Looking for info on K22 VERY low serial number

[Joe in Fl]

I got a call from a friend today that he was selling a S&W 6 shot 22 with a long barrel. That's all he knew about the other than his father bought it years ago. It is either a K22 outdoorsman or K22 masterpiece. The serial number on the butt is: K159. The serial number on the barrel is also K159 and the serial on the cylinder 159. Of course its a 5 screw.
The gun is in decent condition with a lot of blue wear and some light freckling. The gun locks up very tight and it has a very nice buttery smooth action. I'm not set up on picture hosting sights. I would be willing to text pictures to anyone who might be able to assist me with any info on this old timer. And yes it came home with me for a very good price.

Thanks, Joe

 

[hkcavalier]

Very cool! I'll leave it to others to determine if it has significant value over other postwar K22s. K101 definitely would, but K159 in shooter condition...not sure if it commands too much of a premium unless it has provenance beyond the low S/N.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

One of the other folks will be along to help with your serial number.

I have K2762, and the factory shipped it in August '47. Fun shooter. A bit finicky on ammo; as long as I use the better stuff it does fine.

 

[murphydog]

It is a very early postwar (WW II) K-22 Masterpiece, likely from early 1947. S & W did not ship guns in numerical order so the only definite way to determine its sales or ship date is a letter:

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf

 

[JP@AK]

I think I'd be willing to bet money this one has the barrel shaped extractor rod knob. Nice find!

It most likely left the factory in 1947 (but see Alan's note). Only two of them shipped in 1946, so the odds are very long that this is one of those.

 

[Walter Rego]

K159 shipped on 2/13/47 to Band or Baird Hardware in Gainesville Florida

 

[JP@AK]

K159 shipped on 2/13/47 to Band or Baird Hardware in Gainesville Florida

There you have it!

 

[DWalt]

Definitely very early postwar production. Prewar serial numbers did not have the K prefix. K151 shipped on 12/12/46. Additionally, it is one with the barrel-shaped extractor rod knob which is very desirable. You should post the pictures here to better assess its condition.

 

[turnerriver]

I have K 2414. My father in law's best friend ordered it & a Colt Woodsman as soon as he could after being mustered out. I wouldn't be surprised if your friend's father didn't do the same thing. Mine also has the barrel shaped extractor rod knob .
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[mikepriwer]

Here are the pictures of K159. The first one is the right side of the revolver.

This is the left side of the revolver.

The next picture is the butt serial number.

This picture is the serial number on the rear face of the cylinder.

This next picture is the serial number on the flat underside of the barrel.

The next two pictures are of the holster that came with the gun. First the front side, and then the back side.

Enjoy, Mike Priwer

 

[murphydog]

Mike beat me to posting the photos...thanks!

 

[Joe in Fl]

Walter that would make a lot of sense. His father bought the gun new. Gainesville is in the Ocala area where his father had his farm. Thank you for the info.

K159 shipped on 2/13/47 to Band or Baird Hardware in Gainesville Florida

 

[Joe in Fl]

Thanks Mike,
I appreciate your Help. I sent you an email.

Joe

K159 shipped on 2/13/47 to Band or Baird Hardware in Gainesville Florida

Here are the pictures of K159. The first one is the right side of the revolver.

This is the left side of the revolver.

The next picture is the butt serial number.

This picture is the serial number on the rear face of the cylinder.

The next two pictures are of the holster that came with the gun. First the front side, and then the back side.

Enjoy, Mike Priwer

 

[bdGreen]

The three digit K22 Masterpieces will definitely command a premium. Condition is paramount to collector value, but, those three digits put it into a different box than the one for those just wanting a .22 to shoot.

I would say that K159, in the condition I am able to see, would bring 3X to 4X the price of a standard five screw K22 Masterpiece in the 6 digit range.

bdGreen

Tap on the images to expand the view.



Lets bring this early one out of the dark a little.

 

[UFGator]

"Baird Hardware"

K159 shipped on 2/13/47 to Band or Baird Hardware in Gainesville Florida

That is Baird Hardware in Gainesville, FL. One of the old-line hardware stores. Been in there many times. Long gone now.

 

[cgt4570]

Even with the wear, I would be very interested if I stumbled across that one.
Low SN, Pre-war style ejector rod knob and one-line Made in USA. Throw in what are most likely the original sharp shoulder magnas.....
I would love to add a single line LERK to my accumulation of K22s!

 

[DWalt]

Interesting because of its very early production. But in that condition, I'd have a difficult time paying much of a premium for it.

 

[crsides]

A 3 digit K22 in that condition would be worth double a later gun in same condition. 99% condition AND a 3 digit k22, now you're talking money.

 

[iskra]

Interesting because of its very early production. But in that condition, I'd have a difficult time paying much of a premium for it.

+1 here.
Tech factors and 'Wow' factors. That LERK a perk, but no 'knee jerk'. Nuances very seldom trumping condition in the marketplace! Such, eg: high performance Internet gun auctions. After make & model, 'condition' the positive or negative attention grabber. From there, conjuring side-perks. I'm not up on prices in manner to speak about specific valuation. But half century of collecting guns, good general idea of where the interest flows and money goes!

My own LERK-free yet relatively low SN K Masterpiece .22, pix below. Another, it's visual twin in 17K SN range.

Apologies for the corny 'waxing poetic; not for the opinions!

Best & all kindly stay safe!
John

 

[handejector]

The three digit K22 Masterpieces will definitely command a premium. Condition is paramount to collector value, but, those three digits put it into a different box than the one for those just wanting a .22 to shoot.

I would say that K159, in the condition I am able to see, would bring 3X to 4X the price of a standard five screw K22 Masterpiece in the 6 digit range.

If you mean in like condition, MAYBE so.....
If you mean compared to a decent gun, all I can say is "Good Luck wid dat!".
If a decent 5 screw is currently bringing $600-750, let's be conservative and use $500 as a starting point. So, you're thinking this gun would bring $1500-2000???
As a dealer, I'd really be embarrassed to ask that, and most folks know I ain't bashful.
Rarity always comes into play, but, as you said, condition is paramount to many, if not most collectors. "UGLY" becomes a class that many simply can't tolerate.
There were 99 three digit K-22s in the K1XX range. There were 899 three digit K-22s. I just believe most collectors will hold out for a better gun.
Honestly, if I was offered that gun for $500, I'd have to pass.