There is a gun shop near my home that I haven't visited for several years due to a past incident. A friend and owner of another gun shop told me that I "really should stop in an take a look at the used Smith's there. They have a gold box K-22."

I didn't stop in for over a week, then though this is stupid. Let 's see what is in the case. Several model 10's, a .38 S&W breaktop in nickel, a model 66, a model 686, a model 617-1 and a K-22 post war model in its original gold two piece box.

A quick examination revealed the K-22 to be super clean with around 90-93% of the original satin blue, a fair drag ring and nice Magna stocks. The box is about 85% -maybe a bit better.
Asked for his 'best price' and when I got the answer the old credit card went flying out of the wallet! $585 out the door.

Check it out.

very very nice

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Wow, super find! The Box alone is worth a couple hundred, dont know if those are selling prices though.

Nice gun

Nice going! That gun is art

You got a great deal on a great Smith! You bought the gun and got the box free! I've seen the box in like condition sell for $100-$125. With a little searching you can find the brochure, vapor paper, and tools to go with it. Congrats!

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Misty

Well, I just have to double up on what everybody else said: great gun, fine price, good score. Congratulations.

But I think you left an X out of your serial number label. In 1951 the company was into a K plus six digits.

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David Wilson

Very nice score !
As David pointed out you either left a digit off or have an earlier gun.
If the serial is correct it could be a 1948 gun.

On a side note if the 617-1 was a 4" barrel and you dont want it perhaps you can share the info with our members?

I noticed several people eager to pick one up for sale on the forum this morning.

Congrats Again ! .....now you just need a 5 screw .22 Heavy Masterpiece and a .22 Combat Masterpiece to complete the set.

Then all of them in .38 special too...and a Combat Magnum...and a 5 screw N frame 357 and.......

Wow!! Great find and great price!!!

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Go big or stay home

If your worried you paid too much let me know Man, you got a sweet deal! Kyle

that's a $800-900 outfit. Very nice.


Charlie

Thanks for all the positive comments! I hate putting guns on plastic, however I'm not going to pass up an opportunity to snag a 60 year old S&W with box.

As for the serial number- I left an "X" off. (can't slide anything past the hawk eyes on this forum!!) It is definitely a 1951 gun according to the SC of S&W. (damn book keeps costing me!!)

The best thing about snagging guns that are not NIB "safe queens" is I can take take the K-22 to the range. I can't wait to see if it will out shoot my somewhat more worn 1954 era K-22.
Swapped out the pristine but too small for me magnas for a set of 1950's diamond target stocks.

Hopefully one of these years I will find an early 1950's K-38 to go along with the .22's. The only ones I've come across are either priced way too high or have serious condition issues.

That's one nice looking K22. Fantastic price too. Congrats. (never met a K22 I didn't like)

I took the 1951 K-22 to the range tonight along with my 1954 K-22 for some informal shooting. I wasn't "on" tonight but both revolvers kept everything in the 9 and 10 zones of a 50 ft reduced combat target at 25 yards shooting seated/off hand. Smacked the heck out of some small swingers too. The 1951 gun has a VERY tight b/c gap and started to drag pretty good after about 100 rounds. It also had some internal issues with sticking, so the sideplate came off for a good cleaning as soon as I got home. Feels 100% better now. Should have done that first like I usually do.

Next time I'll shoot off a sandbag rest and use top notch ammo to find the real potential (as far as I can take it, that is..) of the two mid century K-22's.

I will be blunt. I Want.

lol
Good deal nice box.

I got all excited for you until I noticed that this thread is over 4 years old. Still a good deal,even then.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

YOWSAH !!!--nice when ever

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John

At the price you paid, loosen up a few more bucks and get a set of non-relieved Targets on that beauty! That gun deserves the correct stocks. There must have been a half dozen on ebay over the last couple of weeks.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Risen from the dead!!!

I never pay any attention to dates. Why do people wait 4 years to post replies??????

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I always pay attention to dates...especially when it comes to 1951, thats my birth year. I've got two K-22s and neither is a 1951, its the search that keeps some of us going. I gotta agree on the non relieved targets, you will appreciate the way it changes the feel. My '53 K-22 came with non relieved targets and trigger shoe installed, it shoots much better than I'm capable.

I picked up a 1948, 5 screw K-22 earlier today. Matching #'s and very good condition. I'm happy!

Here is a pic.

Attached Images

image.jpeg (57.2 KB, 32 views)

Yup, me too....guess I officially have the S&W flu....