I'm trying to determine the age of a CTG 22lr with serial K265xx. Any idea? Thanks guys.

Manufactured 1948

Official name K-22 Masterpiece (6" barrel) or .22 Combat Masterpiece (4" barrel). CTG is short for "cartridge", not part of the gun's name. Hope this is helpful.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

The correct model name is:

Model K-22 Masterpiece, chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. CTG is an abbreviation for cartridge.

In 1957, S&W adopted model numbers and the K-22 became the Model 17.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks guys. Your responses are very helpful

Should be a sticky: CTG = cartridge

But not in 1948, right?
Not meaning to hassle anyone or be too particular. Just trying to find out. When did they start with the 4" barrel, calling it a K-22 Combat Masterpiece? I thought it was in the 1950s.
Jack

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Right, 1949...a generic answer for the next person doing a search for their gun based on the barrel stampings.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Does the right side of the frame say "Made In U.S.A." in one simple line or is there a longer 4 line address there? The one line guns have some added collect ability because they are the earlier rarer version of the post war k22.

Next job is post some pics.

Let me add that your gun is pretty early in the post war production and is a pretty collectable item. To keep the value, don't make any haphazard modifications, don't loose the stocks (if they are original) and don't reblue. Often the stocks are numbered to the gun with pencil on the underside of the right side grip.

Remember, post pics.

Sticky, heck it should be part of the web page design. Say a simple statement under the Smith & Wesson Forum banner that states that CTG is an abbreviation for Cartridge. BTW, just kidding here but not by much.

It seems like there is a distinct surge in people who don't know this particular abbreviation and I put it down to a surge in new firearms owners who have no previous experience in the sport. People who would normally call a cartridge a bullet until they've been corrected about the proper terminology.

In many ways this is a good thing, however we all need to keep in mind that newbies do make mistakes. Mistakes in terminology, mistakes in assumptions about what a firearm or caliber can actually do, mistakes in handling firearms, and mistakes that directly impact safety. Consider this a suggestion that us old timers be a bit gentle with the newbies and welcome to the sport instead of acting like a secret club that's closed to new members.

I'll try to get pics but it's my in-laws gun. Haven't even seen it yet but will let them know it may be a collector.