Hi all new poster here. I have inherited my grandfathers K 22 serial number 5449XX it is in 98% condition looking to have been fired very little; probably less than 25 rounds through it. Could you please give me approximate production date for it. Also can I use this gun at the range (carefully) without harming it's value?
Thanks for your help,
Bill

Hello WDS, welcome. I have no dates on K22s. As far as shooting it, heck yes. By all means. Get a nice transit padded rug and go to the range.
The old guys at S&W designed and built that gun to enjoy. So, go to the range. Just do your self a favor, dont store the gun in the rug and every once in a while when you clean, take the grips off and wipe the frame and inside of the grips off. Gets the hand salts off of there. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Welcome! Here is a good post for needed ID information:

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

I am guessing it has a K in front of the 5449xx on the bottom of the grip frame, which would make it a 1963 gun. If there is no K it is more likely 6449xx, and is from the 1930s.

If you keep it in a soft, non-abrasive case, keep the exterior waxed (Renaissance or Johnson's Paste) and know how to maintain it with non-abrasive cleaners you can shoot it pretty much as much as you want without having it appear so. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Closest SN on my list to K5449xx is K5442xx which shipped in 6/64. Keep it cleaned and waxed.

Thank you for your replies. After reading about identifying your gun I went back and looked things over again. Here's what I found: serial number is 644925, 22 long rifle ctg, 6" barrel, pre war adjustable sights. I believe this gun to be from the early 30's as I was told my grandfather bought this for protection because they lived in the "stix" back then. Thanks for all the pointers on maintaining my piece one question though can I use automotive paste wax to wax my gun? Thanks to all
Bill

You have a K22 Outdoorsman.Lucky you! A nice one is probably worth twice what a comparable post war gun would be.

644925 without a K prefix would likely date your K22's shipment to sometime in 1932. Unfortunately, those on my SN list which are close to yours have shipping dates scattered between mid-1932 and mid-1934. That's the way things were during the Great Depression, little correlation between shipping dates and SNs. You would have to get a factory letter if you want an exact shipping date. It's fairly certain that it was made in 1932 and could have shipped up to 2 years later. About any wax will serve the purpose, even shoe polish if need be. I use Johnson's paste wax. Others feel Renaissance Wax, which is pretty expensive stuff, is better but I don't.

I think pictures are in order since we don't see many 98% 85 year olds!

We don't see many 90% 63 year olds either,....not even me.;-P

Thanks guys for all of your help, I'll get the camera charged up and some pics up in the next few days
Bill

Here's a few pics, sorry for the poor quality
Bill

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That's a great K-22 Outdoorsman! It looks like it might have a Call gold bead on the front sight. That's a $1500 revolver around these parts. With box and docs 2K plus.
Bill

That's a fine looking Outdoorsman. Your Grandfather obviously had an eye for quality and knew how to properly care for a revolver.

Congratulations on having such a wonderful heirloom.

That's a beautiful example.Dont use auto wax on it,they all have abrasives in them.Johnsons paste wax works well,but if you want the best,order some Renaissance wax from Amazon or eBay.

Wow, beautiful! 98% just as you said it was.

That's a beautiful example of what is a holy grail gun to a lot of Smith guys.

Those pre-war K22 Outdoorsman revolvers were finished on a par with anything Smith ever did, including the Registered Magnum.

Terrific gun you have there, and the pics are fine--a good representation of the condition of the gun.

"Dont use auto wax on it,they all have abrasives in them"

Really? I've never heard that before. Please name one that does. Rubbing compounds and polishes for auto paint are abrasive, but there is no reason for waxes for automotive use to have any abrasive contents.

Beautiful gun; thanks for sharing the pictures. That's quite an entrance! The grain of the grips is superb. Given its condition, I would suggest splurging for the Ren wax; it deserves it. As a previous poster suggested, getting the grips off and cleaning the frame would be good as well.

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50 Years of DSOTM

If you use the Ren wax apply it with a finger. Spread it around until it gets tacky and then polish with a fine cloth.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

Beautiful Smith! You are one lucky fellow to say the least. I have an old pre numbered model, serial no. is K 170xx. I would guess it was made right after the war probably, everything matches including the grips.

K615 – K18,731…........1947

Thanks for all of the fine comments and suggestions. My grandfather was an avid collector of antique firearms and really knew quality when he saw it. I guess the next step will to be getting papers from the factory, I would like to see where my grandfather purchased it from. Yes I agree I am really a lucky guy to have inherited such a fine piece; it will be passed onto my son one day for him to appreciate as well.
Bill

Also I thank DWalt for dating my K 22. WDS56, your idea about passing it on is also to be commended, I have some dating back to my great granddad to pass on.

That is a very nice example, very few survived the last 80 years or so in that condition.

Here is the link to obtain the factory letter:

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

The thing about Renaissance Wax is it was developed just for this purpose, top protect valuable antique and rare articles. It can be used on metal of any kind, wood and leather. If the British government trusts it to protect their collection of armor and weapons in the Tower of London it's good enough for my handguns.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Polish and wax are 2 different animals as their name implies.
I used to buy older cars, think 3 year old Dodge chargers for example, Cudas and 396 SS's. On old paint polish was used to remove the outer oxidation and heal some scratches etc. Wax is used to seal and protect. Think Carnuba.
Check the link by a professional.

Difference Between Car Wax & Car Polish & Why it Matters