K22 Masterpiece Model 17

Brandon0413 · #1 10-08-2011, 12:57 PM

I have inherited my grandfather's K22 Masterpiece Model 17.

I remember him saying that he fired a round out of it once, maybe twice when he first bought it. Then he kept it under his bed in a holster.

It looks like he might of played with it a couple of times, as there are only a few minor marks on it. It does have a ring around the cylinder.

The serial no. is in the 409xxx range. I read a few posts on here and determined that it was from 1960. Is that correct?

Brandon0413 · #2 10-08-2011, 12:59 PM

A couple more pics:

gunlovingirl · #3 10-08-2011, 03:41 PM

1960 is correct. I believe it's a model 17-1. It should say on the label on the end of the box, and also should be stamped on the frame inside the yoke cut out. The 17-1 is harder to find because they made them for a shorter time. Looks like a really nice one! And the fact that it belonged to your grandfather makes it even more special!

alaskavett · #4 10-08-2011, 03:46 PM

What you have there is a fine example of a sought after "low mileage" S&W sweetheart! I hope you keep it as guns with family history are the coolest to have. Thanks for sharing it with us. Enjoy it, and care for it and it will last forever. Kyle

Brandon0413 · #5 10-08-2011, 04:56 PM

Thank you.

It's not a 17-1, just a 17. It says 17 on the box and on the gun. The box also has the serial number on the bottom.

I definitely plan on keeping it and passing it on one day.

I noticed some very minor rust starting to form in various spots on the outside of the gun. I have read of a few different ways of cleaning it and have come to the conclusion that I should just be able to put a generous amount of kroil on it and let it soak for 24 hours to soften it up. Then I might be able to gently wipe it away with a soft rag. Does that sound like a good idea?

I know nothing about guns.

What else should I do to keep it in good shape?

Hondo44 · #6 10-08-2011, 05:13 PM

Your ideas for the rust spots are good ones. The only other thing I'd suggest is to shoot it. You can't depreciate it any furhter but don't carry or store it in a holster. Whether or not you store it in the box, put an old sock on it or you'll get blue wear on the sides of the cylinder just from sliding around on the paper or where ever.

It's a gorgeous heirloom!

GF · #7 10-08-2011, 05:35 PM

Kroil is a good idea, it's what I use too. And I wouldn't store it in the leather holster.

A fine rimfire heirloom you have there, granddad had good taste in revolvers.

GF

gunlovingirl · #8 10-08-2011, 05:48 PM

A 17 no dash isn't easy to find either! The suggestions for letting oil set on the rust spots should work, just don't rub it with anything abrasive. After you've cleaned it up, keep a very thin film of oil on it. As Jim mentioned, don't store it in the holster. They're a lot of fun to shoot, and ammo is cheap. Whether you shoot it or not, it's nice to hear that you're going to keep it and pass it on some day. A lot of us here love the .22s, and a lot of us would love to own a gun our fathers or grandfathers owned! Congratulations!

Brandon0413 · #9 10-08-2011, 06:21 PM

Thanks for all the great info!

I looked around online and it seems I can't buy kroil locally. I'm guessing any gun oil should work, though. Looks like I can get some Hoppe's elite. I have an old shotgun that could also use cleaning.

Do I need to be careful not to get any oil on the handle or stocks, I think they are called? Are they wood?

PMRet · #10 10-08-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon0413

I noticed some very minor rust starting to form in various spots on the outside of the gun. I have read of a few different ways of cleaning it and have come to the conclusion that I should just be able to put a generous amount of kroil on it and let it soak for 24 hours to soften it up. Then I might be able to gently wipe it away with a soft rag. Does that sound like a good idea?

