Wasn't looking, but this K-22 just spoke to me!

[KalamazooKid]

I lied ..... I'm ALWAYS looking for beautiful K-22's. But with a couple of other purchases already on their way in, I wasn't looking LAST WEEK.

While scrolling through a few of my favorite sellers on the auction site I came across this one with a factory letter dated June 11, 1956 which just happens to be my birth year. It really did speak to me so I took a shot and won the auction at what I thought to be a better than average price, $800 plus shipping.

As usual from this seller, the gun exceeded expectations, it's gorgeous (trying not to use a "useless phrase" LOL). No box but the factory letter more than makes up for that.

[murphydog]

Yes, those mid to late ‘50s guns had beautiful polished blue finishes. Enjoy!

[moosedog]

That's a beauty. I would have jumped on that myself. Reasonably priced too.

[GaryHK]

My that is a fantastic looking piece at a reasonable price. Good find!

[JohnRippert]

When you are not looking is usually when you find that right firearm, or woman.

[KalamazooKid]

Originally Posted by JohnRippert

When you are not looking is usually when you find that right firearm, or woman.

Ain't that the truth!

[Hair Trigger]

Odd, the letter says it's a "4 screw variation", but the side plate only has three screws (third is under the stocks). I can't see it, but is there a screw at the front of the trigger guard? The 5 screw guns have one there, and it's usually the first screw to be deleted, then the one nearest the hammer.

I wouldn't count the pin there as a screw.

At any rate, it's beautiful, and I think you got a fantastic price, especially with the letter. I've got the .22 Magnum version of your gun, the M48-4; not nearly as old as your gun, maybe the same shape, but I gave more for it.

[ken158]

Nice gun with the letter and YES, I see the 4th screw / trigger guard.

[Retired W4]

That is beautiful. Congratulations.

[Retired W4]

Am I seeing one sharp shouldered panel and one not? It's hard to tell from the picture.

[KalamazooKid]

Originally Posted by Retired W4

Am I seeing one sharp shouldered panel and one not? It's hard to tell from the picture.

[boykinlp]

I personally think you got a pretty good deal considering from what I can see, it doesn't even have a turn line, and a letter costs $100 now days. Now if it had come with all the goodies (box, tools), it would have been a very fantastic deal.
Larry

[Retired W4]

Originally Posted by KalamazooKid

Must have been my well aged eyes. That is a great price for a stellar K-22.

[GaryHK]

Came back to look at the gun again, not the new posts...it's that nice!!

[Walter Rego]

The upper sideplate screw was the first of the five screws to be deleted. I have a very early Model 53 four screw gun that has the screw in front of the trigger guard and three on the sideplate, with the sideplate having the little tongue at the top that helps secure it.

[kennethg]

All K-22's speak. Some just louder than others. That is an excellent find.

[Engine49guy]

K22's are a favorite !

A few observations,
first your stocks appear to be the earlier style high shoulder magnas , by 1956 the newer style tapered shoulder Magnas had been in use for a few years.
Your K22 is a fairly early 4 screw as evidenced by the older "High Speed" hammer, this changed to the modern style sometime in 1957.
Very nice gun enjoy

[Hair Trigger]

I have a question regarding the K-22, as well as all the .22 rimfire models in general. I notice there is a pin just above the side plate that passes through the frame just forward of the hammer. Is this pin to hold the firing pin assembly, or whatever it's called on these guns? My M48 has this pin; and it is the only one of my S&W revolvers to have a pin there, but the rest of my guns are all centerfire, with a hammer nose. My M48 has a flat faced hammer, which I suppose strikes the spring loaded pin in the frame.

[KalamazooKid]

Originally Posted by Engine49guy

K22's are a favorite !

A few observations,
first your stocks appear to be the earlier style high shoulder magnas , by 1956 the newer style tapered shoulder Magnas had been in use for a few years.
Your K22 is a fairly early 4 screw as evidenced by the older "High Speed" hammer, this changed to the modern style sometime in 1957.
Very nice gun enjoy

Interesting, thanks for the info ..... the stocks do number to the gun. And the book seems to indicate early 56 production along with the June 11 ship date.

[merl67]

Originally Posted by Hair Trigger

I have a question regarding the K-22, as well as all the .22 rimfire models in general. I notice there is a pin just above the side plate that passes through the frame just forward of the hammer. Is this pin to hold the firing pin assembly, or whatever it's called on these guns? My M48 has this pin; and it is the only one of my S&W revolvers to have a pin there, but the rest of my guns are all centerfire, with a hammer nose. My M48 has a flat faced hammer, which I suppose strikes the spring loaded pin in the frame.

You are correct it holds the firing pin in.

[jeffrefrig]

Beautiful gun! You can't beat that price, either. I have my dad's K22 from 1950 and even though it'd been with him on hundreds of rabbit hunts, and lived in its holster when not in use, it almost looks that good. They really did a nice job on their finishes back then. I don't think I'd pass it up, either, especially with the letter. The last K22 I saw in a gun shop in my area was priced, if I remember right, over $1000 and nowhere close to the condition of mine; definitely not close to yours! It's hard to believe no one jumped on it over what you paid, but, good for you! Are you going to shoot it? I don't get out to the range as much as I should, but I usually shoot a couple cylinders whenever I go. Usually before I leave so I at least have one grouping to make me feel good about myself. It's spot on at 25 yards. Great guns are these 20th Century S&Ws.

