? K22 Nickel

[H Richard]

Had a friend contact me about a K 22, but Nickel plated, a 1951 vintage. I told him most probably aftermarket but as he described it I asked him to bring over and he did. As I look at it I'm pretty sure it is aftermarket, but a really high quality job. The hammer and trigger are still good case color, but the front sight "and" the rear sight are "satin" nickel. The extractor star is also satin nickel. I keep hearing of the occasional special order nickel gun, and wondered if this was one of them I told him he probably needs to spend the $100 on a letter.

If a couple of you "experts" would look over these poor pictures and let me know your thoughts.












By the way, the gun is unfired, and you can tell it hasn't been used since built in 1951. S/N K13197x. Unfortunately doesn't have the box.

[arjay]

I like it. The satin sights and a bit of rounding of the frame and side plate seam by the front screw are suspicious. I do like the pragmatism of satin sights,though. (Not an expert lol)

[handejector]

NOT Factory. Definitely aftermarket. Save the $100.

[Art Doc]

I am not an expert but it looks refinished to me. Again, not an expert but I think in 1951 the sights would be blued on a nickel gun and not plated. Original nickel S&Ws have an N stamped on frame under left stock panel.

How does a gun get refinished when it was never fired? I guess a previous owner wanted the gun he never used to be nickel plated?

[raljr1]

Originally Posted by Art Doc

How does a gun get refinished when it was never fired? I guess a previous owner wanted the gun he never used to be nickel plated?

Paplinker and I have discussed this a couple of times. He said he knew of or heard of a guy who would buy high condition blued guns and send them to Smith & Wesson to be nickel plated. I assume this on to be done by someone other, because i don't think S&W would have nickel plated the rear sight. Unless someone specifically requested it. That finish, nice as it is l, does not look like factory nickel to me.

Robert

[raljr1]

Of course if that gun were presented to me at an reasonable price, I would likely buy it. In fact, i did buy a second k22 with the thought of sending it to Fords for nickel plating.

Robert

[handejector]

How can one tell that the gun was not fired BEFORE it was nickeled?

[ron b]

If it is a factory re-work, (l have doubts) it should be marked on the frame under the left grip panel .

[paplinker]

Originally Posted by ron b

If it is a factory re-work, (l have doubts) it should be marked on the frame under the left grip panel .

I bought a k22 that the original owner said that he sent to the factory in the 70s to be nickled. There is no factory marks on it and was done magnificently. I know that gun would fool most gun guys. There is only one tell that I could find and its minor.

This seller told me he loved nickle guns and had over a dozen that he sent to the factory over the years. He always sent guns with no rust or dings.

Of course the guy could have lied but why would he.

[peterdeb]

That is one beautiful K-22!! I bought one last year from a member here that had pitting and was reblued. Turned out to be a bad deal from a crummy member. However seeing this Nickel K-22 is making me think of having that one Nickeled by Fords for $500. Certainly is something to think about.

[stansdds]

It's pretty, but it does not look like a factory finish to me.

[Club Gun Fan]

First is my Model 53 and my Model 17 both factory nickel.