Please help to identify my new/old revolver

[Smittyweston]

Hi folks!

I'm new to the forums. My name is Jeff and I'm in the SW corner of Pennsylvania.

I recently purchased a revolver from a local gun dealer who had labeled it as a K-17 Masterpiece. Anyway! prior to coming here for the quick, easy, down and dirty, I searched the web until I have become even more confused then I was at the start of this endeavor. I do however believe it is a fairly early K-22.

This particular revolver is blued with a 6" pinned barrel. A target style front sight and adjustable rear sight for both elevation and windage. It is a five screw and appears to be in original condition with stock grips and about 95% blue. The serial numbers match on the frame, cylinder and barrel and the serial number is K 165XXX.

The gun shoots great (very heavy double action trigger pull) and it works flawlessly.

I'm hoping someone can tell me exactly what I have as well as the approximate value since I'm considering selling it to fund a new purchase.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

[arjay]

That's a nice one.Its a k-22 Masterpiece from about 1952.They didn't get model numbers until 57 or 58.Look closely on the inside of the right grip.Ill bet you find the serial number there too.

[gmborkovic]

Hello new guy, you said you recently bought your K-17. What is it worth? What did you pay for it? Did you buy for fun or re-sale? Around about $600-$800. Naturally depending on condition and demand. Best

[Smittyweston]

I appreciate your input. I'd like to pin down the exact year just because its bugging me to no end not knowing. I guess I bought it to shoot alongside my Browning Black Label Regal 1911-22 but since I did well on the purchase price... Well below your approximations, I could sell to buy something else just for the fun of it. I'll check the grip here shortly. Oh! And my father informed me yesterday he has one of the same guns in the 128XXX range which is all original except someone buggered the front sight up with a file.

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

Arjay nailed the production year, probably the last half of the year, and your dad's is from the last half of 1951. They were not produced in # order so no one can be sure. You can verify the exact shipping date which will be later than production, but not the date it was produced.

[Smittyweston]

Thanks Jim! I did not know that.

Jeff

[DWalt]

My best guess based upon other SNs I have on my list is that SN K165xxx shipped around early 1953, but was manufactured in 1952.
K136,691 – K175,637...1952 (manufacture).

"K128XXX range"
K104,048 – K136,690...1951 (manufacture). I'd agree a late 51 - early 52 shipment is likely.

[Club Gun Fan]

Originally Posted by gmborkovic

Hello new guy, you said you recently bought your K-17. What is it worth? What did you pay for it? Did you buy for fun or re-sale? Around about $600-$800. Naturally depending on condition and demand. Best

Why not ask him what he was wearing when he bought it? What he paid for it is none of my business as it should be for all of us.

[Smittyweston]

Hey Arjay,

You were spot on. I checked the right grip panel and its numbers matching. Makes me like it that much more. And I was wearing the same old jeans my wife always yells about and a Harley shirt as is also the norm. No big deal on the question though... It really does not matter what I paid for it because I still would not sell it unless I got what I wanted.

I really appreciate every-ones input!

[steelslaver]

Welcome to the forum. You might try taking off the grips again and while they are off spray some carb or brake cleaner in all the opening to the frame and cycling it a few times. Then spray in a bit of light oil. It may have never been apart and the original oil from 1952 would be very gummy or completely solid. May well help that double action pull a bunch.

[Peak53]

Why would you even consider trading off your very classic, very accurate K-22 Masterpiece? This is one of the best revolvers SW ever made. Shoot it and be amazed at how good you are By the way, your dealer contributed to your confusion. The K-22 became the Model 17 about 1958 as noted by Arjay.

[Smittyweston]

Thanks for the tip Steelslaver. I've never done that before but I think I might give it a try.

Well Peak53, I'm not saying I don't like the old stuff, I do! However, I'm more into the newer stuff, In particular semi autos and some long range tactical rifles. And I'm a pretty good shot with most any handgun. I didn't have space to mention it in my bio area but I'm an NRA certified police firearms instructor... pistol, shotgun and rifle. I thought the dealer may have been in error but I wanted the gun no matter its nomenclature so I just pulled the trigger, so to speak!

[chud333]

Fine gun the K-22 Masterpiece.
You'll hear it called the pre-17 as well up until they
started marking them in the yoke.
Now you need a K-22 Combat Masterpiece as it's mate.
Same basic gun but with 4" barrel.

Top 18-2 wearing targets
Bottom pre-18 wearing original magnas



Chuck

[Nightowl]

OK, Smittyweston, we are all different folks with our own backgrounds, desires, and what makes us enjoy life. But having said that, I would advise to keep the gun!! It is a very nice K22, they don't come along very often, they shoot great and forever. You cannot wear one out, but maybe need to replace the hand once in awhile.
I speak from experience! I have sold several guns back in my younger days to fund changing shooting paths, but some years later, found that I wished I had kept it as I my shooting paths came back again and needed that old gun back! The replacements were not the same, and generally cost more.
You should follow your own path, just sayin...........

[H Richard]

The K22 has been a better investment that any savings account. In addition to all the years of enjoyment, my K22 (bought new in 1985 for about $250) is now worth up around $700 or so, and probably more before I ever let loose of it. Not a bad ROI plus years of pleasure.

[Old TexMex]

There will never be more of them and the ones there are, will never be worth less.
Consider value rather than price before turning loose that .22

[Smittyweston]

Originally Posted by chud333

Fine gun the K-22 Masterpiece.
You'll hear it called the pre-17 as well up until they
started marking them in the yoke.
Now you need a K-22 Combat Masterpiece as it's mate.
Same basic gun but with 4" barrel.

Top 18-2 wearing targets
Bottom pre-18 wearing original magnas



Chuck

Wow! Two beautiful examples and I like the way you think about trying to purchase all of a similar line. In fact, I have a wonderful Model 15 with a 4" barrel that I would never sell as it was a gift from my father when I graduated from the academy. He pulled it out of a box of police trade ins from Hawaii for $85 and then brought it up to the level it is now. I'll try to post a pic.

[Smittyweston]

There are certainly a good number of you folks that love the K-22. I like seeing all of the support for this particular revolver. That's real passion!!! I'm still gonna sell it but sometime in the future when I'm wishing I didn't, I'll remember what you guys said.

[Smittyweston]

So I'm back to pick your brains again.. Listed my K-22 for $650 and got a call right away. The gentleman has not seen the revolver yet and all sounded good to him until he ask if the front sight was pinned. It isn't! So... He felt it was not original and had been buggered with. Any comments from those that know best?

[arjay]

Its pinned
Just a good polishing job,is all

[Smittyweston]

Thanks arjay! Always one of the first with a response and a correct response at that! I got out the magnifying glass and was still barely able to see the pin. I appreciate your help. I was worried there for a minute.

Jeff

[murphydog]

Now the countdown to "I wish I'd kept it" begins .

PS Go Navy!

[Smittyweston]

I don't doubt your for a minute but I've lived through those moments previously and hope to do so again! Hey! It may not sale and that will make keeping it a no brainer!

[Smittyweston]

I missed your PS..... GO NAVY!!!

[Hondo44]

We've all been fooled a time or two. I learned a long time ago not to believe my eyes unless I used magnification. Or believe info provided by others when something sounds strange unless they've used a good light source and 10X!

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, J.A.!

[Smittyweston]

Well! As indicated in some of the other strings, Sales and prices on the K-22 are a bit soft at the moment so it hasn't sold. And I'm okay with that since I've had it out twice more with friends and family and it is such a fun and accurate shooter. Probably the second best revolver I've ever owned, second only to my model 15. I guess I'll hold onto it for awhile.