.22/32 value?

[nipster]

Found a very nice, I would say 95% (definetly not reblued too) .22./32 6" today.

What would something like this be worth? It didnt have the proper grips they looked like this:

Has "Made in the USA" on the right side of frame and small S&W crest on the left and inscriptions on the top of the barrel. I couldnt get the serial because of these huge monster grips.

Dont know when the design or designation was changed to the pre-35 or kit gun. I cant find much info on this.

Looks a lot like this, but with the odd grips I posted. Also, I think the front sight was not replaceable (no pin)

NOTE: borrowed these photos from another thread I found, to use as a frame of reference.

 

[opoefc]

Info on these guns is in the Standard Catalog of S&W, 3rd edit. , by Supica & Nahas. What is the serial number of your gun? Values can depend on when it was shipped and to where. Ed.

 

[nipster]

Info on these guns is in the Standard Catalog of S&W, 3rd edit. , by Supica & Nahas. What is the serial number of your gun? Values can depend on when it was shipped and to where. Ed.

I have the SCSW and looked through the info, but I have found that valuations in there are pretty much useless.

As I mentioned in the post above, I dont have the serial #, it's in a gun shop and they wouldnt remove those huge grips just so I could get the serial #. Those grips completely cover the butt of the gun. I didnt think that you can usually get the serial # off the cylinder on these older guns.

 

[Hondo44]

I have the SCSW and looked through the info, but I have found that valuations in there are pretty much useless.

As I mentioned in the post above, I dont have the serial #, it's in a gun shop and they wouldnt remove those huge grips just so I could get the serial #. Those grips completely cover the butt of the gun. I didnt think that you can usually get the serial # off the cylinder on these older guns.

The pre war guns always have the serial # in 6 places:
Under barrel,
rear of cylinder,
under (backside) of extractor star,
rear vertical surface of yoke,
Butt (or forestrap if factory stocks cover the butt,
and backside of right stock if original.

8 on the target models including front and rear sight, but hidden.

 

[Hondo44]

Found a very nice, I would say 95% (definetly not reblued too) .22./32 6" today.

What would something like this be worth? It didnt have the proper grips they looked like this:

Has "Made in the USA" on the right side of frame and small S&W crest on the left and inscriptions on the top of the barrel. I couldnt get the serial because of these huge monster grips.

Dont know when the design or designation was changed to the pre-35 or kit gun. I cant find much info on this.

Page 117 in the 3rd edition of SCSW.

If it looked like the gun you pictured it's a pre war Heavy Frame Target model and with the "Made in USA" it was made after c. 1922 and therefore would not have any premium value of a real early model. In 95% w/correct stocks they sell in the range of $900 to $1200, less w/replaced stocks. Those stocks appear to be post war Herretts.

The Kit Guns were a separate model introduced in 1935. The pre 35 targets were introduced post war as a new model; "Model of 1953 22/32 Target". And they had a ribbed barrel which is the dead give away.

 

[nipster]

Thank you.

 

[nipster]

The pre war guns always have the serial # in 6 places:
Under barrel,
rear of cylinder,
under (backside) of extractor star,
rear vertical surface of yoke,
Butt (or forestrap if factory stocks cover the butt,
and backside of right stock if original.

8 on the target models including front and rear sight, but hidden.

I thought at some point, the numbers on the yoke were not the serial, but "job numbers" or batch numbers or something. Thought the only reliable place was on the butt. I forgot these real old ones had it under the barrel too.

 

[DCWilson]

As far as the yoke is concerned, the easy-to-see numbers on the large flat surface exposed when the cylinder swings out are indeed process control numbers. But the serial number of the gun is found on the small yoke surface that is directly adjacent to the face of the cylinder. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can read the serial number through one of the charge holes by making use of a side light. Otherwise you have to take the yoke off the gun and slide the cylinder back to get a better view of what is stamped there.

