MY friend purchased a 1952 K-22 Masterpiece this weekend at a show in montrose Co. He also picked up a dark blue box with Ser# 244027 on the end for a 6", K-22 Masterpiece. The number indicates that it would be for a 1955 gun. The box is slightly shorter than another later box that he has and the 6" K-22 will not fit in the box. I am thinking mis labeled box??? Any ideas?

The box could have been for a Combat Masterpiece, which has a 4" barrel. K244027 could have shipped in 1954-55.

Wouldn't that have had a shorter box since it was a 4"?

Won't the 6-inch K-22 fit diagonally in the blue box?

This may be a dumb question but is your 6" K-22 that wont fit in the box wearing target stocks or Magnas ?

this^^ boxes for magnas were slightly smaller with the metal corners having 4 holes. Boxes for Target stocks were slightly larger with the metal corners having 5 holes.

That serial number was manufactured in 1955 so I would not have shipped in 1954, but maybe as late as 1956.

The 6" Masterpiece box would be close to 12.5" long, while the correct length for a 4" Combat Masterpiece would be under 10" long., BUT the label would read "Masterpiece" or "Combat Masterpiece" if original. Unless the revolver was originally sent with Target stocks, the box would be a 4 hole metal corner. I have, however, a matching Gold box and set of uncommonly serial number stamped target stocks that came with an early post-war 6" K22 Masterpiece and the box is a 4 hole metal corner box. Apparently, the gun was already complete with fitted Magnas and the buyer also ordered a set of targets from the factory. If wrapped in paper, they would fit fine in the box, so maybe that is how the gun was shipped?? It is correct that the Target stocks do not fit in the standard boxes, so N frame boxes were used and re-labeled. It seems that there are exceptions to every rule when it comes to S&W.

I found a couple of images that might be of interest. The two Masterpiece revolvers with Targets and one with Magnas in their standard Gold Boxes. The second shows the difference in height between the K frame and N frame boxes.

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	P1010002.jpg (141.6 KB, 56 views)
	P101002.jpg (76.4 KB, 36 views)

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Gary
SWCA 2515

The inside of my 17-2 box measures 12 1/16" The gun will not fit in the box with the S&W target grips i added. Gun bought in 10/1968 new for $98 Serial # K78794X.

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S&W K22 M17-2.jpg (183.7 KB, 24 views)