Advice, M17 & M18-4

[107driver]

Aficionados,

I have a Model 17 and an 18-4, and I think I need to let one go. I imagine keeping one for my son when he is old enough to learn, and as an heirloom for him. I would greatly appreciate any advice on which you might keep and why, and a rough idea of current market values for each. Serial # for the 17 is 1739XX, and 98K09XX for the 18.

Best regards,
--Matt

 

[Dvus]

Unless absolutely necessary, keep them both. If I HAD to let one go, I would keep the 18. They seem to shoot as well if not better than the 17s and are more versatile regarding carry. At the moment I have four 18s or pre 18s and no 17s.

 

[DR505]

I have them both as well, and I think I prefer the Model 18 due to the barrel contour. I am keeping both though. As for values, check the recent online auctions.

An 18-3 and a 17-6

 

[JP@AK]

To begin with, your premise is incorrect. Your choice is NOT between a Model 17 and a Model 18-4.

What you are calling a Model 17 is nothing of the kind. The incomplete serial number you gave and the obvious presence of the fifth screw together indicate a K-22 Masterpiece from 1953. (The serial number is K1739xx.) The only thing not original on the K-22 in your picture is the grip adapter.

That should make your decision quite simple. A five screw K-22 Masterpiece in that condition is decidedly worth more than a very late .22 Combat Masterpiece from the dash 4 period. I'd put the current market value of the K-22 Masterpiece at $800 to $1,000, and it will continue to appreciate over time. KEEP IT!

 

[gmborkovic]

Matt, your son will deserve and appreciate both of them.

 

[44wheelman]

the longer bbl will be easier to shoot more accurately, that was more fun for me early on.

And as noted, I would hang on to the more collectable version. Your 6" seems to have the "narrow rib, tapered bbl" feature. Later K22 and 17's had a straight barrel and wider rib,

 

[Oldengineer]

In my opinion, if you can't keep both of them, keep the model 18 because it is more versatile and collectible. I've got one 17 and three 18's —- and am always interested in another 18 should I stumble across one!

 

[JP@AK]

keep the model 18 because it is more . . . collectible.

This is utter nonsense. There are tons of .22 Combat Masterpiece Model 18 revolvers around. Not so with early tapered barrel five screw K-22 Masterpiece units, especially in that condition. A Model 18-4 will never be as collectable as that 1953 K-22 Masterpiece, especially given its condition and originality.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I would love to have either one. Wouldn't matter a hoot to me. I probably wouldn't need both either. Probably come down to which one I like to shoot more. The monetary value wouldn't be a consideration for me. The money would probably be spent regardless.

ETA. Looking at GI there are 6x more 17's for sale than 18's. I'm not sure why someone would think the 18 is more common. But then I don't follow the market.

 

[silicosys4]

I have both an 18-3 as well as a 17-2 and a 1955 K22.
Personally, a .22 DA revolver is a range toy, pure and simple.
As such, I find the M17 to be the better shooter.

 

[Norton 750]

You will each need a .22 when he is old enough to start shooting and hunting with his dad. In my adult life, I feel sorry for my brother not being into cars and guns like dad was. I spent time with him doing car stuff and gun stuff that I would not trade for anything. A lot would go before I would sell a .22 Smith...cable TV, smart phone, pre-packaged food, eating out.....

 

[dsk]

Unless you are seriously hurting for money don't let go of either. Thoughts of "I really don't need both of these" will soon pass. I've had and acted on that thought a few times, and eventually I got so tired of kicking myself afterwards that I purged it from my consciousness forever.

 

[107driver]

Thank you for the research! I finally found the right page in my Standard Catalog and I think it's actually 1952--will try to link below. Sound advice.

--Matt

To begin with, your premise is incorrect. Your choice is NOT between a Model 17 and a Model 18-4.

What you are calling a Model 17 is nothing of the kind. The incomplete serial number you gave and the obvious presence of the fifth screw together indicate a K-22 Masterpiece from 1953. (The serial number is K1739xx.) The only thing not original on the K-22 in your picture is the grip adapter.

That should make your decision quite simple. A five screw K-22 Masterpiece in that condition is decidedly worth more than a very late .22 Combat Masterpiece from the dash 4 period. I'd put the current market value of the K-22 Masterpiece at $800 to $1,000, and it will continue to appreciate over time. KEEP IT!

 

[107driver]

Thanks to all for the thoughtful responses--at least for the moment you have convinced me to hang onto both of them.

 

[JP@AK]

Thank you for the research!

You are welcome, Matt.

I finally found the right page in my Standard Catalog and I think it's actually 1952

Those dates are approximate manufacturing dates.

In the S&W world, the ship date is the official "birth date." Here are representative examples of K target unit actual ship dates from the period in question:

K171435, a .22 Combat Masterpiece, shipped in February 1953
K175285, a K-22 Masterpiece, shipped in March 1953
K175537 a .22 Combat Masterpiece, shipped in May 1953

It is a good bet yours left the factory in 1953. Frankly, as nice as that one is, I'd letter it to find out exactly when it shipped and to whom.

I'm glad for you that you decided to keep it. The Model 18-4 is a good revolver too. Hanging onto both of them is a fine idea.

 

[Pine_Worker]

I would keep both! However, I find the 17 more desirable than the 18, I have both.

 

[Engine49guy]

Thanks to all for the thoughtful responses--at least for the moment you have convinced me to hang onto both of them.

Gotta love a happy ending !

 

[65Whelen]

If you have to pick one, most definitely the 5-screw Model 17. From a collectors view point the 17 is way more desirable. I have one myself.

 

[Oldengineer]

Glad you chose to keep both of them. I agree that the 5 screw 22 Masterpiece is more collectible than a 18-4. A 17-4 vs an 18-4 is a much different question.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm in the same boat, sort of. I've got a 1951, K-22 and a 1965 Model 18-2. I paid a LOT more for the 18-2 than for the five screw K-22. Around here K-22's turn up fairly often. Model 18's almost never turn up (The Model 18 did have the box, the three 'T's" and factory diamond target grips (as verified by the end tag on the box), so that may have contributed to the price.)

1965, 18-2

1951 K-22

Keeping both is the correct answer but if I was only going to keep one, it would be the Model 18-2, even though the K-22 is almost a birth year gun (I'm a '52 myself). I just really like a 4" barrel more.