K22 Outdoorsman's Rear Sight Assemblies?

glowe · #1 05-09-2018, 06:53 PM

I am wondering if there is any way to know when the rear sight on the Pre-WWII changed from 2 screws to 3 screws? Also, if anyone has images of the top of a 2nd Model rear sight I would like to see one.

The first picture is from my 1931 ship date K22 1st, while the second is from my last year produced 1st Model rear sight. I have been looking through K22 Outdoorsman's revolvers for sale and ran across a couple that claim to be 2nd Model with the same 3 screw rear sight as I have shown.

DWalt · #2 05-09-2018, 06:56 PM

I think all of the second models had micrometer sights and also the short action.

rct269 · #3 05-09-2018, 08:06 PM

First of all, I'm assuming what you're calling a 3 screw sight is the one found on all hand ejector revolvers from 1932 to 1942-----not counting the 22/40 (K-22 Second Model)---with one screw up front attaching the sight to the frame, and two screws aft which are (both) used for elevation adjustment and locking.

The 22/40 sight is the so-called "Micrometer" model, subsequently used on post-war revolvers. The top view of the Micrometer sight on a 22/40 will show you the sight (per se) and the tang. The only significant difference in the pre and post war versions (of the Micrometer sight) is the tang-----fit to the gun, polished with the gun, and finished the same as the gun (pre-war)----all of which is to say it looks like it grew there---the post war version's tang is grooved to match the barrel rib----isn't fit to anything----simply bolted on------and DWalt is correct (All 2nd Models carried the Micrometer sight.).

Ralph Tremaine

And up there where I said the "3 screw" sight is found on all hand ejector revolvers from 1932 to 1942, I probably should have said all K and N frame target revolvers----just in case there are some I frame models which differ. I don't know about those, and my I frames are pre 1932 versions.

DCWilson · #4 05-09-2018, 09:28 PM

I have K-22 OD 646390, which has both the adjustment and locking screw at the back of the sight assembly in addition to the mounting screw up front. At one point this was the lowest known number on which such a rear sight was found. A lower number may have turned up in the last six or seven years. My revolver was shipped in April 1934.

Not to muddy the waters, but there are people (and I am one of them) who refer to the different OD sights as one-screw and two-screw sights on the grounds that the front screw is common to all of them and can be taken for granted. The real distinction is whether there is one screw or two at the adjustable end of the sight foot. In older posts on this forum I have referred to the sight on my OD as a two-screw sight, so I am talking about the sight configuration in the second photo of the first post in this thread.

rct269 · #5 05-09-2018, 09:58 PM

You're in pretty good company, David----I knew what Gary was talking about when he said "3 screw", since there's only one that fits; but I'd never heard them referred to as anything but "2 screw".

Ralph Tremaine

glowe · #6 05-10-2018, 04:12 PM

Thanks guys. So the best estimate for the the change from single screw to two screws would be 1932, and the two screw ran up to WWII. Interesting that we count all but the mainspring screw on the K frame, including screws that do completely different things, but do not count all the screws on the target sight. Now I suppose that one could also count the side adjustment screws as well. The confusing world of counting screws on a revolver.

Also, I assume that the 2nd Model target sight looks like the post-war sights with the micrometer elevation adjustment, but did it have the micrometer windage adjustment or still use the two screws? Never looked over a 2nd Model in person.

rct269 · #7 05-10-2018, 05:42 PM

2nd Model sight has one windage screw---presumably opposed by a spring (instead of an opposing screw)---a la the King sight (which I've had apart). I've never had a S&W Micrometer sight apart, because I've never had the need, and I'm told something gets broken in the process---and needs to be replaced----sounded like a hassle.

Ralph Tremaine

S&W ucla · #8 05-10-2018, 08:09 PM

Don't have pic of elevation. K22/40 Masterpiece aka 2nd Model.

glowe · #9 05-10-2018, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S&W ucla

Don't have pic of elevation. K22/40 Masterpiece aka 2nd Model.

Thanks, just as Ralph describes and just like my Masterpiece revolver windage screws.

S&W ucla · #10 05-11-2018, 11:23 PM

I guess better late than never?

K 22/40 Masterpiece rear sight.