Again I was lucky to find a close to mint K 22 Combat Masterpiece in it's original Gold Box with the correct number written in pencil on the bottom. The gun looks like it has never been used and the box has only minor storage marks. I must say that I like the gold boxes with their embossed lid. The gun came with a air of grips that someone for some reason changed against the original diamond Magnas (why change grips on a gun you don't shoot with?) The previous owner said that these could eventually be of S & W origin. They have no S & W logo or any other markings. So I changed them against a pair which is period correct. The grips have a few chips and I will try to find a better pair which really matches the condition of the gun. The SN is K 114558 - so it should be from 1951. It has no German proof marks which I really don't like. I will not shoot this goodie - I have enough guns which were used - so why shoot with a virgin gun? I hope you like the pictures and share my happiness about this buy.
Rainer

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That's a beauty.

Yes, It is.

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John 3:16 .

Very nice.

Please show us a picture of the other grips. We may be able to ID them for you.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Handsome piece indeed.

Thanks for your kind words.
Here are two pictures of the grips which might be from the same period as the gun. Thanks for any information about these.
Rainer

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What a great looking firearm. I love the vivid colors on the trigger. That box looks extra "minty".

Well done!

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Dave

Great gun and photos. As to the grips that were on the gun when you bought it - I've never seen any like it. they look to be one-of-a-kind custom grips - perhaps made by a previous owner. Hence the reason that they were on the gun - he needed a "canvas" to display his work...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

A very nice early gun and (I would think) a rare find given your location.

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John
S&WCA Life Member

Very fine! That is collectable.

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John

I applaud you for not shooting this beauty, I'm one that would have to shoot it.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Very,very nice. I would love to find that package!

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Get off my lawn!

That's lovely and truly appears to be in "as shipped" condition. I think it's good that some of those guns are kept in that condition so that we can see what they looked like when S&W was at the height of that type of manufacturing.

I have K22 CM 136153, and it's in good condition, not perfect but very nice, just fine for shooting, and shoot it does. It's like a laser.

Your comment about German proofmarks is interesting. What are the issues about the fact that your gun is not German proofed that cause you concern? Would it not have been proofed when it was imported? If you don't want to answer that it's fine--I'm just curious.

Fact is that every gun which is imported to Germany needs proof marks. Either German proof marks or a proof mark of one of the countries which proof marks are accepted here. I think of Belgium or Finland. If a gun has no "valid" proof mark, it may not be sold by a dealer. Exceptions are collectible guns. However, you are not allowed to use a gun without valid proof marks for shooting. Sounds strange - but that's the law. For me it's not a big deal if a guns has proof marks or not. The only point is, that some of our proof houses put their stamps on a nice collectible gun at the oddest places so that you see them at a first glance. This was especially true in the past. You must remember that guns receive the proof marks when they are finished which does not make them look better. Today, fortunately use laser etching for the proof marks. Some even have such an understanding for us collectors, that the put the marks on hidden places. Every major part has to be marked: frame, cylinder and barrel when it is a revolver. The proof house has special ammo which is loaded really hot. So if the gun does not withstand this ammo it does not receive the proof marks.Who wants a blown up gun with proof marks? This method of finding out the durability of a gun is especially interesting in the case of wildcat cartridges. I used to shoot a lot of these when I was in the Silhouette Shooting business and made my experience with the proof house methods. They nearly managed to ruin my XP 100 Unlimited gun in 7 x 57 Mauser Improved. Instead of using the next heavier bullet or the same load of powder, but one grade faster burning, the used 10 extra grains of really fast powder. Resulting in a broken Canjar trigger, a split rear grip stock and a "frozen action" I had to open with a wooden mallet. The gun itself was ok and shot a lot of 40 x 40 scores. I better write a book than blocking the forum, but I hope that gives you a slight inside view of German proof marks.
Rainer

Thank you, Rainer. That is essentially what I thought the issue was, but thanks for taking the time to clarify some of the intricacies.

The color case hardening really makes the gun pop.