Actually the Premier is not the same as the Model 999, or Sportsman model, which is based on a large frame top break revolver.
The Premier you are talking about is a small frame, 7 shot in .22 Long or Long Rifle in the same frame size as the Premier in 32 S&W. They also made a bigger Premier frame size in .38 S&W. Early versions of this models are for black powder only.
The Premier model was made from 1895-1941 and the black powder models made from 1895 to about 1910. One easy way to tell if it is meant for smokeless powder is that there is a cylinder stop and when you break open the pistol, the cylinder stop is easy to see on the bottom of the frame. I own one of these and My cylinder stop was broken when I purchased it, but it was easily replaced. Black powder models had free wheeling cylinders.
There are at least 10 different variations of the small frame Premier. Most of the changes are internal parts or the roll stamp markings on the barrel. Earlier versions do not have any caliber markings on the side of the barrel. Mine does and it just says "22 Rim Fire". To be on the safe side, I only shoot 22 shorts through mine, even though it is supposedly strong enough for smokeless powder, why fuss with breaking anything.
They are very small in the hand, but pretty accurate and kind of fun to shoot too! You are right, the 22 versions are not easy to find, compared to the 32 and 38 Premier models.
