Model 18 no dash

[CZU]

New to the forum and have some questions.

I'm about to acquire a no dash 18 that was made in 1958. I am looking for info as to what would be the correct box for this. There is a gold box on ebay that is marked K-22 Masterpiece. Is this designation the same for the model 18? Is the model 18 designated any other way? What would be the proper box for this?

As soon as I take delivery I'll post some pics. It is in about 95-96% condition.

Thanks

 

[DCWilson]

A model 18 was previously known as the K-22 Combat Masterpiece -- not that anyone expected to go into combat with a .22, but the four inch barrel and ramp front sight were the hallmarks of other "combat" designation revolvers in the S&W line.

I think you would want a box (probably gold) that is labeled as a K-22 Combat Masterpiece. The blue boxes came in after your gun was produced.

Those are nice revolvers. And welcome to the forum.

David Wilson

 

[rburg's alter ego]

I'm pretty sure that by this time a blue box would be correct. I have seen late pre-model # K frame .22s in blue boxes.

 

[DCWilson]

On further reflection, I think Dick's alter ego is probably correct. There were gold boxes in circulation after 1958, but the two-piece blue boxes seem to have appeared for many models in conjunction with the introduction of model numbering in 1957.

So I would modify my comment to read "probably a blue box." But I wouldn't be completely surprised to hear of one being shipped in a gold box.

EDITED TO ADD: Check out Gunbroker auction 129510132 (now closed). Pre-18 Combat Masterpiece with blue box. There are pictures.

David W.

 

[AirCommando]

Maybe a blue box like this one, which I bought for my pre 18, vintage 1953, which probably should have a gold box.

AC

 

[CZU]

Thanks guys, at least I'll know what to look for.

 

[RKmesa]

AC

I believe that this is the correct box. I have an 18 no dash that came in one of these.

 

[Speedo2]

I agree; K2444xx (1955) although a Target Masterpiece, also shipped in such a box:

A better picture of the blue/black box along with some other K22's:

Mr.Burg's alter ego is right on the bucks. -S2

 

[handejector]

Maybe a blue box like this one, which I bought for my pre 18, vintage 1953, which probably should have a gold box.

AC

This is most likely the correct box for the Mod 18 no dash. It is possible it shipped in a blue box that had "Model 18" printed on the end.

 

[handejector]

I agree; K2444xx (1955) although a Target Masterpiece, also shipped in such a box:

A better picture of the blue/black box along with some other K22's:

Mr.Burg's alter ego is right on the bucks. -S2

S-2,
Just so you know- I doubt that K 244XXX shipped in a blue box. I have never seen a K number that low go blue, and I have seen plenty of higher K numbers that were indisputably shipped in gold. I suspect they were married along the line, OR, if legitamately numbered to the gun, I would suspect it was returned from the factory after service in the box.

 

[Speedo2]

Lee, I'm not the original owner of it, so there's no telling what all it's been through, but there are no indications that it has ever been worked on and its condition suggests to me that it's spent most of its life in its box (or at least in some box). Your testing my meager skills with a digital camera, but here's an attempt to show the matching number on the back of the box:

I know that these things can be easily faked, but I've owned this for around 7 years; well before K22's were all the rage. So with all due respect: I think that it's original. Perhaps Mr.Burg or his alter ego would care to offer an opinion? -S2

Edited to apologize for thread hijacking. -S2

 

[handejector]

S-2,
How did you get the 1955 date for the gun? Have you lettered it or obtained the ship date from Roy?

Also- Is there a date stamped inside the lid?

 

[Speedo2]

Lee, the date was from SCSW3, Appx 2 (p. 398): "1955 K231256 - K266164". No date stamped in the lid. -S2

Edited: warranty card in box is numbered to the gun and is dated (mass printed) "April 18, 1955".

 

[handejector]

Ah, the charts. Maybe right, maybe not.
It sounds like I've now seen my first 5-screw K-22 in a blue box.
It adds up, and looks right. Interesting.

For a long time, I've tried to figure where the break point is. I've seen some extremely early 4-screws in gold. I've seen some rather late 5-screws in other models in blue.

I figured we would eventually find some overlapping. This gun possibly shows that. In my opinion, that could make it a key gun.

Are you SWCA? If so, get on the SWCA website, and request a ship date from Roy. We need a month and year for that puppy.

Also, I'm sure you've noticed it is high polish. The high pol was phased in on the later 5 screw Masterpieces in all 3 cals. That is a rather low number for one, making it interesting on two counts.

Of course, all this becomes rather moot if it comes back with a late ship date like 56 or 57, and the gun loses its ability to help us bracket such changes.

On Thread Hijacking- I don't consider it a problem, or even a valid label, once the OP's questions are answered. Rather, I consider it continuing and valuable discussion that educates us all.

 

[CZU]

Mod 18 pics

Here are the pics. Are these grips correct?

 

[29aholic]

Nope

Grips should be diamond magnas. All but most target grips were numbered to the gun

 

[Combat]

Grips should be like these on my 4 screw k22.

 

[29aholic]

Edit

Grips should be diamond magnas. All but most target grips were numbered to the gun

CZU

I went back and looked at your pics again, and I believe you are mistaken on the vintage of this gun. Further inspection of your pics does not reveal a trigger guard (4th) screw which these guns should have had until about 1962 IIRC. Nice gun, but better check the frame stamping again OR if those pics were sent to you and you dont have the gun yet, you need to have the seller send you pics of the Model stamp. If the gun is as late as I think it may be, the grips are correct but the gun is not worth the same as a 50's vintage one.

Sorry I didnt catch this the first go around.

 

[CZU]

I have the gun and took the pics. It does have the trigger guard screw. Serial number is K34966x. I'll check and see if he has the other grips. Should the grips be numbered to the gun?

 

[29aholic]

Bad eyes

I have the gun and took the pics. It does have the trigger guard screw. Serial number is K34966x. I'll check and see if he has the other grips. Should the grips be numbered to the gun?

I guess the angle of your pics really hides that screw in front of the trigger guard, but if you say its there I have to believe you.

So, back to the grips. If he still has the original diamond grips like what combat posted, they should number to your gun on the right panel. I dont have the book handy, so again I am going to have to run with your OP date. I know that K239004 shipped in 55.