I have what I believe is a 22 Outsdoorsman 22 Long Rifle and I am interested in trying to get info regarding the date of manufacture. I will describe the revolver and then try to add photos at a later date, but I am hoping some of you can come up with a DOM from the description and the serial number. It is built on a K frame with a 6" barrel. On one side of the barrel is Smith & Wesson with the lying down &. The other side shows 22 long rifle ctg. On the frame of that side is Made in U.S.A. with no S-W markings. The other side of the frame has the traditional circle S-W Trade Mark. It has the traditional wood grips. The serial number is 634795 with no letters at all. The patent dates are Feb 6, 06, Sep 14, 09, & Dec 29, 14. This gun is in excellent with 96 - 98 on the metal finish, but the wood grips may have been refinished. I realize that it is almost impossible to value a gun without at least seeing pictures, but if anyone can venture a price range, I would be appreciative.

By the way I am a new member of this forum as of yesterday and this is my first post, so bear with me and I may become a little less wordy.
THANX!!!
MRTDRT

seems to be a K22 outdoorsman from the serial #. I would say first year 1931. The grips will hurt the value, but should be $1000 +. I have one #638xxx which shipped Nov 1931.


Charlie

Based on your description, it's definitely a K-22 Outdoorsman, and the serial number is only a couple thousand higher than the number generally reported as being the starting point for K-22's. It would be easy to think yours was likely shipped during the first month or so of that start date (in 1931), but the usual disclaimer is that only a factory letter from S&W historian Roy Jinks can nail down the actual ship date. Actual manufacture dates weren't recorded, just the date the guns left the factory.

Value? Hmmm... maybe someone else has a more realistic observation than I, but in the condition you suggest, and if the grips are serial numbered to the gun, I don't think $1000 would be out of the ballpark.

Welcome to the forum.

Mark

__________________
S&W Forum Member #721

Thanx for providing the info regarding my revolver. You both were very helpful. Unfortunately the grips do not have a serial number attaching them to the gun, but from what I have been told by previous owners, these probably are the original grips. I currently have less than $100.00 in the gun, so I guess it was a good buy. It is also a very good shooter. I have shot about a box through it.
MRTDRT

I was just out shooting my K22 this afternoon, too much fun. It's good to shoot those old guns, they really enjoy the exercise.

The bottom gun in the picture is a pre war Outdoorsman,
the middle one an early post war and the top one the later "Heavy" Masterpiece...
Which one is most like yours?



the frame tops


the front sites


the muzzle

Mine is like the bottom one in the picture of the three. My other replies suggested that based on the serial number and the description, mine is probably an early 1931 version. As I indicated in my first listing, this is the first time for me to use this forum, and I have been very impressed with the info shared here. I need to learn how to how to send photos as I have a couple of other early models about I need to get some information. Do you have any recommendations concerning good sources of information regarding these older Smiths? I have not been an accumulator very long. I call myself an accumulator rather than a collector because I have no specific plan; I simply like older and newer Smith-Wesson revolvers.

Thanx for the pictures.
MRTDRT

Hi MRTDRT,


What I do is to upload images to a free internet site, such as 'Fotki' or 'Webshots'...and, this is done to form an Album.

When viewing an individual image in the Album one has made, there are options to the side to have that image appear in various kinds of places, such as Forums.

Elect the Forum option and the size you want the image to be, and, it then provides you with a URL you can highight and cut, to then paste in to the Post, where, the Image then appears in the completed Post in the forum.

Any idea of the year & value of a S&W 6" barrel, 6 shot .22lr
Serial # 444509
It is, I am guessing, good condition.
I can get pictures together if what it is worth (ball-park) is somewhere near what I would hope to sell it for.

Thanks for your in advance ;-)

You should really start a fresh thread with your question. However, 444509 would date from about 1923. Please provide several good pictures if you wish an informed estimate of value.