[YeshuaIsa53]

That is one fine Pre 17. I love the four screw versions, but the fives are nice, too. Buy a lottery ticket.

The grips look to have been almost fitted to that gun. $800 would have screamed at me loudly, but I already have one or two. Still hard to turn them down in that condition.

[KalamazooKid]

Originally Posted by jeffrefrig

Beautiful gun! You can't beat that price, either. I have my dad's K22 from 1950 and even though it'd been with him on hundreds of rabbit hunts, and lived in its holster when not in use, it almost looks that good. They really did a nice job on their finishes back then. I don't think I'd pass it up, either, especially with the letter. The last K22 I saw in a gun shop in my area was priced, if I remember right, over $1000 and nowhere close to the condition of mine; definitely not close to yours! It's hard to believe no one jumped on it over what you paid, but, good for you! Are you going to shoot it? I don't get out to the range as much as I should, but I usually shoot a couple cylinders whenever I go. Usually before I leave so I at least have one grouping to make me feel good about myself. It's spot on at 25 yards. Great guns are these 20th Century S&Ws.

The auction ended Sunday evening - when hundreds of other items close. I just think some get lost in all of the last minute bidding. These are going for $1000 plus these days, and if the box were included, $1200 plus especially with the letter. And yes, I put a few cylinders through it last eve and will shoot some more this weekend!

[KalamazooKid]

Originally Posted by YeshuaIsa53

That is one fine Pre 17. I love the four screw versions, but the fives are nice, too. Buy a lottery ticket.

The grips look to have been almost fitted to that gun. $800 would have screamed at me loudly, but I already have one or two. Still hard to turn them down in that condition.

I think this puts me at about a dozen K-22's, from a 1938 Outdoorsman through early 60's model 17's (and a few model 18's for good measure). All but a couple get shot at least a little - and a few get shot A LOT. Nice thing too is I have a lifetime's worth of ammo so while other calibers are in a pause, these can still come out to play!

[handejector]

Nice. That is a fairly low number for a 4 screw K-22. Are all the parts numbered?

[KalamazooKid]

Originally Posted by handejector

Nice. That is a fairly low number for a 4 screw K-22. Are all the parts numbered?

Yup!

[fleabus101]

The OPs K22 is a real dandy. I can share in his
feeling finding his very nice K22. Thanks to my
forum buddy daddio202 he helped me in finding this pre 17 I bought this1947-48
K22 2 months ago. I ostensibly opined at the
time it was my desire for a family soft shootingtraining 22 revolver to learn with. Since I aquired it... with member Lioyd17 parting with several of his grips and items it now wears a
nice set of non relieved target grips and a smooth .312 trigger that makes the K22 a joy
to hold and shoot comfortably for us. I also
found thru a member the correct box along with with a helpful hints brochure to help
complete its package. Really luv this 22😁
Here's a few pics of this one now..
Best Randy😁

[KalamazooKid]

Originally Posted by fleabus101

The OPs K22 is a real dandy. I can share in his

feeling finding his very nice K22. Thanks to my

forum buddy daddio202 he helped me in finding this pre 17 I bought this1947-48

K22 2 months ago. I ostensibly opined at the

time it was my desire for a family soft shootingtraining 22 revolver to learn with. Since I aquired it... with member Lioyd17 parting with several of his grips and items it now wears a

nice set of non relieved target grips and a smooth .312 trigger that makes the K22 a joy

to hold and shoot comfortably for us. I also

found thru a member the correct box along with with a helpful hints brochure to help

complete its package. Really luv this 22

Here's a few pics of this one now..

Best Randy

That’s a beauty! Addictive.

[Engine49guy]

Originally Posted by KalamazooKid

Interesting, thanks for the info ..... the stocks do number to the gun. And the book seems to indicate early 56 production along with the June 11 ship date.

I just looked closer with fresh eyes, it's probably the lighting giving the illusion of sharp shoulders, looking again they do appear to be the proper tapered shoulder.

On a side note the four screw K frame first appeared in late 1955 with the introduction of the then new .357 Combat Magnum,
SW assigned serial numbers K 260,000 thru K 265,000 to be reserved for the first 5000 that would be made, except for a handful the early Combat Magnums began to ship after the 55 Christmas holiday break in early 1956.

Your early four screw K22 was likely produced a short while after that CM run was completed.
My friend has a K22 identical to yours with four screw frame and High speed hammer that is very close to your serial.

[bdGreen]

Originally Posted by fleabus101

The OPs K22 is a real dandy. I can share in his
feeling finding his very nice K22. Thanks to my
forum buddy daddio202 he helped me in finding this pre 17 I bought this1947-48
K22 2 months ago. I ostensibly opined at the
time it was my desire for a family soft shootingtraining 22 revolver to learn with. Since I aquired it... with member Lioyd17 parting with several of his grips and items it now wears a
nice set of non relieved target grips and a smooth .312 trigger that makes the K22 a joy
to hold and shoot comfortably for us. I also
found thru a member the correct box along with with a helpful hints brochure to help
complete its package. Really luv this 22😁
Here's a few pics of this one now..
Best Randy😁

Wow, another S&W that only has one side...


bdGreen

[oysterer]

These guns are incredible and that is the right price for what I see. Mine is a shooter I was fortunate to have found late last year. It shoots like a laser, I am going to have to post some groups.