I'm not well versed with S&W products, own mostly Winchester and Colts. I am looking at some K22s online and went to a gun show this weekend to check them out further. The feel was okay but I am really having a hard time with the finish, it looks more like a thick coat of paint compared to what I'm used to. I own a blued model 952 and it is fine. What is that finish?

New or used? Any evidence of a re-finish?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

All were "used", I don't think it has been made for about 50 years. I saw several with different degrees of wear and they all appeared similar. None looked to be refinished, all stamps looked okay.

For a few years after WW II S & W had guns with a matte blue, then sometime in the mid-1950s (?) went back to a polished blue. In my observations the original matte finish doesn't look like thick paint.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

If it's a polished blue finish,it should look very similar to your colts and winchesters.

It'd be helpful to know in what era the guns you were looking at were made.

Pre-WWII production K-22's were finely polished and had a very thick looking, highly reflective finish. I'd characterize it as "blue nickel" if that makes any sense, but that's how they appear to me.

Edit: I probably could've used a better word than "thick" to describe the way the high polish ones look to me. Maybe "deep" would be better, kind of like a reflecting pool. The surfaces really are that smooth and flawless.

Attached Images

K-22.jpg (75.3 KB, 16 views)

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

I think they were early fifties, I really wasn't paying any attention to that. Your description is pretty good, that sounds like it. Very similar to what the cylinders in the new cased colored Colt SAA look like. Hate it, you couldn't give me one. They look like some cheap imitation made in China. Kind of liked the feel of the gun and from what I've read they are very good shooters but if it ain't pretty I'd probably just leave it at home.

Well, I think the prewar and early postwar K-22's are beyond "pretty", they're exquisite, at the absolute apex of craftsmanship for a quantity production firearm.

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

As they say, beauty is the eye of the beholder but I won't be holden one of them. (pretty clever, huh) Seems to be a fine gun, just not my cup of tea.

This is what the matte finish looks like beside a little piece of metal shot thru the middle from 10 yards. The accuracy of the thing seems to distract me from the finnish.



I have a picture of a lettuce stealing rabbit shot thru the eye at 25 yards, but it is too graphic for the internet. I have taken multiple squirrels at distances up to 40 yards. It's a shame the finish is all that's holden you back

Leaves more for the rest of us.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

When you put a late 40s-50s era bluing next to a 60s era bluing there is a big difference. One is more matte and the other a deep rich blue. Both have there following. I prefer the 4 screw early sixtys time period but can also appreciate the workman like matte.

So I guess that 1969 Winchesters and U.A.W. Colts were perfect....

Welllll, never say never. I enjoy shopping too much. And yeah, Colt and Winchester blueing has stunk for about the last 50 years. That's why I got a C&R license so I can buy the good stuff. Now that you all have educated me, I did see some that were less shiny, those were probably the matte finish you're referring to. I thought they were just older and not cared for as much. I still think "deep blue" just looks thick so I'll leave those for you guys. I'll save my money and buy more 952s or 52s. I love the blue on the model 52.

The bluing on the frame of my 52 looks like a black mirror.

Exactly. My 52 and 952 look identical. I have to double check when I pick one up. If the k22 looked like that I'd have a few of them.

17 No Dash.

A lot of info on the link below about bluing. The K-22 was just an example of all S&W model's blue changes and styles. In my view most all S&W models and bluing styles follow a similar pattern and time line, there is always the exception of course.

Combat Masterpiece Mirror blue!

I have a 1948 "one liner" K22 and a 1952 K38 that both have the matte blue "dull" finish. It's my understanding that most of the post war-pre numbered models were indeed the matte finish. I too prefer the bright blue finishes but will not reblue for obvious reasons. Jim

bluing is still bluing, yes different degrees of lustre (prep) AND changes in the formulations over the years, but if it LOOK S like "paint" my bet is it some sort of 'coating' and there are LOTS of folks doing this to their guns these days....if you have a 52 and a 942 you KNOW what bluing 'should' look like........any doubt, stay away from it, they can keep ANY & ALL 'coatings'........

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

Hello jag22

The Prewar S&W's had what is called a Bright Bluing finish on them. The fit & Finish of the Prewar Gun's was to me the Height of S&W Quality. After World War II Carl Helstrom took control of the S&W factory. He was the First Non Wesson Family member to run the company and had some Terrific ideas. He was Placed there by Harold Wesson as Harold's Health was failing. One of his ideas was to make the Bright blue finish an Option on all Gun's but the Pre-27's. All other guns coming out of the factory as a standard would now have This new Postwar bluing which had a softer looking less shinny looking bluing to it. The idea was to get gun's out to a Hungry Buying Public, as the factory had not produced civilian guns for almost 6 long years due to the war effort and with this new Matte style bluing meant less time in the final stages of the Polishing process. We saw the matte style blue finish until around 1955 time span. It occurred to S&W that Colt was making strong sales on their Royal Bluing finished gun's so the factory returned to the High Polished Bright blue as a standard offering. Shown below is my 1936 K-22 Outdoorsman with it's factory bright blue finish as well as my 1947 K-22 with it's original matte style bluing and my 4 Screw Non Model stamped K-22 that shipped in June 1956, shown with the Bright blue finish again that S&W returned to...I hope this answer's your questions...







My Prewar 1936 K-22 Outdoorsman shown with it's Factory Red Picture Box with it's High Polished Bright blue finish














My November 1947 Transitional K-22 shown with it's Early Postwar matte style bluing finish with it's box and added Target diamond center stock's as well as with it's correct serial numbered Magna's









My 1947 K-22 Wearing it's correct serial numbered Magna's







This is my 1956 K-22 which is a Four screw variation. These Non Model stamped K-22's had a very short Life span compared to other's as they produced them from only from late 1955 when they dropped the upper side plate screw to mid 1957 time span when S&W started stamping all guns with model number's and the MOD.17 was chosen for the K-22. This one shipped in June of 1956 and is shown with it's corrrect stocks serial numbered to the gun as well as it's correct box, tools & Paperwork, it's finish is the Bright blue style that S&W returned to putting on all K-22's from here, or slightly before 1956 time span onward..

Warn me next time before you post these pictures, I started drooling on my laptop. Thanks for posting the pictures.

take care.