K-22 Masterpiece 1949

[DARE]

Serial number K51403. Numbers match on cylinder, barrel and back of star. With the small charge holes and old eyes cannot tell about the yoke. Roy says November 1948. I think it is the narrow rib. Looks like some kind of a bead sight. Was that a factory option?
Disappointed in the condition. Seller's pictures were not very good. SCSW 4th says a Good condition Post 1945 gun should have 75% finish. I'm thinking this one may be more like 60%.
Would be interested in what y'all think.
I normally letter all guns, but with the condition of this one will think about it for a while.
Have a set of K frame diamond Magnas on the way. They are not the sharp shoulder. A Forum member gifted them to me. Since the gun is not very nice I think that will be good enough.
The number on the grips that are on the gun is K869147. Just in case someone has that gun.

 

[pasound]

If the action is smooth and the lockup tight, looks like a good shooter grade. Change the stocks and enjoy it. My 4-digit 1947 vies with my 617-6 and Single Six as the most accurate. It really likes SV ammo, Federal, CCI, and Aguila. Interestingly, it shoots Federal Punch to POI without any sight changes.

 

[thadheth]

I believe both gold and ivory front bead sights were an option. I have one with ivory a bit younger than yours.
Love that Warren Spahn (Boston Braves) picture and notation - was this alleged to be one of his guns? Growing up in the Boston suburbs, I recall him well - a southpaw with a giant stretch pitching delivery.

 

[DARE]

No connection with Warren Spahn. The gun shipped in November 1948. The photos are of the front and the back of Warren's 1948 Bowman baseball card. That is his rookie card and is probably worth more than the gun.
Since the gun and the card were both 1948 I put the card in the photos.

 

[USBP SW]

Dave, that is definitely the narrow rib and the front sight may have been rounded from the factory patridge by a previous owner. Nevertheless, the k-22 is likely one of the most enjoyable revolvers Smith and Wesson ever produced. Shoot it and enjoy it!

 

[OutWest50]

An experienced old fellow ....I like it !!!

 

[DARE]

I think this is the correct SAT for the gun. SCSW 4th says:
1940-1948 Nickel knurled-handled screwdriver with black oxide shaft.

 

[Drm50]

Everyone is different but I take original Magnas off and store separate from misc extra grips ( “stocks” for those in Rio Linda ) and replace with target type grips. The “ correct “ grips do not add to accuracy, just collector value.

 

[Gun Relics]

I think this is the correct SAT for the gun. SCSW 4th says:
1940-1948 Nickel knurled-handled screwdriver with black oxide shaft.

Yep, that should be it. Here's a photo I liberated from someone - it's great. Want to thank whoever the collector was who put this together.

 

[rct269]

Yep, that should be it. Here's a photo I liberated from someone - it's great. Want to thank whoever the collector was who put this together.

I believe you'll find a fellow from your neighboring state of Arizona put it together---the fellow with all those "scratched up" guns we see here every now and then---those in minute detail----in perfect focus, perfect color, and perfect everything else!! All of which is to say he's been there and done that---more than once!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Truckman]

I believe you'll find a fellow from your neighboring state of Arizona put it together---the fellow with all those "scratched up" guns we see here every now and then---those in minute detail----in perfect focus, perfect color, and perfect everything else!!

Those overachiever guys really make life embarrassing for us sloths, Ralph......Ben

 

[rct269]

Those overachiever guys really make life embarrassing for us sloths, Ralph......Ben

You got THAT right!! But on the other hand, you have to admit that particular overachiever does it with style-----the way it ought to be done!! Other such oft times flaunt it! Then again, they earned it---more often than not.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Truckman]

You got THAT right!! But on the other hand, you have to admit that particular overachiever does it with style!!

Indeed...Always just fact, no brag...His guns speak for themselves......Ben

 

[444 Magnum]

David, this one is in the 77K range for sight comparison. As you mentioned, it has the sharp shoulder diamond magnas.

 

[jeffrefrig]

K91609, shipped October 24, 1950. My dad bought this one, and besides his memory, this and a 1947 Marlin.22, are the best things I own. I should have at least wiped it down!
Nice gun OP.

 

[DARE]

Many thanks to USBP SW. Steve gifted me this pair of diamond Magna stocks.
A little bit of green around the medallions, stock circles, grip screw and escutcheon. How should I clean that up? Serial number on the grip is 385197. According to SCSW 4th that would be about 1959. I would worry about cleaning plastic medallions. Seems I remember they were around the 1951-1953 period. The grips that were on the gun are from about 1969.

 

[cleger]

Many thanks to USBP SW. Steve gifted me this pair of diamond Magna stocks.
A little bit of green around the medallions, stock circles, grip screw and escutcheon. How should I clean that up? Serial number on the grip is 385197. According to SCSW 4th that would be about 1959. I would worry about cleaning plastic medallions. Seems I remember they were around the 1952-1953 period. The grips that were on the gun from about 1969.

Leave it. I've got a NIB model 65-1 and the medallions have verdigris. Meanwhile, I'm restoring a pair of PC Magnas, and researching ways to reproduce that "green."

 

[RKmesa]

Yep, that should be it. Here's a photo I liberated from someone - it's great. Want to thank whoever the collector was who put this together.

That was my old chart. I updated it with this one...

Hope it continues to be helpful.

 

[DARE]

Cleaned them up with acetone. Did not seem to hurt the medallions. Think I will order a letter. Confirm that it shipped with a gold bead. My picture does not show it well, but looking down the barrel it is definitely a gold bead.

 

[Green Frog]

Thanks for that neat ID chart, RKMesa! I plan to print out a card sized copy to keep in my wallet to take to Gen shows. Can you make a good estimate as to when the change from knurled blue to knurled aluminum handles took place, since both came post War? TIA!
Froggie