Sir, PLEASE Sir!!?? May I have the nickel and stag, please Sir??

Greetings,

Last winter I was able to find a one owner K22! I'd been looking around for a while (though not intently) and this one just popped up. It is a 4 screw, 4 line address, SN K-125574 w/ 6" barrel. Not sure exactly when it was manufactured, but seems to be late '40s to early '50s from what I've read here. I'll try to get some pix up, but a guess would be about 90%+ condition, original box in great shape, wrapping paper and cleaning tool came with. Grips are original with very sharp checkering and have the diamond and medallion. The only aftermarket part is a metal Pachmeyer grip extension. I may have paid a bit too much ($500), but it was a friends recently deceased fathers', so funds were going to help the estate settle with the gov.

The cylinder and extractor were pretty jammed up from gunky oil and each slot in the cylinder was almost too dirty to insert a round. An hour or so of cleaning and it seems to be working like new. The only thing I don't like about it are the very small (even with the extension) grips; they just don't fit my hands at all. Otherwise, it's a real beauty with a smooth trigger pull that shoots nicely. I was very happy to add it to my S&W stable as the oldest of all of them.

Thanks to everyone for any further insight and all the great info that you guys continue to put up on the board.

Regards, Jim

Beautiful guns,posts and pictures. Thank God for Smith & Wesson's. They are so classy.
I am going to get out my smiths in a few days and look at them.

This 1954 4" is a real beaut, but maybe too nice to shoot. All that's missing is the SAT.

Your comment on the Colt brought back a fond memory. I was a member of the Ohio Gun Collectors Assn. back in the late 70s & every other month we held a huge show/gathering at Veteran's Memorial in Columbus & thousands flocked to it. I think is was the Winter of 84 or 85 when I arrived at the show with my buddy who was a suburban fire chief. Well it was snowing pretty good & I stepped out to the lot to grab a smoke & noticed a very elderly man struggling with two suit cases on a small cart trying to get through the slop in the lot so I went about 20 yards over & asked if I could help. Well he was very thankful for the offer & he was even older than I thought...I would guess late 70s to early 80s. So I get him to the main entrance & I notice he really pulls his hat down over his ears & you can't see his face which was a bit odd since we were now inside. Buddy sees me as he was wondering why a smoke took 20 minutes so I tell him & old guy says to help him get to 2nd floor so we do. Anyhow when we get to his small space with one small table setup he introduces himself in a real quiet voice & tells us he is a retired Colt Custom Shop guy who every other year picks one gun show to unload guns that have been in the shop unclaimed for in excess of three to four years & usually that amounts to 10-15 handguns so he is in & out within an hour once somebody sees him. He offers us first dibs because we took care of him & I got a Officers Target 22 totally restored to new while my buddy chose a SSA in 38 special....his was quite a bit more money than mine. We decided since he gave us that chance we would stick around with him & within 90 minutes he unloaded 11 other handguns...we walked him back out & saw him out of the lot headed back east. Papers came with the guns stating what had been done to them as well as a statement pertaining to the gun's original history. Todd still has his SSA 38 & although I kept mine about a decade (unfired) I finally traded even up on a 70 series Gold Cup. Those were the days.

This I believe is a modern K22. The model I have is perfect. Wish I had a box. Wonder if I should shoot it.

Back in the Middle Ages, when I attended the police academy; our ONLY firearms training consisted of 100 rounds fired through some fine old K-22 revolvers. I remember that we had a recruit that was loading the 22 ammo from the front of the cylinder and attempting to close it. He was standing next to me and as I was attempting to stop him, an instructor was on him like a duck on a june bug. Needless to say, he didn't make it.

Have an 8 3/8 inch 17 with target hammer, target trgger and target grips that I picked up at a gun show 30+ years ago. Shoots like a rifle. Great guns.

For YEARS I've had the K22 my late father left me when he passed away in June of '84...he asked me to promise that I'd never sell it and I've kept my word...I pawned it a few times nut always redeemed it...the SN K2440XX. Dunno when it was made...Dad had it at least since the early 60s (IIRC) - when I got it it was in the original blue S&W cardboard box with the standard small square grips - he put on a grip adapter (forget what they were officially called)...over the years (before I became a collector (of C&R) I wanted those small grips and the adapter gone so I replaced the small grips with S&W large target grips...the gun is in EXCELLENT condition, due more to benign neglect than actual TLC...no rust or scratches - like it was bought yesterday...any idea of when it was made or a rough estimate of worth??? Not looking to sell under any circumstances..when I had my stroke in 2002 and was subsequently evicted and went homeless for a few months I managed to hang onto it through the good graces of a friend...don't shoot it much, but that may change once .22 LR becomes more commonly available...

CB in FL

Mine, fortunately, is not too nice to shoot. Made 1955 and thoroughly reblued - including trigger and hammer - sometime during its long life. I have no complaints.