 

[Engine49guy]

Nipster you might find this thread interesting,
Show off that 22/32 when you get her home.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...th-oh-i-hope-i-didnt-pay-too-much-thread.html

 

[nipster]

Nipster you might find this thread interesting,
Show off that 22/32 when you get her home.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...th-oh-i-hope-i-didnt-pay-too-much-thread.html

I paid less than $500 OTD. Just got home. Pics may take a couple days.

 

[nipster]

Ok, after buying it and doing some research. Here is some more info

Serial # 633781, which according to the SCSW shows this to be a K-22 Outdoorsman

Unfortunately, after getting it out in the sun and taking the grips off, I am pretty sure it's been re-blued. It's a good job, but I think that kills it's value.

Kinda bummed, as I thought I had a real killer deal. I am not into 22's at all, and really bought it to make a couple $$$ or trade someone for something I am into.

 

[Hondo44]

Has "Made in the USA" on the right side of frame and small S&W crest on the left and inscriptions on the top of the barrel.

It can't be a PW K22 with that serial # 633781 if it has "inscriptions on the top of the barrel".
It can only be a K22 if it has a K out in front of the number on the butt, a rib on top of the barrel and be a K frame size.That serial # with a K would make it a Model 17 from 1965, formerly a K22 Masterpiece. K22 Outdoorsmans were all made pre WW II.

 

[Goony]

Serial # 633781, which according to the SCSW shows this to be a K-22 Outdoorsman

Unfortunately, after getting it out in the sun and taking the grips off, I am pretty sure it's been re-blued. It's a good job, but I think that kills it's value.

Sight unseen, I'm nevertheless inclined to agree with your identification. If nothing else, these are wonderful shooters.

What specifically suggests to you that it's been reblued? If you can post some photos, folks here may be able to make some informed comments regarding its originality.

 

[nipster]

Tonight I will get some pics.

 

[nipster]

Ok, finally got some pictures. This thread is no longer worthless.

I believe it is an K-22 outdoorsman, first model. At least that is what me about 4 books and a local gun store guy came up with

 

[nipster]

Last one...

 

[Goony]

Maybe somebody else will pick up on something in these photos that I'm not spotting, but I don't see anything that screams "reblue" to me....

It would benefit greatly from having original 1930's style service stocks put on instead of those aftermarket target ones, which I'm guessing are fairly modern Herrett's.

 

[Masterpiece]

Possibly!!

Maybe somebody else will pick up on something in these photos that I'm not spotting, but I don't see anything that screams "reblue" to me....

Nipster,

I believe there's a "slight" possibility that it's been refinished, but it's a professional job if it was!! Have you checked the Frame to see if there's are any Factory Rework Dates,Stars,Etc.?? A couple points that lead me to believe it was refinished at one time are the lack of Case-Coloring on the Hammer & Trigger, the Edges of the Flutes on the Cylinder look a bit soft & the Pins look slightly over-buffed!! Other than that it's a very nice looking "Early" 1st Model K-22 worth well more than the $500 you gave for it!!

I will have to agree with Goony that those Herrett's gotta' go!! They don't do a thing for it!!

 

[nipster]

Thanks for the input.

I pretty much always pick things up to add to my collection, but honestly I dont have much use for the 22LR.

Anyone want to venture a guess on it's value as-is?

RE: Grips. I know those arent the right grips and I think they look really gaudy. I could try to find the right period ones, but they obviously arent going to be the ones it came with, did they number the grips to the frame back then?

I am thinking of throwing it up on the f/s or trade for something I am into. May regret it later.

 

[Goony]

A couple points that lead me to believe it was refinished at one time are the lack of Case-Coloring on the Hammer & Trigger....

It can be hard to tell on this point from overall views like these. My initial impression was that these parts weren't polished, plated, or blued (which typically are dead giveaways that a refinish has been done), but in blowing these images up and enhancing them as best I can, any casehardening color doesn't seem very pronounced, either.