K-22 Masterpiece Pre Model 17 Manufacture Date?

[jdbbilliards]

Hi Guys,

Could someone run this serial number and tell me some background on this pistol? It seems to be in excellent condition in my opinion and wanted to see when it was manufactured. The serial number seemed low to me but might not actually be that early in the big picture. So nice, I was just curious if it's not as old as I think it is. Matching Diamond Magna grips as well. Very proud to have found this one!

Thank you as always for your expert opinions...

[COYOTEHUNTER]

I am going to say Jan. or Feb. 1948. Very nice looking one line adress K22.

[arjay]

That is early.1947.

[weatherby]

That's a NICE one.
Are the magnas rosewood ?

[Cooter Brown]

A very nice example!

Like Arjay indicated, likely 1947, at least according to the catalog.

Mine, SN 7920, letters as shipping to Abercrombie & Fitch in December, 1947. I forget the exact day.

Smith did not necessarily ship in numerical sequence.

[linde]

Originally Posted by jdbbilliards

. . . Could someone run this serial number and tell me some background on this pistol? . . . wanted to see when it was manufactured.

Originally Posted by COYOTEHUNTER

I am going to say Jan. or Feb. 1948 . . .

I'm going to side with COYOTEHUNTER on Jan/Feb 1948 . . . but agree with everyone that you have a very nice K-22. Congratulations,

Russ

[Dosgatos]

S&W sure sold a lot of guns back then! Cooter Brown's #7920 shipped in December of 1947, my 16273 shipped in February 1948. I agree with COYOTEHUNTER: probably January of 1948.

Beautiful gun, BTW.

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by Dosgatos

S&W sure sold a lot of guns back then! Cooter Brown's #7920 shipped in December of 1947, my 16273 shipped in February 1948. I agree with COYOTEHUNTER: probably January of 1948.

Beautiful gun, BTW.

Serial numbers track very poorly with shipping dates during that period. I know of one with a much lower SN than K16273 that shipped in very late 1948.