I found a 1955 K-22 for sale. It has been "Pawn Shop" engraved. I was thinking I'd get it as a shooter. The gun overall is in good shape mechanically, locks up tight, etc. Original asking price is $850. Thinking about offering in the $600 range. Can the engraving be buffed out by somebody like Fords?

Call the owner a jerk and look for another.

I’m not familiar with the concept of “pawn shop” engraving, so I can’t envision the relative damage. Did someone engrave the words “pawn shop” on the gun?

Without a picture it’s impossible to assess what is pretty much entirely a visual issue. How much area does the engraving cover, how deep is it, etc.

Most I've seen is through the finish and isn't going to buff out. Now, if you "buff" hard enough and long enough with the right "grit" you'll get rid of it, along with all the factory stamps too. Probably can't fix it and unless it was done by someone like Wolf & Klar with some provenance it doesn't enhance value as is; probably reduces value. I'd find a nice original finish one for your $600. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I'm calling it pawn shop engraving from reading threads here. Some call it wriggle or wiggle engraving. From what I have read, it was done a lot by a company called Wolf and Klar back in the day. On this particular gun, it's through the original finish, mostly a scroll work pattern. Looks better from a distance. Probably about as deep as pitting can get.

THIS IS GREAT ADVICE ! ! ! THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A GUN TO STEER CLEAR OF, UNLESS YOU BUY IT DIRT CHEAP, WITH THE INTENTION OF WORRY FREE WOODS WALKING, WITH THE GUN AS IS, ETC......

I DOUBT THAT ENGRAVING CAN BE SIMPLY "BUFFED OUT". AFTER YOU SPEND BIG MONEY, WITH AN OUTFIT LIKE FORDS, YOU WILL STILL HAVE A REFINISHED GUN. IT WOULD PROBABLY BE WORTH LESS, THAN WHAT YOU HAVE INVESTED IN IT........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I've seen bad pitting removed by draw file work by a very good gunsmith, with no loss of original roll marks, followed by a complete re-bluing. This did not increase value to the level of a gun with original bluing in good shape, but rescued a gun that would have had little value as it was (never store a gun an old fashioned flannel lined gun case).

So it would be if you found a pro to remove the engraving you don't like. It would increase the value of the gun but probably less than the cost of the work, so it would not be a good business proposition. But it would make it more enjoyable to own.

As to Wolf and Klar engraving and the value it might impart to a specific revolver -- that would take more research.

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S&W Rover

If you or someone else does the buffing, the gun will look even worse than it does now. In my opinion, the gun is over-priced at $600. The seller would jump if you offered that much.

Don't!

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Back when I was 'smithing we also had an electroless nickel set-up.

We got in a 1911 with super-deep engraving on the top of the slide that the owner insisted had to go. I filed it all off, then bead-blasted the whole gun and nickled 'er up.

Definitely not original but it made a great carry piece and it made the customer happy.

That K-22 has zero collector's value; I'd offer them $400 since you're looking for a shooter.

I've learned a long time ago not to buy other peoples problems. At that price point I would look for a unmolested one.

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Stay safe people!

"Pawn shop" or "Mexican border" engraving is usually done with an electric pencil and looks very amateurish.

It wouldn't buff out even with a heavy grit and look good. The flat planes would be wavy. They'd need to be laboriously flat sanded and then polished. And very difficult to leave factory lettering if the engraving gets anywhere near them.

About the only decent way to fix is to 'flow' brazing to fill the engraving, sand/polish flat, and nickel plate, dura-coat, etc. Even doing that you'd have to get the gun for $200 to keep it from being a money pit!

If you bought it at $600, you wouldn't be able to show it to your friends....

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Jim
S&WCA #819

don't walk away from this gun...****N!!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I have a 1951 K-22 that is almost perfect in every way, except for an electro-pencilled drivers license number in the side plate. I paid $400 for it not terribly long ago. I think that one is way overpriced.

Buy the gun, knowing what it is, then leave it alone, that way you'll have a great shooter. If anyone asks fib about the price you paid for it.

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Always Stay Strong!

You can buff any engraving out but you might end up with just one side of the gun.

Please post a few pictures. That way we will know what we are commenting on.....

A Wolf & Klar example of pawn shop engraving:


Photo by bettis1

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Jim
S&WCA #819

A 16 grit wheel will take all that off.

I recently bought a decwnt shooter with most of its original bluiing for $479.. a little frecking on the sideplate, but overall pretty good....i would say keep looking.


https://www.gunbroker.com/item/786967686



Robert

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

I read that you can't polish a tootsie roll expecting it to be other than still a tootsie roll. I wouldn't ever admit I paid even $600 for it. Pawn shops around here think all old big name guns are good as gold even if it is fools gold.

