When did the K-22 change from the narrow rib tapered barrel to the wide rib standard barrel? I have seen guns with 1955 era serial numbers configured both ways, so I'm guessing it was sometime during that year. Or, was there a time when both were available as special order options?

Both forms were available as options for a period. Before late 1949/early 1950, all K-22s had narrow rib barrels. After that the "matching weight" design principle led to the introduction of heavier barrels for all three Masterpiece models -- .22, .32, .38.

I had thought the heavy barrel was the only version available after about 1953, but if you have a narrow rib gun from 1955 I must be wrong.

I am pretty sure you could have had either barrel in 1950-52, but eventually the wide-rib barrel became standard. My 1953 K-22 is a wide-rib version.

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David Wilson

Here is my K-22 from 1955. Serial is 2432xx. Slender barrel and narrow rib. It's a 5 screw also.

Hope this helps.

Attached Images

	S&W1955K22 001.jpg (92.7 KB, 123 views)
	S&W1955K22 003.jpg (93.4 KB, 127 views)

I'm probably wrong. But I thought that the K-22 stayed the same and it was the K-32 and K-38 that they added heavier barrels and wider ribs to bring their weight (loaded weight?) up to equal the K-22's 38 1/2 ounces.

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Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

The .32 and .38 models definitely got heavier barrels and ribs, but the .22 got a redimensioned barrel as well. The matching-weight policy was for loaded revolvers, so the loaded .22 (not too much heavier than an unloaded .22) had to match the weight of a .38 with six loaded chambers. Some of that can be made up with the .22's additional steel in the cylinder, but you need to adjust the barrel weight too.

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David Wilson

While the taper barrel/frame did continue in the K22 "Combat" Masterpiece until the end of the 18-4 line would it be correct that the 6" taper barrel dissappeared about the same time as the 5 screw frames ?