A Post War Transitional Model K-22 Dedication Thread

[Hammerdown]

Hello
With all the Threads about K-22's Lately it got me thinking of how many Post-War Transitional K-22 revolver's are out there ? I came across the example shown at a small local Gun show about a Year and a half ago. The seller really did not kow what he had other than it was a K-22. I noticed right off, that it had the larger Pre-War style extractor and barrel cut out seen on the Pre-War Models.I handled it and asked if the Magnas Numbered to the gun ? he said they did not, so that left a door open for Haggling. I left the show with it, and once I got to my Truck removed the grips to see he was Wrong as they did number to the gun and that made the deal even better. I learned it shipped in November 1947 and was surprised to see one that shipped this late In Transitional form, as it Involved more Labor cutting the bottom of the barrels to clear the closing of the cylinder. It has a Four Digit serial Number as well. Let's see how many other Post-War K-22 Trasitional revolver's are out there, and if you know your shipping date, Please share it so we can see the Months of range these were shipped. Regards, Hammerdown

 

[RKmesa]

Very Cool!

 

[handejector]

Very neat gun.

However, I'll argue with the Transition term.
I really believe that term should be reserved for post-war LONG action guns that were made after the war in a style just like pre-war guns with a hammer block added.

The short action, ribbed guns is what they transitioned TO.

If we let every feature like the big knob and a one line address define Transition guns, it gets so hazy the term means nothing.

 

[Hammerdown]

Very neat gun.

However, I'll argue with the Transition term.
I really believe that term should be reserved for post-war LONG action guns that were made after the war in a style just like pre-war guns with a hammer block added.

The short action, ribbed guns is what they transitioned TO.

If we let every feature like the big knob and a one line address define Transition guns, it gets so hazy the term means nothing.

Hello Lee
I see your Point, but I have Not seen many with the Large extractor Knob made Post-War, at least as far as the K-22's go. Have you had any of these ? I have only seen a handful of them out there, so that is why I fondly call this one a Transitional Piece. I know the Model of 1940 had a Notched hammer which in essence Transformed it from a Long action Gun to a short action model, so I Guess we could call that a Transitional piece as well ? Anyways, as I said, I have not seen many like this, so that is why I thought it would be neat to see how many more of them may be out there and in the hands of forum members here. Best regards, Hammerdown

 

[lowriderfxr]

i WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH lEE ON THIS ONE.
mANY

 

[DCWilson]

I kind of stumbled over the "transitional" term as well, but I get Hammerdown's point. These guns constitute postwar production with an obvious prewar characteristic. Interesting.

If I understand correctly, the only thing that distinguishes this variety of K-22 from the other single-line address postwar guns is the ejector rod knob and the notched barrel. I would imagine there cannot be many of them, and I bet all have serial numbers with four or fewer numerals after the K. It would be interesting to determine the highest serial number of a large-knob K-22. Would anyone care to offer an estimate of how many of these might have been produced?

Wouldn't mind having one some day, particularly in as nice a condition as the one on the original post.

 

[Sebago Son]

i WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH lEE ON THIS ONE.
mANY

mE tOO....

eVERYTHING tRANSITIONS bETWEEN ONE tHING AND aNOTHER..... jUST lOOK AT yAMAHA mOTORCYLES fOR iNSTANCE.....

 

[handejector]

I kind of stumbled over the "transitional" term as well, but I get Hammerdown's point. These guns constitute postwar production with an obvious prewar characteristic. Interesting.

Where do we stop?
Pre-war guns had 5 screws, so now we are up to 55-56 for "Tarnsition".

Right hand thread ejector rods were the norm pre-war, but ended around 1961. Can we push Transition up to then?

Diamond grips are pre-war, but ended in 68. So, are all guns up to the end of diamonds "Transition"?

Recessed chambers are a pre-war innovation, but disappeared around 1980. Transition will advance to YESTERDAY pretty soon.

