22LR revolver model & age question

[JSR III]

Ahhh, the old pre model discussion rears its ugly head. As others have stated the term pre model is collector speak referring to guns made before model numbers were assigned. Some will argue that any gun before model numbers is a pre model and others will argue that only those made immediately before model numbers and with no other engineering changes qualify.

It reminds me of the BC discussion. Since no one knew that there was to be a Christ then those people living BC would not have known that it was BC.

But it always starts a lively discussion.....

 

[BC38]

Ahhh, the old pre model discussion rears its ugly head. As others have stated the term pre model is collector speak referring to guns made before model numbers were assigned. Some will argue that any gun before model numbers is a pre model and others will argue that only those made immediately before model numbers and with no other engineering changes qualify.

It reminds me of the BC discussion. Since no one knew that there was to be a Christ then those people living BC would not have known that it was BC.

But it always starts a lively discussion.....

Great analogy. "Pre" doesn't really mean anything until the "post" time-frame.
One of those paradoxes of "hindsight" a.k.a. looking back from a historical perspective.

 

[Engine49guy]

The 4" K22 Combat Masterpiece is a neat revolver, at the time it was introduced the 6" had the same narrow rib barrel, the 6" barrel rib was made slightly wider around 1955 but the 4" kept the old narrow rib barrel with mating frame notches so the Model 17 and Model 18's had different barrels and frame at the top strap where it met the barrel until the end of the dash 4 revision.
There was no 18-5, the Model 18 was dropped discontinued and the new heavy barrel 17-5 was offered in 4", 6" and 8"3/8 lengths to simplify production.
(On a side note to confuse things the Model 18 line was revived during the IL era as a "classic series" ).
Early 17-6 had the same HB which changed to a full underlug eventually.
The only K22 that had the half lug barrel IIRC was the Model 53 Jet when fitted with the optional .22lr cylinder.
If you are interested in the design evolution did a thread years back, here is a link.
Scroll down to post #25 to begin.

Some Combat Masterpiece eye candy

 

[4K2022]

So, you prefer S&W revolvers from before WWII. I get it.

As for the "stepping stone" comment, consider this:

S&W began using a letter prefix in serial numbers in April, 1942, with the so-called Victory Model. Immediately after the war, all K and N frame revolvers were assigned letter prefixes. The target sight K frames, beginning with the K-22 Masterpiece on August 19, 1946, were assigned a K prefix. This was a dozen years before there were any model numbered guns. I rather doubt anyone at the company was thinking of model numbers at that time.

Always a pleasure to get a hand on my shoulder. Because of this forum I learned the difference between a collection of guns and a gun collection, VERY quickly! I will go as far as saying,, I bet someone out there collects .22 caliber S&Ws with Only serial numbers that include a "K. I had to develop a focus because I want one of each,, like appetizers!! I have a BSR that I use to remind myself of my intentions

 

[Green Frog]

Always a pleasure to get a hand on my shoulder. Because of this forum I learned the difference between a collection of guns and a gun collection, VERY quickly! I will go as far as saying,, I bet someone out there collects .22 caliber S&Ws with Only serial numbers that include a "K. I had to develop a focus because I want one of each,, like appetizers!! I have a BSR that I use to remind myself of my intentions

And then there are those of us who are gun accumulators, grabbing anything that catches our eye.
Froggie

 

[JSR III]

Leave us not forget those guns with our lucky number in the serial number. I was once at a local gun shop picking up an online win when the owner said, "If you like S&W's, I may have something else that you might like!!" He said that he had a S&W Commemorative that had just come in and maybe I would like it. I said to myself, since Commemorative's are not always great investments, if my lucky number (5) is in the serial number perhaps I will take the plunge.

The dealer returned and opened the case containing the knife and gun and the serial number on both was TR 555. Needless to say it now resides in my collection.


On another occasion I was at a local show and a dealer was selling a Model 17 K 22. The serial number was K 1722 so it too now resides in my collection.

So there are many reasons to purchase S&W's, some just haven't been thought up yet.....

 

[4K2022]

Leave us not forget those guns with our lucky number in the serial number. I was once at a local gun shop picking up an online win when the owner said, "If you like S&W's, I may have something else that you might like!!" He said that he had a S&W Commemorative that had just come in and maybe I would like it. I said to myself, since Commemorative's are not always great investments, if my lucky number (5) is in the serial number perhaps I will take the plunge.

The dealer returned and opened the case containing the knife and gun and the serial number on both was TR 555. Needless to say it now resides in my collection.


On another occasion I was at a local show and a dealer was selling a Model 17 K 22. The serial number was K 1722 so it too now resides in my collection.

So there are many reasons to purchase S&W's, some just haven't been thought up yet.....

I thought up a new reason!! But I'm probably wrong, original thought is rare. Although not quite a .22 a John Ross .500 Magnum two tone made its way into the cabinet late last year. When I noticed the bead blasted stainless sporting the matching serial numerals, (as I've read before) this gun was coming home with ME. Since the purchase of the latter, there has been proof of higher serial numbers that replaced lower serial numbered "defective" guns.