K-22 Tapered Rib

[sceva]

I was looking at my Std Catalog of S&W 4th the other night and saw again where the early K-22 masterpiece had a narrow tapered rib where the number of serrations subtly changes going from frame to muzzle. Changed later to a wider, un-tapered rib but it did not give a time frame for the change. My birth year/month K-22 Masterpiece shipped August of 1952 and I knew it had what I considered a narrow rib so I got it out and looked again. Sure enough; narrow with a definite but subtle taper to it. So; in 1952 you could still get the narrow/tapered rib. It would be nice if it also had the .110 wide Patridge but the .125 wide it has works fine.

Requisite photos

 

[Bearhunter 500]

Very nice looking gun.

 

[OutWest50]

Congratulations on the very nice birth year/month K-22. I have a 1950 birth year/month K-38 Masterpiece.

 

[wheelgun610]

... So; in 1952 you could still get the narrow/tapered rib...

I wouldn't bet the farm on it, but I'm thinkin' all 5-screw K-22's had tapered barrels. Of course you understand that originally, all three K Masterpiece models had the same tapered barrel. Because of the smaller bore size, the K-22 was a little heavier than the K-32 and K-38. In 1949, to appease the bullseye shooting crowd who shot all three calibers in matches, the K-32 and K-38 were first offered in the "Heavy Mastperpiece" variant with un-tapered barrels so that all three guns weighed exactly the same when loaded.

Mark

 

[JP@AK]

The first K-38 Heavy Masterpiece was serial number K66198 and it shipped in early 1949. It had the wide rib for the reason Mark stated. It wouldn't make sense for S&W to add a wide rib to the K-22 because the barrel was already "too" heavy. Matching the weights was the issue.

By the end of 1953 or a little bit earlier, the narrow rib K-38 was no longer being made, having been entirely replaced by the Heavy Masterpiece. What's interesting is that the paste-on box label saying "K-38 Heavy Masterpiece" was still showing up as late as 1959. I have a Model 14 in the original box with the "Heavy" label that shipped in July, 1959.

 

[larryofcc]

I wouldn't bet the farm on it, but I'm thinkin' all 5-screw K-22's had tapered barrels. Of course you understand that originally, all three K Masterpiece models had the same tapered barrel. Because of the smaller bore size, the K-22 was a little heavier than the K-32 and K-38. In 1949, to appease the bullseye shooting crowd who shot all three calibers in matches, the K-32 and K-38 were first offered in the "Heavy Mastperpiece" variant with un-tapered barrels so that all three guns weighed exactly the same when loaded.

Mark

Not sure when the wide rib came out, but I have a wide rib K22 5 screw # K 258577, shipped to Sports Inc., Chicago, IL., 2-5-1956. Gun was shipped with a target hammer and unrelieved diamond center target stocks as lettered. Very late 5 screw just before model numbers. Big Larry

 

[larryofcc]

I was looking at my Std Catalog of S&W 4th the other night and saw again where the early K-22 masterpiece had a narrow tapered rib where the number of serrations subtly changes going from frame to muzzle. Changed later to a wider, un-tapered rib but it did not give a time frame for the change. My birth year/month K-22 Masterpiece shipped August of 1952 and I knew it had what I considered a narrow rib so I got it out and looked again. Sure enough; narrow with a definite but subtle taper to it. So; in 1952 you could still get the narrow/tapered rib. It would be nice if it also had the .110 wide Patridge but the .125 wide it has works fine.

Requisite photos

My 1947 narrow rib K22 revolver, letters with a 1/10" patridge front sight. I thought they didn't come with the 1/8" front sight until they came out with the wide rib. Live and learn. Big Larry

 

[sceva]

My 1947 narrow rib K22 revolver, letters with a 1/10" patridge front sight. I thought they didn't come with the 1/8" front sight until they came out with the wide rib. Live and learn. Big Larry

Pretty sure the .125 front sight came out in the early 1950's, I'm thinking late 1952 early 1952. I'll have to get my 1952 Centennial Catalog out and check but it seems that it mentions the change.

 

[JP@AK]

I have a wide rib K22 5 screw # K258577, shipped to Sports Inc., Chicago, IL., 2-5-1956.

Very late 5 screw just before model numbers.

Larry

K326533 is the lowest number on a K-22 Masterpiece that is marked as a Model 17 (that we know of). It shipped in November, 1958. It is, of course, a four screw. But there were lots of K-22s made and shipped between yours and the model marked K-22 revolvers.

 

[Green Frog]

Aren't you glad you held onto your farm, wheelgun610? There seems to have been a considerable overlap between narrow and wide ribs... with the CF group moving more quickly toward wide. While narrow ribbed K22s seem to have held on for a longer time, there were obviously folks who wanted the extra weight early on in their era of availability. I only wish I could find a narrow rib K32 to go with my 22 and 38, but they are as rare as a unicorn with a mouthful of pixie dust!
Froggie

 

[rct269]

I wouldn't bet the farm on it, but I'm thinkin' all 5-screw K-22's had tapered barrels. Of course you understand that originally, all three K Masterpiece models had the same tapered barrel. Because of the smaller bore size, the K-22 was a little heavier than the K-32 and K-38. In 1949, to appease the bullseye shooting crowd who shot all three calibers in matches, the K-32 and K-38 were first offered in the "Heavy Mastperpiece" variant with un-tapered barrels so that all three guns weighed exactly the same when loaded.

Mark

Go right ahead and bet the farm and whatever else you can scrape up that all 5-screw K-22's had tapered barrels. I'm inclined to tell you to bet that all K-32's and K-38's did too, but my K-32's are long gone, along with everything else----almost everything else. I kept a wide rib K-22 and a wide rib K-38 to shoot, but they're 4-screws. It's been almost three years now, and I haven't fired a shot out of either one of them; but I had good intentions.

Several of the guns that are gone were wide rib K one thing or another---22-32-38--------and they were 5-screw variations----"Heavy" Masterpieces----the variation you're saying had "un-tapered" barrels. You might want to check that a little closer. I'm pretty sure you'll find wide rib, 5-screw, heavy barrels are tapered----just like these two wide rib, 4-screw barrels are tapered. I've never even held any 3-screw variations in my hand, much less measured anything on them, but I'll bet their barrels are tapered too; but what you won't find are any wide rib K-Masterpiece barrels that are not tapered----"un-tapered" as you put it. I'll grant you the wide rib guns' barrels may not look like they're tapered at first glance, but measure them----like I did.

And let me know if you still want to bet on it, 'cause I have a big pile of cash money where I used to have a big pile of guns; and I've been looking for some way to protect it from our inflation. This bet sounds like a winner!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[larryofcc]

Larry

K326533 is the lowest number on a K-22 Masterpiece that is marked as a Model 17 (that we know of). It shipped in November, 1958. It is, of course, a four screw. But there were lots of K-22s made and shipped between yours and the model marked K-22 revolvers.

You just don't see many 5 screw, wide rib, K22's for sale. Lots of the tapered bbl. type. It took me quite a while to find one for my collection. Thanks, Big Larry

 

[sceva]

Pretty sure the .125 front sight came out in the early 1950's, I'm thinking late 1952 early 1952. I'll have to get my 1952 Centennial Catalog out and check but it seems that it mentions the change.

Confirmed; Per SCS&W and the Centennial Catalog the change to a 1/8" wide Patridge occurred in 1952.

I actually prefer the narrow tapered rib; I think it just looks "right" and matching weights is not an issue for me.

Speaking of weights; I had a chuckle a while back when my Son-in law picked up my K-22 and Model 41. He is used to Glocks and commented about how heavy they were.