If you are considering buying the gun and refinishing it/having it refinished because the existing engraving is crude/offensive to your liking,,then just look at that engraving as nothing more than pitting/rust damage on the gun.
Would you pay the same $600 to $800 for the same gun if it was covered with rust and pits and needed to be refinished to please you?

Probably not. You'd most likely say to yourself I can find a better shooter grade condition gun that doesn't need to be refinished that can be bought for the same price.

I fail to see the reason for the animosity toward the seller; I’d call asking $850 misguided, not evil...until he did the engraving.

I also agree with looking elsewhere for a K-22, unless the engraving speaks to you in some positive way (in other words, not “ugh” ).

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

In all my years playing with guns I can't remember ever benefiting from insulting any seller, I have to admit I've tried hard not to(even though I've felt some deserve it)?
OP, if you buff through the pawn shop engraving deep enough to make it disappear, you'll have removed enough metal to weaken the metal IMHO. Probably not enough to affect .22s but, still you have removed all markings(including factory stampings).
Just my $.02, Steve

The revolver can be refinished to like new condition without damaging the metal as long as it's done by a professional gunsmith. For example, I chose to send my 4" HB model 10-8 police trade in to S&W to get the "reblue & polish service. It had minor pitting on the side plate, heavy holster wear on the muzzle and front of the cylinder and a PD markings that were a dot matrix stampings on the side of the frame. S&W removed all the markings and the gun came back several months later looking like a brand new gun... It can be done as long as it's done right but at a cost. S&W charges $220. On top of what i paid for the revolver I could have gotten a new one. but not a new 10-8 from '85. But that was my choice.

And that is something to consider when buying a used gun. If it was me. I'd pass on this revolver & look for another similar model that is clean. They'res many out there, and cheaper.

At $600 when you're through restoring it you'll have too much money in it, and have a restored gun. Better to take that $600 plus the restoration cost and buy an original unrestored K22.

Post #12 says it all.

I just found a 1955 K22 locally, gun looks in 90%+..No box..

He's asking $800 I'm going to see how low he will go..

Yup. WAY too much money. If anything offer them $300-$350. If they refuse,walk away.For $600-$800 you can find a nice example that, while not perfect, is far better cosmetically and is still the original finish.

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

Some good advice above. With a bit of patience on your part, along with some effort to find a nicer one, you can get what you want for much less money. Just over a year ago, I purchased a K-22 Masterpiece, shipped in April, 1953 for $465 plus $20 shipping. Gun is in excellent mechanical condition with a solid 90% finish. To top it all off, it is the most accurate .22 revolver I own, not to mention having the slickest action and sweetest trigger of all my guns.

They are out there. Just spend the time to find one.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

Alan, this is going to upset a lot of folks here, but I really don’t care. IMHO the reason so many are upset is simple. They expect to get the deal of a life time on every purchase they make, if they don’t get what they want for next to nothing they get their “Internet ego” involved. Remember keyboarding like talk is cheap. There are to many folks with to little money to spend who want to be Internet bravado experts. Second, there are to many folks who Can’t afford to fish in the big pond, who don’t want anyone who can to enjoy what ever they can buy.
Flame away all..

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Always Stay Strong!

I’d never heard of “pawn shop” engraving until I saw this thread and the Wolf & Klar example in post 17. That is pretty ugly, I have to admit. There’s a 1957 K-22 in a shop down the road from me that I’ve had my eye on for awhile. It’s tagged at $800 and in pretty decent shape, I’d say 95%+. It’s been there for at least a year. First time I saw it, owner was there and I asked to see it, but didn’t want to show a lot of interest in it, so I asked to see a couple tauri and a rossi. Went in a few months later, owner wasn’t there, just a young gal behind the counter, and I offered $500 for it. She said she had to ask the owner, but he wasn’t answering his calls and texts for some reason. She did say they had it a long time and he would entertain offers on it. I didn’t leave my name and said I’d call back when he was about. That was a few months back and I never called. I plan on just stopping by one day with cash in hand. Maybe he will maybe he won’t. I’m hoping he’s just so sick and tired of seeing it sitting there in his case, taking up space where he could have a FDE Glock 19X to show off that he’ll beg me to take it for $500 otd. It’s all just a matter of wearing them down

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

I wouldn't say that. With a couple clicks of the mouse you can quickly see what a hundred k22s in varied condition are asking and/or selling for. No guess work involved. Many guns without major finish issues bringing much less than $850.00

Rich thank you, you are 100% correct. The revolver in question may be well overpriced, but that does not excuse the attacks on the seller, made by the folks I described in my first post. If anyone thinks any item is overpriced move on, but don’t take shots at any seller for trying to get the most money they can for the item they are offering for sale.

Again, someone can’t afford to fish in the deep end of the pond stay in the shallow end but don’t take shots at those who can play in the deep end.

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Always Stay Strong!

I agree with your assessment. I thought you were upset about a very low counter offer that others thought were in order. Worst someone can say is no.