Pre 17 dilemma. Which would you keep?

[blackdeuce]

So, I have the choice of a 1948 ish k22 that has some honest wear and a small chip on the bottom of the stock. All numbers match. Original bluing. K68013.

I posted photos of the 2nd gun which we know shipped to Stoeger in 1952. Really pretty gun, but possibly re-blued. S&W did offer bright blue as an option in 1952, but this gun has no stampings to prove as much. The bluing job was really well done. Some hints that it may have been re-blued, but nothing certain.

Price is the same for both. Which one would you choose?

 

[Spurdann]

Both?

 

[Gun Relics]

I would go for the original 1948. I'm avoiding completely refinished guns because so many good original examples pop up.

 

[Engine49guy]

Im finding it difficult to detect a refinish.
Is it my imagination or is the top one in the pic of them together missing the rear sight ?

 

[blackdeuce]

Im finding it difficult to detect a refinish.
Is it my imagination or is the top one in the pic of them together missing the rear sight ?

Yeah, the 1948 gun came with a removable scope mount. We robbed the sight off of the bright blue gun and put it on the 48. There are a couple of small spots of finish wear on top of the gun, but no holes were drilled for the scope mount.

 

[SixgunFife]

If going with only one is a must, I'd vote for the '48. Granted, I'm biased as I own and regularly shoot a '47-era K22 myself.

 

[blackdeuce]

I'm planning to go with the 1948 gun since it's all original. It's not perfect, but pretty nice for it's age.

 

[Timothy2700]

Hmmm I'd be torn. 48 looks certainly looks good.
But look at the difference in the turn lines.
Original bluing or re-done? Only the lady knows for sure.

 

[blackdeuce]

Hmmm I'd be torn. 48 looks certainly looks good.
But look at the difference in the turn lines.
Original bluing or re-done? Only the lady knows for sure.

We're thinking the bright blue gun was re-blued. When you put the guns side by side, the 1948 gun has nice sharp edges and flat surfaces compared to the 1952 gun. The re-blue was well done, though.

 

[JohnRippert]

Agree with keeping the '48 version.

 

[fredcoyote]

I'd shoot them both and if one shoots better and smoother keep it. If a tie then the 48'.

I've got an nice old one that has a velvety smooth double action. It outshoots my pretty ones hands down.

Happy shootin'

 

[Mike LaNier]

I'm with Spurdann! Both! You can't have too many, you know... Mine is a 1954 vintage, and it only took me about 50 years to figure out I needed one! Make the early gun a 'safe queen' and shoot the reblue; you'll be the envy of all the range rats...!

 

[blackdeuce]

I'm with Spurdann! Both! You can't have too many, you know... Mine is a 1954 vintage, and it only took me about 50 years to figure out I needed one! Make the early gun a 'safe queen' and shoot the reblue; you'll be the envy of all the range rats...!

I'm keeping the 1948 gun and my son is keeping the re-blue gun. He's more the shooter and I'm more of a collector.