no taper for a heavy, a straight barrel)? Kind of like a model 25 vs a model 26? Or is it not true for a K frame?
I looked closely at the brochures you posted Lee, and I don't see the taper, so I guess its not K frames, only N frames?
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Old 01-28-2011, 04:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goring's S&W View Post
For a K frame, to distinguish light from heavy, can't you also look at where the barrel meets the frame and then see a taper for a light weight barrel (no taper for a heavy, a straight barrel)? Kind of like a model 25 vs a model 26? Or is it not true for a K frame?
Excellent point I neglected.
Same two K-38 Masterpiece's below.
Light on left, Heavy on right-
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Old 01-28-2011, 04:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goring's S&W View Post
I looked closely at the brochures you posted Lee, and I don't see the taper, so I guess its not K frames, only N frames?
Remember that the AMC's are not always true photos.
It is like they are artist's sketches, or maybe touched up photos or something, but they are NOT great pics!
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Old 01-28-2011, 04:29 PM
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Lee,
thanks so much for the informative photos. Now I can easily tell the difference. I'm a fan of lighter barrels... I have a Model 10 with one. Going to a gun show this weekend. Hope I come across something cool.

Cap
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Old 01-28-2011, 04:49 PM
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Quote:
Remember that the AMC's are not always true photos.
It is like they are artist's sketches, or maybe touched up photos or something, but they are NOT great pics!
Yes I know but they were pretty damn scale, and well done with attention to detail. But in the back of my mind, I did think "hey, its a sketch".
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Old 01-26-2013, 01:24 PM
Beuna Woolums Beuna Woolums is offline
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I had a Smith & Wesson 17 Masterpiece nickel plated 1955 22 pistol. It was stolen 1/20/2013. It belonged to my father-in-law. I'm trying to get a replacement price for insurance. Any help you can give is so appreciated. I was rather have the gun. But.
Thank you.
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Old 01-27-2013, 10:26 PM
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$500 to $700 depending on condition.



Charlie
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Old 01-31-2013, 09:07 PM
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yours is a 1955 K22. also known as a pre-17. from the pics, it looks to be extremely pitted but with bright blue. this would perhaps indicate not much usage, but poor storage. it is definitely not a collector in that condition but i'd bet it is a great shooter. i think you would be hard pressed to get more than $400 for it. i bought better ones recently off of gunbroker for $450. most people will tolerate blue loss but not severe pitting like that.
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Old 01-31-2013, 09:37 PM
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Swedmh, don't listen to these guys! They'll drive you to drink. It's a six-shooter, plain & simple. Have fun with it. It's deadly accurate.
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Old 12-04-2013, 12:04 AM
deingy deingy is offline
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Dad's old gun, good quality, and good shooter make it priceless. Keep it and enjoy it. Bought mine with my dad in the 60's and it goes to my son.
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1911, 617, colt, combat masterpiece, grooved, k frame, k-22, masterpiece, model 10, model 17, model 25, model 26, outdoorsman, rimfire, screwdriver, target masterpiece, wwii

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