Hi everyone, first off, happy to be a new member. I absolutely adore my S&W, but I'm confused by some of the information I've received about it over the years and figured you guys could help me clear up some things.

As you can see, the imprint on the bottom begins with "K." I thought that was all I needed to know, but when I opened up the grip I found the imprint on the inside of "A8745." Now I'm not certain which number is more important.

Any help identifying this revolver will be met with love and adoration :-) Thank you!

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The true legal serial number is the one on the butt.
You have a Target Masterpiece .22; most commonly known as a K22. In 1957 it was assigned Model 17.
Yours was made in 1948, so the collectors call it a "pre-17."
None better.

That's so helpful. You are awesome. Thanks for the info!

It is properly called the K-22 Masterpiece. No "Target" in the name although it is a target gun. K48743 would date its shipment to be around late 1948.

Welcome to the Forum, alexj.

Others have given you good info. A few added points:

Yes, it is a K-22 Masterpiece from 1948, and it is in quite nice condition.

If you look at the box in DWalt's post #4, you will see that S&W called the new hammer a "High Speed" hammer, not simply a "Speed Hammer."

The stocks are original; you can see the gun's serial number stamped on the inside of the right hand stock panel. The style is the early postwar Magna type, with a sharp shoulder above the stock circle. This type was used only from 1946 until late 1952 or early 1953.

Postwar K-22 production started in June, 1947. So your example was made in the first year or so of postwar production. It has five frame screws. The fifth screw, at the top of the sideplate, near the hammer, was dropped in 1956.

Now you know a few more things about your fine .22 caliber target revolver.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Alexj,

I think that if you push the right grip panel off the frame and look at the numbers with a magnafying glass you'll see that they are the same as the serial number. Original grips were numbered to the gun.

Welcome to the Forum, we hope you continue to be involved, there are a great many things to learn here and see, and good people to share them.

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436

I'm looking at the OP's third picture, and while the stocks are contemporary to the gun, that number in the picture doesn't look like the serial number on the butt. It is partially obscured, but I don't see a match-up.

Could just be old eyes.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

My box that numbers matches to my 1947 K22 says "Smith and Wesson K22 Masterpiece Target Revolver". So I am guessing both are proper and helps distinguish the 6" from the Combat Masterpiece 4".

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Charlie

Very nice K22.

I agree with goatsnguns, A8745 actually does read 48743. The K is not usually stamped on the grip with the # in all production periods.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Charlie

I think you are missing the point that was made by DWalt earlier (and many other times on this forum). It is a "target revolver," yes. Its name is K-22 Masterpiece.

On the top of your gold box it says, K-22 Masterpiece.
On the end of your gold box it says, K-22 Masterpiece.
On the side of your gold box it says K-22 Masterpiece [a] Target Revolver.

Nowhere does it say K-22 Target Masterpiece. That name does not exist. It doesn't show up on the All Model Circulars, the catalogs, the price lists nor in any company advertizing. Neither is it on any boxes, gold, blue or otherwise. Somehow it got into a lot of collector books, but Jim started removing it in the SCSW 4th Edition. It isn't quite gone yet, but it's getting there.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

You gents have been incredibly helpful and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to give me this great info. This belonged to my grandfather, a WWII and Korean war vet who had an amazing collection of firearms and who took care of them like they were his children. Most of his collection remains in storage in Nebraska (much of it is 'one offs'), but in terms of S&W I have this revolver and a S&W 1000 in amazing condition. They're my absolute favorite pieces just for their usefulness. Thanks again!

I also have a Colt SAA that shoots 45LC

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Charlie

Mea culpa.
I said "Target Masterpiece" out of habit because MY K22 is a Combat Masterpiece.

Note that S&W did not advertise the Combat Masterpiece revolvers as being K-22/32/38, just as Combat Masterpieces.

As with Alex I am new to this forum... and have a wonderful K-22. Talking to a “local expert” he seemed to think mine was an early 50’s as well.. the serial #is in the high 192*** range and has the adjustable rear sights with the longer barrel... I’d post a picture but have no idea as to how that it done.. and another question... My wife loves to shoot it... to the point of not letting me... other than buying another one, (there is no more room in the safe!) what do I do? 🤪.

K192xxx suggests it shipped around mid to late 1953.

Buy a bigger safe and another K22...and give thanks that your wife enjoys shooting a fine revolver.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Make room by taking her jewelry out of the safe, but don't tell her.....

Pick one in the safe to sell, and make room.

A bigger or 2nd safe are two good solutions and then you won't have this problem for awhile...say 6 months to a year at best!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Or you could just share it with her . . . In 50 years of marriage I've learned how to share.

Back some years when I bought my first Kit Gun, Deb went shooting with me and after sending some .22s downrange declared that the little gem was "hers." So I bought her one for Christmas that year.

S&W revolvers are like Jello. There is always room for one more.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Buy the wife a used safe at a pawn shop, mount it in her closet. Then buy yourself another safe.

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Bob P.