I was fortunate in an auction today and won an early K22. I had previewed the auction, and was able to get from Roy the ship date was July 1931. I rate the condition as about 75% (all original) finish and mechanically perfect with all matching numbers on every correct part. Of course I immediately tore it down, and yes it had about 80+ years of old oil and dirt in it, but was very smooth in the action. The BC gap is barely .006 and lock up is as good as my 617-6 or 17-4. The top photo shows the U NOtch rear sight, but the Call Gold bead front sight doesn't show up too well. Of course it had no box and it had incorrect grips on it. (I am assuming the grips are incorrect as they were a Ivory colored material?plastic type molded as a diamond centered magna. I don't believe they could be factory correct).
Thanks to a fellow forum member had just obtained a set of correct type, service grips with the s/n just 12151 #'s newer than my gun, and they fit pretty well. Have to include some pictures of course.










The grips that were on it I'd like to know if anyone is familiar with. They are solid backed and seem to be copy of a magna.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Congrats on the K-22. One of my most favorite S&W's.

I have no idea on the plastic grips. They look to have been molded after a post war 1950's set of K magnas.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Wow, nice! And those grips look familiar. Glad they could go on such a nice piece.

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Get off my lawn!

Very nice catch. I think you may be underestimating the condition at 75%. The photos seem to me to show 80 or even a little better.

The synthetic grips are interesting. I agree they imitate a '50s style of magna stocks. They seem to be molded of a material that is both slightly porous and characterized by a kind of long grain, like some polymers -- but that could be the effect of tool marks. Interesting that there is no maker's mark on them.

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David Wilson

Good snag and thanks for posting the nice pictures. Of course we're jealous (of course!).

Seems you had a nice day. The U notch is uncommon on the pre-war 22 outdoorsman. Nice sight combo helping out the accuracy. Let us know how it shoots. Nice catch, Larry

Fantastic purchase

jsfricks, thanks for the grips. I had been watching this item for over a month, as it was an on line as well as local auction. When I saw your grips for sale I knew I had to have a place to put them. Surprisingly I didn't have too much competition on the bidding, and won the K22 for $450. I had been prepared to go quite a bit higher.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

$450? $450? Seriously? An amazing gun at an equally amazing price! Congratulations!

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Peter
S&WCA #2620

Don't ever turn your nose up at fake ivory grips. Out and about there really are some N frame grips made of a material called Ivorite. Yes, its a form of plastic and the only one's I've seen and felt in person were great. Those have become hen's teeth in a world of chickens. I agree the profile is wrong for the one's you've got and I've not seen (nor do I know if they made) K frame examples. Still, keep your eyes open. Its one of those rarities the old timers (like me) quietly seek.

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Dick Burg

Dick, these are K Frame size, and don't fit too bad. They are solid. It looks like someone made a mold from a 50's Magna, then cast these in this ivory type plastic. On the right gun they might look very nice. If you "need" them give me a PM.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

very cool, thanks for sharing

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

Very nice find - and at an amazing price. You did well. Thanks for sharing,

Jerry