I have one for using too-

Ansac really likes the K22 as well and even though there already are loaders for them on the market, they put together one that really I think compliments the Gun nicely. Not Cheap but neither is the quality of the old ones. Mine is newer and took for ever to get. I am happy!

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Glad to see that you have managed to hang on to it through some tough times. Once gone they can never be replaced. Your fathers gun probably dates to around 1955 if shipped in normal order. Unfortunately, S&W did not ship in order of serial numbers so these are only rough guesstimates. Value is tough without seeing the gun in person but if it is as nice as you say and you have the original stocks and box, tools and paperwork, your dads gun could go over $1,000. These guns are now 60 years old and finding them in pristine condition is getting harder and harder.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I just picked up this K22. It is a 5-screw, ser. no. in the 50000 range. Can anyone estimate year of manufacture?

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Wheel guns are fun!

i got this one in a package deal with some really nice 1911s. To be honest I was focusing on the 1911s and not so much this gun, so never really looked too deeply into it.

Can the experts here tell me a bit about it? I've seen some pictures where the early outdoorsman grips have more of a rounded top. Is this the correct grip for a pre-war model? Serial # is in the 692,XXX range.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

"Thanks for any information you can provide."

I can provide the information that you have about as nice of a rimfire revolver & box that I've seen.

GF

First, let me say, that is truly a wonderful specimen of that model. Your pictures show great detail.
That is a Smith and Wesson K22 2nd Model, Masterpiece. It was manufactured in 1940. There were a total of 1067 manufactured. They introduced that Model after the run of the K22 Outdoorsman.
The serial number 'range' is incorrect for that model. Please examine the bottom of the grip to find it stamped into the metal.
Those stocks are correct for that model and are quite righteous themselves. The box is in impeccable condition. Please examine the bottom of the box and let us know what is there. Should be a paper tape with 'K22-40' stamped on it in red ink and the serial number penciled in on the paper tape.

Thanx for the pictures.
bdGreen

Thanx, I see you changed the serial number. I appreciate that.

Thanks for the information bdGreen. I've corrected the serial number range. Those tiny numbers are hard to read!!!!

The box does indeed have a piece of paper tape on the bottom but sadly the words have faded and are not longer visible.

hmm, there was a helpful post which seems to have been deleted. In that post the author stated that the grips should have a silver medallion with patent information and that the grips may or may not have a serial number stamped into them. Here is a pic of the insides of the grips



That post also asked if it had a gold bead front sight, which it does.



lastly a pic of the bottom of the box where you can see the paper tape, but no words visible.



Thanks again for your insights on this gun.
-b

Don't know much about 1911s in general and nothing about the ones in your package deal, but the gun you are showing here might just make them seem like a "booger" and this be the gem of your deal!! You have a fantastic find here!!!!

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

"That post also asked if it had a gold bead front sight, which it does."

If that is truly a gold bead then I believe it was special ordered from Smith or was swapped out with the original sight blade after it left the factory. They were typically putting stainless beads on at that point. But, they could be ordered. The pin holding the sight blade in appears to be below the surface a thousanth or two. May have been removed and then replaced when the front sight was changed.
That is just my assessment from the images you have posted. Others may have different opinions.
It's unfortunate the paper tape on the bottom has been rendered unreadable. It's a shame what 75 years will do to a piece of paper with some pencil marks...

Great gun, wonderful pictures.

Thanx again,
bdGreen

Those stocks are definitely correct for the vintage of that model, which was only produced in 1940.

They were issued up thru the early 1950s and are referred to as "sharp shouldered" Magnas. Beginning in the early '50s, the sharp shoulder became rounded as they remain to this day.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Just took mine to the range yesterday. Have not had it out for a year. The last time I had it out my grandson fired it a few times and he looked at me and said "grandpa when you get old I want that gun". I hope it's a little while longer but it will be his.

ah ok, I didn't know they were using stainless at that time as well. I looked at saw a metallic bead and assumed it had to be brass. The color is actually kind of in between. It's not quite as yellow as brass, nor is it completely silver like stainless. But it's closer to silver than yellow, so it's probably the stainless bead....

I'm just a beginner smith collector -- so many details to learn!

Thanks again!
-b

Fantastic Gun, Box and Photos!!! BD shared great information with you. Here's a link to a thread where there is a lot of info posted on these pre-war K-22 Masterpieces (also known as a "22-40"): A Couple of Pre-War 22-40 Masterpieces

Thanks for sharing,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I got this one from my Dad's estate several years ago. He didn't have the paperwork or box which is ok with me. Great gun. He had the "bone" grips on it and I replaced them with Pachmayr Presentation grips. I have the originals stored to protect them. Have to say it is a great shooter and accurate. The number is in the 362XXX range. I called S&W when I got this one and the other two (19-4 and 28-2). They verified the K-22 DOB as 1959. For its age I htink it is in really good shape. He kept in by the door loaded (lived in Montana) in a leather holster; ready to go.