Kroil is good, but really any good gun oil will do. You can use Fine grade bronze wool to remove surface rust as it will not scratch the finish, but DO NOT use steel wool or other abrasives because they will.

sonora · #11 10-08-2011, 07:01 PM

Welcome to the SW forums. I'm new here as well. Alot of forum members love the K-22, myself included. Lots of knowlege and helpful support . I purchased some fine grade bronze wool at Ace Hardware, but haven' t musturded the courage to use it on my K-22. Sonora

crsides · #12 10-08-2011, 10:30 PM

The bronze wool or Chore Boy copper kitchen pad will do fine, just make sure it is wet with Kroil or gun oil.

CHarlie

Brandon0413 · #13 10-08-2011, 10:48 PM

Thanks guys.

Is this gun a 4 screw? How do you count the screws?

The rear sight is a little loose. Should I tighten it up? It looks like someone may have taken a screwdriver to the wrong side of the rear sight, but none of the screws look like they have been tampered with.

Is there any special ammo that needs to be used with this gun or will any .22 ammo work? I'm sort of interested in shooting it.

alaskavett · #14 10-08-2011, 11:17 PM

Brandon, I don't know where you live, but look amongst your friends and find someone who is a long time shooter. Be careful here, as some are much safer then others! Also look for any NRA or similarly sponsored clubs and events where you may find a group of shooting classes and enthusiasts. You will want to be properly taught shooting safety and correct methods to be applied to each course. Hey, this shooting thing is FUN and ADDICTING!! We would want you to enjoy it. Don't stock up on one brand or kind of 22Long Rifle ammo just yet. Each gun is different and some shoot better(smaller) groups with different ammo. Buy a box or too of 50 each and try them out. Your grips/stocks are wood and do not care for oil so much. If you are mechanically inclined use the proper screwdriver and carefully remove them before a serious cleaning. Inside the right stock you should find the matching ser number of your gun in pencil. Be sure to always follow any local laws as to ownership and use of this great gun and you will have many years of enjoyment with it. Yes, the Model 17 is very scarce! Kyle

Brandon0413 · #15 10-08-2011, 11:49 PM

Oh, I will be safe.

If I were back home where I grew up I'd probably just load it up and go outside and shoot at some cans in front of a hill side. I grew up shooting guns a little bit and was taught proper safety, but nobody in my family was big into hunting. We just lived out in the country without any neighbors in sight and would shoot cans and targets for fun every once in a great while.

But, now, I live in an apartment in the city and I'll most likely have to go to a shooting range. I'll find out what I need to do and maybe take a safety course if I do decide to shoot it.

Thanks.

Hondo44 · #16 10-09-2011, 03:38 AM

The screw count refers to the screws attaching the sideplate plus the screw in front of the trigger guard. With one exception, pre WW II Smith Hand Ejector models (the swing out cylinder style) have 5 screws as well as post war guns up to c.1955.

A '5 screw' gun has 4 screws attaching the sideplate (one is covered by the right hand stock). The 1st screw to be eliminated was the uppermost one on the sideplate creating the '4 screw' guns c. 1955. The K22s which became the Model 17 c. 1957 lost the next screw in front of the trigger guard in 1961 and became '3 screw' guns. This change was noted by the -2 behind the Mod 17 and were therefore stamped 17-2. Since your gun is a Model 17 with no dash #, you have a 4 screw gun.

According to the serial #, your gun, a Model 17 with no dash #, was made from 1957 to c.1959, so only about 2 years.

Brandon0413 · #17 10-09-2011, 01:30 PM

Awesome, thanks.

And regarding the sight: Is it normal for the rear sight, just the part that you would look through, to be a bit loose? Mostly it just wobbles forward and backward a bit.

Hondo44 · #18 10-09-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon0413

Awesome, thanks.

And regarding the sight: Is it normal for the rear sight, just the part that you would look through, to be a bit loose? Mostly it just wobbles forward and backward a bit.

No. Sounds like you mean the sight blade. None of mine move like that but it shouldn't have any negative effects. I wouldn't worry about it.

Brandon0413 · #19 10-09-2011, 06:46 PM

Thank you.

I decided to take the stocks off and had zero problems. I read a tip that said to loosen the screw most of the way then push on it to pop the other side off and it worked great.

