I sold my 1957 Pre 17 about six months ago and might be looking to add an early post war one liner Pre 17 to my collection. What are the values on these in 95-98% condition? What exactly are the Transitional models?

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Get off my lawn!

The Transitional model has some pre-war K-22 features, like the large ended ejector rod (went away first) and the single line "Made in U.S.A." rollmark on the right frame. If you search the 1896-1961 section for today's posts, I think some well-informed members suggested $750-800 for the single-line version; the large rod end type would go much higher, I think.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks Alan. What kind of price on the same condition 1st model Outdoorsmans, 1931-1940? I found one in 97% without box but its in beautiful condition.

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Get off my lawn!

That sounds to be a $1200+ gun, I think, but others here may differ (DC Wilson, where are you? ).

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

The answer is: It depends, but the range I would expect to see for a 97%+ gun would be in the $900 to $1,200 range [Edited to read $900 to $1,500 for 97%], depending on where you live, what vintage the OD (1 screw RS, 2 screw RS, Gold or "brilliant Call bead FS), what options are on the OD (HBH or regular hammer), and of course what makes up the 3% flaws...

For example:

Early K-22 Outdoorsman (1-Screw RS, Gold Call bead FS 1st year gun, 99%++)



Late K-22 Outdoorsman (2-Screw RS, Brilliant Call bead FS, HBH, 1938 gun, 99%):




FOR 97% guns: I would expect the large ejector rod knob post war K-22's to be in the $800 to $1,100 range (see factors above). And the one-liner K-22's to be only a slight premium to your basic 4 line 5-screw K-22s - somewhere in the $700-$900 range. Asking prices may be much higher, but I would expect them to change hands in the above range.

NOTE: In general, there were no true "transitional" Post-war K-22's. Transitional generally has the prewar long action hammer. The early post-war K-22's (through about K5500) generally have a large ejector rod and one-line "Made in USA". Other than those two feature, they are identical to the many later 5-screw K-22s:

Here is an example of a post-war, large ejector rod knob K-22 Masterpiece:



The pre-war K-22s and early post war K-22s are some of my favorite S&W's.

Good Luck,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I pretty much agree with what has been said above. Anybody would be extremely lucky to get a prewar K-22 Outdoorsman in high 90s condition for less than $1000. A likelier price would be north of $1200, and maybe $1500 or higher for one with a box.

Among postwar guns, I think a dedicated hunter of varieties might pay $100 more for a single line specimen compared to a four line gun in the same condition. Among one-liners, the large ejector rod knob might boost the price $100-150 more for varietal collectors. But I suspect some sellers are unfamiliar with the large knob and one-line distinctions, perhaps lumping all five-screw pre-17s together. Many buyers may be detail-insensitive as well, so there is room for the occasional lucky purchase.

The ones I am a little perplexed about these days are the K-22 Second Models, or K-22/40s (barely a thousand manufactured just before WWII). A couple of years ago boxed specimens at 90% or above could still be seen changing hands for $2000-2500, and now I have the feeling that they just aren't available. I have heard of them being offered privately at asking prices over $4000 and once over $5000. Has anyone observed any recent sales that bear on this question?

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David Wilson

Ok, thanks for all this. I found the pre war on a website for $1650 w/o box but I saw last night that it sold a few days ago on GB for $1450.
I've also found a post war one liner with TT,TH, and Target diamond stocks and standard ejector rod in 98% for $800 w/o box. Sounds like that might be a decent price.

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Get off my lawn!

Show us the pictures when you buy it!

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Sometimes they just fall in your lap. # 4339 K, absolutely no XXX's, shipped 9-23-1947. Transition revolver. $825 at the Big Reno show in 2010. I bought it as it was a low number. Didn't have a clue as to the one line or large ejector knob. I bought it for a shooter, but it is now a safe queen. This K22 pretty much got me interested in S&W's. Big Larry

Wow, that was a bargain!

Does this combination of features sound non-original to any one other than me?

Yep, target items would appear up above K 100,000 or even higher. They can be retrofitted to early ones, but it kills the collector interest and value.

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Dick Burg

Yes - I think that that one just sold on GB, the three T's would not be correct for a one-liner gun. However, if it was the one on GB, it was a "tricked-out" beauty, albeit not original on the three T's.

Here's a link to the closed auction:

Smith & Wesson S&W K-22 Masterpiece 6" 22 LR : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Despite not being original after looking at all the great photos in the GB link I wanted it anyway. All it needs is a speed hammer, service trigger and magnas to be a highly desirable one liner. All I didn’t like was the price but it seems I don’t like any GB prices anymore.

Yes, that was the one I was talking about but after thinking it over I thought I would keep looking. But that's good to know that it wasn't original, but I did like that trigger and hammer.

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Get off my lawn!

Well I worked a deal on a nice one today from around 1937, in beautiful condition with original box which is just as nice. Correct me if I'm wrong on the date, serial is 6634xx. These pics will have to do until it gets here.

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Get off my lawn!

Just finding a LGS stocked with S&W revolvers is “exceptionally rare” in my area. You found a keeper. The box is amazing considering that it’s over 80 year old card board. Great stocks to!

Wow, that is a beautiful Outdoorsman!

As for collector value, it loses a lot of value and interest IMHO due to the fact it is missing it's original numbered stocks. The other stuff can be had, but not the original, high horn, numbered magnas. Big Larry

I currently own a K 22 masterpiece, Ser#696952. It is, according to my research., the last serial number made. The revolver is in at least 95 % condition. As soon as I can upload photos, I will do so. This gun is going to be sold, as soon as I can find a new home for it.

For a couple of weeks now I've been admiring a 5-screw post-war K-22 with a K53XXX serial number in a local gun shop for $975 (on consignment). Just today a second one showed up. The store owner said it was his (he'd just purchased it the day before). He had it for sale for $799 and it was almost exactly the same, except it was a K19XXX serial number (which is 1948 I think) and it had a one line "Made in USA" on the right of the frame whereas the K53XXX one I'd been admiring had four lines. I bought the one-line K19XXX one today.

I think both of these K-22 revolvers were made in 1948 actually. Both were in excellent condition, however the K53XXX four-line was slightly better perhaps. I checked that both had matching serial numbers on the cylinders (printed without the "k" prefix). I did not remove the grips and check the numbers there though. Another slight difference between them was the color of the wood in the grips: the K53XXX was lighter colored. The K19XXX I purchased had some nail polish on the front sight too, but I suppose that can be easily removed. Otherwise they both looked great! I'm new to collecting (this is really my 1st collection type gun purchase) so I don't know what % I'd rate them.

Welcome to the Forum, the K22s are great guns. I'm still looking for one from 1949. If in nice condition the price you paid sounds reasonable, actually more than reasonable, for a "one liner." Nice to have original grips with the gun's SN but they've often been switched and certainly wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if they were. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457