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J.P.

A friend has an old K-22 serial number 5206. Can someone
tell me the shipping date? I tried finding it in my Standard
Catalog of Smith & Wesson with no luck. If it's in there
would you give me the page number?

Page 398. 1947

Over at mom's today and was rummaging around for something, when wonder of wonders, I found the holster for my grandfather's .22. I had thought this was long lost.

The George Laurence Co. Portland Oregon. 122B SA 5/12

LOL.... did you notice Lomax posted it 2010?

This must be old thread revisited day!

That said it's a great old thread with pictures!!!!!!

(Just realized this thread was started 5 years ago. . . ) I would say all 22 Target revolvers are considered K22s, even though they are not stamped with a "K". Was lucky to pick up a first year K22 Outdoorsman, First Model this year. I have also found these target K frames to be hard to resist and started collecting a couple of years ago. Now have a birth year K22 & K38 Masterpiece, a K38 Heavy Barreled Masterpiece, and my first year production K22 Outdoorsman. They are great fun to shoot and enjoy taking them to the range.

Anyway, my well used K22 Outdoorsman (not my box) and my Masterpiece revolvers to date.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Unless it's a J-frame.......... then it's a "K..it-gun"

I just have the one K22, but it's the last handgun I'd ever sell ...

. . . but the thread is only about early K22s, as were my comments . . . and post-war Masterpiece revolvers are not "early" to me.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Your comment;

"......all .22 Target revolvers are considered K22s....."

Just spoofing you a bit........ and I think folks forget about the 4 and 6 inch adjustable sighted 34s out there

This is the 20th k-22 made. Given to a Springfield Ma police office by Victor Wesson in January 1931

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Don Mundell

Light Freckling, orange color sometimes is dried gun oil. I got a deal on two k series s&w revolvers I thought were at least a shooter grade and sold for a 95% condition because of light freckling. After a good cleaning and polishing there near 99/99.9%. One is 99%, the other is 99.9%. Now I hate to take them shooting.

Wow Great gun Don, That was a four inch? Can't be many of those out there. I could't blow the picture up enough to read the inscription. Training gun or retirement gun?

It reads "Presented to Joseph Gaudreau by Victor Wesson 1930" It was presented to him following a chase involving him getting shot at by one of three men. This occurred in November of 1930. He did manage to get the car stopped and handcuff one of the three men. The others were captured later. The barrel was shortened by Smith & Wesson later.

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Don Mundell

I just picked up this beautiful K22 specimen today.
48 no dash serial # 371xxx Tomorrow will be our first range trip!

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I reckon so

This one belonged to a friend of mine, It's a five screw with a serial number in the 20XXX range so it dates to 1948, I believe. I think his father actually bought it and he inherited it. We shot it some in the late 1950s and it was a hard gun to miss with. He sold me his collection about 10 years ago, and it had suffered various indignities in the interim. Chicoine waved his magic wand over it and it sure is a nice piece now. Shoots as well as it looks. I put the target grips on it, I think they're Italian.

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It could be light freckling from dried oil. I'd try polishing it first.

Received from relative.. ser# K 3240. Some holster wear. Minor cylinder ring. Shoots great! Any info from ser. # ? Dates of. Thanks.

1947. THere were 3 guns shipped in 1946, and by 1948 they were in the K50,000 range.

Nickel 99.99% was a later refinish.

Charlie

Also, your revolver probably has the large ejector rod knob seen on prewar and wartime revolvers. The first roughly 5500 K-22 revolvers made after the war utilized some leftover prewar parts. When those large knob rods were gone, the company began installing the new no-knob rods with knurled tips. Your gun will also have the single line address "MADE IN U.S.A." After April of 1948, the K-Masterpiece guns had the more familiar four-line address that includes the phrase "MARCAS REGISTRADAS."

The large knob and single line address are generally but not universally considered to impart a little extra value to the postwar Masterpiece revolvers.

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David Wilson

It's not possible to be very precise about dating without getting a factory letter, but I would guess yours probably shipped in the late 1947-early 1948 period. The extractor rod knob mentioned earlier is shaped sort of like a knurled barrel. That was changed to a knurled rod tip (no knob) starting somewhere around SN K 4600, so yours should have the knob. Those having the knob are more desirable and valuable to collectors than the later K-22s due to the scarcity factor.

Scrapsj, my K-22 Masterpiece is in the high K2700 serial number range and and shipped 8/22/47 so yours probably shipped within a month + or - of that date given that they didn't ship in exact serial number order but were going out of the factory as fast as they could make them with the high demand for that new model after the war.

Thanks all for the info. Mine does have the knobbed extractor and single line Made in the USA. Before today I thought 1970-1980 due to condition. Never would have guessed 47 !