This is a fairly significant one. It is the 90th birthday for this centerpiece of my collection. I have posted it quite a few times, but it deserves another showing on it's 90th b-day! Being a King gun and an early one make it unique and interesting to me.

The factory letter says "We have researched your Smith & Wesson K-22 Outdoorsman or K-22 First Model, First Production Group, caliber .22 Long Rifle, in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number 632157, was shipped from our factory on January 17, 1931, and delivered to Folsom Arms Co., New York City. NY. The records indicate that thus firearm was shipped with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips. This shipment was for five units of this model and they were billed at $22.13 each. This revolver has been modified by the addition of a King super ramp and sight."

Since the first K-22 Outdoorsman was presented on January 3, 1931 and this one was shipped on January 17, 1931, it would have to be a very early gun. One thing that I wish I could find is the serial numbers of the other 4 guns in this shipment. Since mine is early, I figure the others are very close in number. The original owner, who lived in Newark, NJ, sent an order to the factory to have a pair of magna grips sent to him. The service grips on this gun are in superb shape. I wish I could have also gotten the magna grips when I bought the gun. They are probably in the original box, with the tools, in a drawer or top of a closet somewhere. Thanks for viewing.
Larry

Attached Images

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Very nice! I really like the King addition.

I took a quick look around for info about the rest this shipment, but no joy there.

One weird tidbit was not related to your firearm, but to the owner of the store that ordered it, Mr. Folsom. On July 3rd 1900, he and a senior salesman were checking a consignment of used guns to make sure they were not loaded, apparently by pulling the trigger, and he killed his salesman.

http://www.cornellpubs.com/_pdf/folsom-incident.pdf

Exceptional early specimen! Thanks for posting.

Larry:

That has always been one of my favorite S&Ws. Happy belated birthday SN 632157!!! ... and you don't look a day over 20...

Thanks for sharing,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Holy smokes!
I just read the pdf detailing the accidental discharge.
How tragic.

Larry,
Interesting and beautiful gun.
Thank you for furthering my education!
-Bill

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

I own a kissing cousin shipped a little later on 4-3-1931. Mine was part of a 2 gun shipment however the details escape me at the moment. I too wondered if I could ever find its shipment mate.....Nice looking revolver.

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James Redfield
LM #497