Looking at a post war K-22...what's it worth ?

[F75gunslinger]

Found this at the LGS today...wondering what it's worth..if it's a decent deal I'll grab it.Bore is sharp and clean, cylinder locks up tight,trigger pull is beautiful,timing is perfect. Dealer says it came from an estate and was stored incorrectly.No box,papers or tools etc. Just a shooter.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. It is not a bad gun at all. The areas where the bluing is gone could be touched up with Oxpho-Blue to make a very nice shooter. You did not mention the serial number, so we can not tell if the stocks are correct for the revolver or not. Many of these guns have had different stocks on them and then the owner just grabs a set of Magnas to sell it that do not match. I would ask if the stocks are numbered to the gun?? They are 1952/53 or after.

Value is another issue. The prices of these Post-War Masterpiece revolvers have been rising rapidly over the last couple of years and I would say that one in the condition of this example should bring $500 to $600 today.

 

[Jimmyjones]

Not sure about prices in my old neighborhood, I paid $650 for one with 'normal' wear last weekend, no box or tools.

Used revolver prices are higher here than what I've seen elsewhere.

 

[F75gunslinger]

It sounds to me like the shop is being fair with it then...He's looking to get $450 for it . If I buy a gun I'll shoot it, so a pristine example is wasted on me. Just wondered if he was being good with the price. Other than the surface issues the gun is in great shape...I'm guessing the original owner didn't use it very much.The checkering on the grips is still quite sharp.

 

[Peak53]

I'm in Colorado and would more than gladly give that price. Gunshow asking prices for similar guns are MUCH higher around here. Looks like it is discounted somewhat for the finish issues. Another way to make the finish problem disappear is to shoot it. You'll see.

 

[GF]

I'd take 450 cash & see if that amount would get it bought with no tax.

I think that would make you a fine rimfire revolver that you could shoot and holster without worry about hurting the value.

I don't think you'll find a gun like that any cheaper.

GF

 

[DWalt]

I'd go for $450, assuming no mechanical problems. Not "collectible" but fine as a shooter. A little emery cloth polishing and application of some cold blue will improve its appearance. The stocks on it are perfectly OK for normal use, even if not period correct. You can get another pair from eBay if you really feel the need.

 

[PMRet]

Sounds like a reasonable asking price taking into account the finish issues. I'd offer $425 cash OTD and be happy to get it for $450 OTD if that's what it takes.

 

[long colt frazier]

You better grab before I figure out its address.
Mark

 

[F75gunslinger]

You better grab before I figure out its address.
Mark

LOL !!He's going to set it aside for me...

 

[JSR III]

I'm guessing the original owner didn't use it very much.The checkering on the grips is still quite sharp.

Welcome to the forum. Horace and Daniel referred to it as checking and stocks whereas COLT and most all other gun manufacturers used the terms checkering and grips. As a purist, I try to teach the gospel of S&W to all newcomers.

 

[DWalt]

See: Service Grips - Smith & Wesson

 

[H Richard]

At $450 I would already own it.

 

[F75gunslinger]

i wanted to say thank you to everyone who replied with info for me. The K22 is home..and I'll get some pictures of it after the holidays...pretty busy til then !!!

 

[MrG5122]

Congrats on getting her home! Now go shoot it! $450 would be a fair price around here.

I found mine in a pawn shop. It has similar damage but only on one lobe of the cylinder. It dates out at 1952. They were asking $600. I got them to knock off $100 because it didn't have the correct stocks. It had these junky 'plastic' stocks on it.

 

[Camster]

Congrats on getting her home! Now go shoot it! $450 would be a fair price around here.

I found mine in a pawn shop. It has similar damage but only on one lobe of the cylinder. It dates out at 1952. They were asking $600. I got them to knock off $100 because it didn't have the correct stocks. It had these junky 'plastic' stocks on it.

450 would be a fair price around anywhere...An honest,though neglected gun,without too much use,and without not much downside.

 

[F75gunslinger]

Welcome to the Forum. You did not mention the serial number, so we can not tell if the stocks are correct for the revolver or not. Many of these guns have had different stocks on them and then the owner just grabs a set of Magnas to sell it that do not match. I would ask if the stocks are numbered to the gun?? They are 1952/53 or after.

The stocks are numbered...in a way. They're actually stamped . I've seen pencil stock numbers before..in an older gun. Is this type of labeling normal or did someone just buy a set and then stamp the numbers in afterword ? The serial number is K183088...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=178144&stc=1&d=1419363278

 

[BAM-BAM]

A shame.....like the Batman Character Two-face......

saw the right side and wow....... hard to tell from the pictures ..... what did that blood?

 

[wheelgun610]

.... Is this type of labeling normal or did someone just buy a set and then stamp the numbers in afterword ?

Perfectly normal. In fact, I've never seen S/N's on 50's vintage stocks that were done any different than yours.

That serial is consistent with guns that are known to have shipped in 1953 - same year as mine which is in the K 189000 range.

Enjoy that gun. You did good.

 

[JP@AK]

The stocks are numbered...in a way. They're actually stamped . I've seen pencil stock numbers before..in an older gun. Is this type of labeling normal

It is normal. There is some debate about when the switch was made, but from what I have experienced most fitters were impressing the numbers in the wood by the late 1920s. From the 1930s onward there no longer seem to be any penciled numbers. Certainly in the postwar period, all of them were impressed. That continued until sometime in the 1970s, when stock serial numbers ceased altogether.