The serial number is right where you said it would be, but it's pressed or stamped into it instead of written in pencil.

Now, I just need to get some oil and clean it up.

Do you guys use anything to clean or polish the wood stocks?

Hondo44 · #20 10-09-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon0413

Thank you.

I decided to take the stocks off and had zero problems. I read a tip that said to loosen the screw most of the way then push on it to pop the other side off and it worked great.

The serial number is right where you said it would be, but it's pressed or stamped into it instead of written in pencil.

Now, I just need to get some oil and clean it up.

Do you guys use anything to clean or polish the wood stocks?

Pre war stocks were serial numbered since 1857 by stamping until about 1900; penciled (scratched on hard rubber) until 1929, then stamped again.

Starting in the mid '60s the individual stamped numbers were changed to being stamped in a line at the bottom.

In the mid to late '70s, stock dimension tolerances were good enough to eliminate individual fitting and therefore serial numbering them was eliminated.

If the stocks are grimy I scrub them gently with a tooth brush and soap and water using as little water as possible and immediately towel dry them.

JSR III · #21 10-09-2011, 07:56 PM

First of all welcome to the forum. As others have suggested, first remove the stocks and then give the gun a good cleaning. Lots of oil and brass wool is the best. Don't over do it as you only want to take the high rust and crud off not remove the finish. Once you have removed the crud and rust, dry the metal thoroughly to remove any oil residue. Once that is completed, you should wax the gun with Renaissance Wax. You can purchase a small can online from a variety of sources and I believe some stores actually carry it on the shelf. You wax a gun just like you wax your car. Many folks use oil, but the problem with oil is that it attracts dust and dust holds moisture. Moisture is not good for metal and causes rust flecks. Wax will protect the metal and not allow moisture to get through.

Once you have cleaned the stocks, you can apply a light coat of Renaissance Wax to them as well. Buff with a clean cloth and they will shine like a new pair of shoes and also be protected.

This method is recommended by the conservator of the Springfield museum and the collection in his care is much larger and much more precious than most of ours.

Good luck and I would keep the ammunition in the standard velocity range.

Brandon0413 · #22 10-30-2011, 02:51 PM

I got some bronze wool pads in a couple days ago and cleaned off the freckles of rust. Most of it cleaned up fine, but a couple bigger freckles left behind damage to the bluing.

Then, I cleaned it up real good, oiled it down, dried it off and polished it up a bit. I snapped a bunch of photo's and picked out the best ones for you guys. Hope you can see them well.

I like it! Now I can't wait to get to the range.

Brandon0413 · #23 10-30-2011, 02:53 PM

I need a better camera. These photo's don't do it justice.

A couple more photos:

Iggy · #24 10-30-2011, 03:41 PM

You've got a dandy. They are very popular guns and in much demand. You and your grandkids should be able to enjoy that one together.

TAROMAN · #25 10-30-2011, 03:54 PM

Very nice. Congratulations on your good fortune and cleanup efforts. NOW-get out and shoot it!

Brandon0413 · #26 11-28-2011, 08:53 PM

Thank you all for the kind words, amazing knowledge and most of all telling me I should shoot it.

I finally took it to the range a few days ago and it's a lot of fun.

Now, I find myself saving up some money for a 14 in similar configuration. I don't usually care for guns, what gives?

jughed440 · #27 11-28-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon0413

.... I don't usually care for guns, what gives?

that one is worth caring about...it's much more than say, a Glock.
yes, I own 2 Glocks...they're all business and work very well. but they have no character, and they are not a work of art.

Hondo44 · #28 11-28-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon0413

Thank you all for the kind words, amazing knowledge and most of all telling me I should shoot it.

I finally took it to the range a few days ago and it's a lot of fun.

Now, I find myself saving up some money for a 14 in similar configuration. I don't usually care for guns, what gives?

A latent defective S&W gene in your chromosones has suddenly become active!
Life is good.