Not sure what I have inherited.

Stadic · #1 10-13-2020, 03:38 PM

This group is my best guess based on what I have learned so far, but if I am in the wrong Forum please let me know.

Just trying to identify what I have inherited and see what I can learn about it.

If there is any other info or a better pic I can provide just let me know.

Wiregrassguy · #2 10-13-2020, 03:47 PM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! That target revolver is known as the K-22 Masterpiece. It is a very popular model. Yours is well used. Let me guess, the original owner shot in competition? It likely shipped in 1948.

The serial number is K47xxx from the butt frame. The numbers and maybe some letters in the yoke cut were only used during manufacturing and don't ID the gun. Your K-22 has the desirable pinned barrel and recessed cylinder chambers. The rear sight is a micro adjustable for windage and elevation. The front sight is known as a Patridge (not misspelled). The Patridge sights have been around for nearly 100 years.

LPD256 · #3 10-13-2020, 03:53 PM

Welcome to the Forum from Kansas. Those K22’s are a fun little shooter. If you use the Search feature on this website, you’ll find a ton of information. Yours is a very desirable revolver. Hope you enjoy it.

Wiregrassguy · #4 10-13-2020, 04:08 PM

S&W went to model numbers in 1958. Your K-22 Masterpiece became the Model 17. If you search, you might get more hits with that. S&W also made matching "masterpieces" in .38 Special and .32 S&W Long.

JSR III · #5 10-13-2020, 04:19 PM

I own K 23233 that shipped in May of 1948 and K 85403 that shipped in June 1950 so that may help a little.

Babysitr · #6 10-13-2020, 04:35 PM

Welcome from Illinois...You're lucky, you inherited a nice old S&W revolver...hope there is some family history...they're great shooters

J. R. WEEMS · #7 10-13-2020, 05:10 PM

I have K 123595 not sure when it was shipped-- These are nice guns to say the least.

Hondo44 · #8 10-13-2020, 07:12 PM

Welcome to the forum.

lkabug · #9 10-13-2020, 11:09 PM

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Virginia

OldChief · #10 10-13-2020, 11:32 PM

Welcome from North CA. Your K-22 Masterpiece came out of the factory sometime in 1948.The serial number range for that year was K18732-K73121. I have a real nice 1948 example (K49725). It's important to know that that series of serial numbers encompass several models, not just the K22s. K22 revolvers like yours and mine are a real pleasure to shoot, I know you will enjoy yours.

JSR III · #11 10-15-2020, 10:11 PM

I did a little more research and found the following:

K-43411 shipped 9/1948

K-53020 shipped 10/1948

K-54985 shipped 11/1948

So unless your gun was one of those many S&W's to ship significantly out of sequence, I would say that there is a strong probability that your gun shipped in late September or early October of 1948.

Hawg Rider · #12 10-16-2020, 07:12 AM

My K-22 Target Masterpiece (s/n K40403) also shipped in 1948. A previous owner did a little trigger/sear work on mine, so it's got an extremely light (hair) trigger pull. But it's a very accurate revolver, and fun to shoot. .22s are priced right, and it's about the only ammo you can find to buy these days! Enjoy!

Joed49 · #13 10-16-2020, 10:42 AM

Holy ****, it's not a Victory model! You should win a prize for this gun. Every time I see one of these threads it turns out to be a Victory model.

You don't know how good this feels. Those inherited Victory models are like Fruit cake at Xmas.

H Richard · #14 10-16-2020, 11:41 AM

Everyone needs at least 1 K22. I actually prefer the early 50's for shooting. But, the 617 shoots as well as the 1951.