S&W Model 17 (K-22)

FLY BOY

FLY BOY

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Hello I am in search of a date that my dad has told me to be correct. I have a K-22 model 17 with original gold colored box. The serial number is
K 101629 and he said it is a 1947-48 model which make it a generation 3? Can someone please clarify?
 
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Welcome to the Forum! According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 5th Edition which we use as our "bible" in these matters, the serial number you gave of K 101629 puts that gun right in the middle of 1950. The K pre-fix serial number assignments for 1950 began with K 84150 and ended with K 104047. The Gold box may be period correct and if your serial number is written on bottom with grease pencil then it may be the original box for the gun.

You do not have a Model 17 as Model numbers did not start until 1957 first appearing in 1958. Pictures of your gun would help to place a condition and/or value on your gun if you wish same.

Others who are true experts in K 22 Masterpiece revolvers may be along soon to add their advise.
 
Yes....you have a K22 Masterpiece, post wwII, 3rd Model....also known by collectors as a "pre-17" because it became the Model 17 in 1957.

I have bought and sold many of these fine guns, and below are two, also post war, and all matching numbers (butt, cylinder, right grip panel, under extractor star). From my pics below serial number K 905 shipped in August 1947, and serial number K 42372 shipped in 1948.

These are highly desirable S&W classic 22 revolvers so enjoy yours.

K 22 - 2.jpgK 22 -4.jpgK22 - 8.JPGK22 1948 -1.JPGK22 1948 -3.JPG
 
Welcome to the S&W Forum, Fly Boy

As Charlie pointed out, you have a K-22 Masterpiece, five screw variation. At
K101629, I suspect yours left the factory in 1951. Here are some nearby serial numbers with confirmed ship dates:

K99066 shipped in January 1951
K99367 shipped in December 1950
K100785 shipped in January 1951
K107617 shipped in July 1951
 
Thanks very much, attached is some pictures to help figure out maybe the year 1955 and or the value. The handles are all just to show you the numbers that it has original.
 

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Hello can anyone help me out with the pictures I have posted? cmansguns ask me to post pictures that would help on the value. I also have the original box and grips. Thanks flyboy
 
Interesting the box is not gold it is blue with red reinforced metal corners and the end of the box states Masterpiece K-22 blue 6” . No mentioning of model 17 on there no where?
 
FLY BOY said:
Interesting the box is not gold it is blue with red reinforced metal corners and the end of the box states Masterpiece K-22 blue 6” . No mentioning of model 17 on there no where?
Click to expand...
S$W didn’t assign model numbers until ‘57.
 
I certainly agree with Jack, the value of your K22 Masterpiece is around $800 currently, and that would be IF your right hand grip panel has the same serial number as the gun, making it original to the gun. Personally I would add maybe $100 IF the box is not only period correct (meaning gold) but actually also marked on bottom with pencil or grease pencil with the same matching serial number, making it the original box for the gun.

All in all it appears you have a nice gun, highly desired by both collectors and shooters so take it out for some shooting exercise when you can and give us a range report. Those old guns shoot amazingly well if you do your part.
 
Hello, the picture that I posted of the box could it be the correct one? I was asked to load the picture. Please look above with picture and statement. Thanks.
 
I did some research on these boxes a few years ago. The research was far from complete, but it indicates that the blue box appeared around the middle of 1953, near SN 206XXX.
The blue box would seem incorrect, but not very far off from what we think it should be.
 
Ok thank you and everyone else that has participated in this conversation. It was all well worth it and very knowledgeable. I guess my dad found that box and put it in it. I’ll never know? But the rest of it is original.
 
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