Scarce K22 Masterpiece (Model 17) with 8 3/8 inch barrel
 

Just got this one lettered and wanted to share the results. The barrel length was confirmed but the target trigger and target grips were not, no worries there. I should be able to find the right trigger and grips without too much trouble. I really want to shoot this one but it's so pretty that I am not sure I trust myself just yet.

Part of the reason these are very scarce is based on a couple things. The 8 and 3/8 inch barrel was introduced for this gun in 1958. The model 17 changed to the model 17-1 in 1959. The window there is pretty small so I wouldn't imagine that many of the long tubed model 17(no dash) exist. I was happy to find this one. I actually had the chance to buy a 29-1 at the same time but I could only afford one and the 44 mag was in pretty rough shape. I am 100% sure I made the right choice.

Again, thanks for indulging me by allowing me to share my letter and pics.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...tz/file-20.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...tz/file-19.jpg

And the letter:
This one shipped pretty late to Rex Firearms of New York City. As Roy says in the letter, it wasn't a popular barrel length so the frame likely sat for awhile until an order came in. My other Rex shipped gun is a Pre-21 factory Pinto so they seemed to be the pipeline for unusual firearms.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...tz/file-17.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...tz/file-18.jpg

Congratulations as that's a beauty and I love mine and it shoots like a rifle.

Mine
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...LeftSide-1.jpg

I think it's cool and would like to shoot one.

Nice county guns......once you level it, the barrel is in the next county!!! :) All kidding aside, really nice hardware gentlemen.......

Daniel that is a very fine looking long tube. Those are some awful nice grips also. Nice find.

Regards

Beautiful model 17 and i second the comment on the grips.
An outstanding package. If i ever come across a long barreled
17 it will get scooped up quickly.

Chuck

Count me in the on the praise for the grips, really help set of a real beauty. You will have to shoot it.

Job well done.

I’m confused. I think I’m seeing both a standard trigger and hammer in your pictures. Perhaps it’s just the camera angle and prop rod through the trigger guard obscuring the trigger.

I don’t know how scarce four screw 8 3/8” 17s are, but I’m sure I’ve never seen one. Yours is impressive. As far as shooting it goes, for me the choice would hinge on whether it already has been fired since leaving the factory. If it’s been fired enough to tell, it would take a lot more to make any difference as long as you are careful to only lay it on soft surfaces.

"I am 100% sure I made the right choice. "

High condition is never wrong!:D

The 8 & 3/8th's rimfires are "sleeper" collectables in my
opinion. But judging by prices I've seen on completed auctions I guess buyers have woke up. :)

A Mod 17-4 & 17.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l3...s/HPIM3212.jpg

GF

i have a 17-2 with the 8 3/8 barrel no picture yet will work on it. Whats the main difference between the 17 and the 17-2?

Yep, it has been shot a little but I worry that if I take it shooting that something stupid will happen. I am a little OCD about keeping my highest condition guns clean. I'm sure you guys know where I am coming from.


GF,
Does your M17 letter with that red post front sight? You know, I have a thing for factory red post front sights. I just like the color red, except for on my budgets. You'll have to share more with me about that one. Send me a PM when you get a chance. Really nice pair of guns.

You are correct, the trigger and hammer are standard. I thought I had mentioned that in the letter request but I may have mislead with the details about the target grips.

Apparently you need a ½” hammer and magnas to make it match Roy’s description. You’ll be left with a desirable set of diamond targets.

I’d shoot it at least enough to know what you’ve got and get it sighted in. You just might realize you bought the .22 that will make a high master in bullseye. ;)

That’s what I understand these 10” sight radius .22 barrels were designed for. It’s too bad a S&W marketing genius replaced them with full lug long toms that are too nose heavy for their intended purpose.

Daniel,
I have # K397248, also 0-, 4 screw... also shipped to Rex 9/30/60..Shipped with target hammer and target trigger...
Yours is prettier than mine..
JIM....................

Wow thats a nice one! One of these (any dash) are on my short list to go along with my 8 3/8" K-38. Enjoy that one.

That is one sweet and rare CTG!

Ya could just stare sooo deep into that perfectly polished and blued steel!

Can tell you what it takes to get one. Just bought a model 17-4 N.O.S. in 8 3/8. Owner of the on-line store selling it stated it was "new unshot". Thought there'd be a good chance just a well cared for gun with a pitch claim attached to it up until it did arrive in new condition. BUT,,, it cost me one thousand dollars to own it,,, there you go.

Here's my -3 in Full Target configuration.

I love it. And it does shoot like a rifle if i do my part.

http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps85f1d8ca.jpg

With a few other K-Frames
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/u...psa75aa711.jpg

http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/u...psd205d9c7.jpg

Chuck

That is a great looking gun. I would have been turned away by the barrel though as I don't shoot competitively which is what that gun is really for.

I just can't understand why a gun in that great of condition would have had the target hammer replaced with a semi-target hammer. Unless the original owner didn't like the full target hammer but was stuck with it because that's the way it came.

I would just leave it as is and call it a day. Take it out and enjoy it. I like my 17-4, one of the last P&Rs, and it is very accurate. Dispatches rodents quite nicely. One of two S&W revolvers I will ever own.

I'm beginning to think all K frame 4 screw revolvers are very scarce. Here is a early 4 screw M48 . Letter stated it was shipped as a 6" K-38, but we all know that never happened. Big Larry

http://www.fototime.com/CF28532493A1756/standard.jpg

Some how, the target grip on 17s don't impress me. I much prefer the smaller ones.
Steve

Had one of those back in the day, put a 2x Leupold in the Weaver mounts that fit into the rear sight cut out.

Wouldn't quite hang with my 10" .22 LR barreled Contender, but it shot pretty well.

41

Glad to see I'm not the only one that revives old threads!

Here's mine... you gotta love those old Presentation Grips!

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/w...WModel17_3.jpg

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/w...WModel17_4.jpg

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/w...odel17_1-1.jpg