My point is that the term should apply to a major MECHANICAL change, NOT cosmetic fluff. The big change- the big "transition"- was to the short action guns.
So, in my opinion, the term applies only to post-war LONG actions.
If you apply it to addresses, diamonds, threads, hammer shapes, barrel pins, one piece barrels, and screw count, every gun made before today is a "transition" to today's gun.
________________________________________________

The big knob was put on K-22's, K-38's, and PROBABLY a few K-32's, though I have never heard of one.
I suspect there are several thousand Masterpieces out there with big knobs. I think it was more about using up existing rods than anything else- valuable parts with the threads and knurling. It is only a single cut on the barrel that creates the extra notch for it.
I suspect 48 is the year they quit using them.


I look for them. I have a 38 and a 22, but they are not as nice as HD's.
22- K25XX
38- K45XX

 

[MJS5678]

Here is my K-22 that I picked up yesterday, K 1867. I also wonder how many were made with the large ejector knob.

 

[smith17]

Lee:
Regarding your statement about what qualifies, are there postwar K-22s with long actions? If so, were they left over Outdoorsman frames?

Ed

 

[BlackAgnes]

Although not a K22, this demonstrates what we might consider a "Transitional" gun: Pre-war sights, small ejector rod head, and non-ribbed barrel with "Magna" grips, AND manufactured after WWII.

Tim

 

[handejector]

Lee:
Regarding your statement about what qualifies, are there postwar K-22s with long actions? If so, were they left over Outdoorsman frames?

Ed

No, I don't believe there are.
The K-22/40 came out before the war with a short action.

The only K Target that I have knowledge of that would qualify for the Tarnsition term is the small lot of 38 M&P Targets, in pre-war style (no rib, long action) assembled with micro sights and a very tall front sight- aka "Mexican Model" because S&W hustled them off to the south.

 

[handejector]

Although not a K22, this demonstrates what we might consider a "Transitional" gun: Pre-war sights, small ejector rod head, and non-ribbed barrel with "Magna" grips, AND manufactured after WWII.

Tim

Sure, that is traditionally known as a Transition Kit Gun.

Kind of an apples and oranges discussion, however, for the small frame guns. They are seen in so many variants with the Improved I frame up till the 1953 Model frames with long grips and oval trigger guards. Except for the coil mainspring, the action did not change much in the "long or short" category.
In other words, the post-war guns and pre-war guns are virtually the same gun up to 1953.
Post-wars have the hammer block, and later postwar I's have a coil mainspring.
The hammer/trigger geometry of the K and N frames changed considerably, and the hammer stud is located differently.

 

[Memphis]

I've got K 2649 with the one line address and the large knob with barrell cutout. Sharp shoulder magnas that number to the gun.
This gun is easily the nicest condition gun I own. I would say 99%.
Per Mr. Jinks it shipped in July of 1947. Sorry no pics.

Roger

 

[wraco]

The picture is not good but here's an early post war K-22 I have. It has the one line address and the large end on the extractor tube. Stocks number to the gun. S/N K403x

Rod

 

[Hammerdown]

Here is my K-22 that I picked up yesterday, K 1867. I also wonder how many were made with the large ejector knob.

Hello Mike
I Too, Have wondered how many or how much Range of the serial numbers back then included the use of these Pre-War extractors ? I now see they were made from your serial number of 1867 Through the 4000 serial Bank. Interesting... Mine is in the low 3000 Bracket...Must have been a Bunch of Pre-War part's on hand to be used up back then. I personally prefer the Look's of this style extractor over the later ones. Keep em coming, they all Look great.. Hammerdown

 

[50 target]

Mine is K1174. Original high horn grips, large knob, cutout on bottom of barrel.all matching. Sorry, no pictures.I prefer the looks of this model to the sleeker one with the small same diameter ejector. A touch of panache

Enjoy

Bob
P.S. Since mention was made of other K models, I have a pre modell 14 with original box that is ser. # K4562 that does not have the style ejector rod with the larger knob and that ser. # is around that of the highest K number 22 mentioned here. By the way, if any of you guys know where the magna grips are to this K4562, I want'em. Let me know.

 

[fly4miles]

though not a 4 diget its a 5 (K30262) i will add it with pics maybe to compair to what is on here maybe it will help the discussion