Attended gun show in my city yesterday and came across this S&W K22. I have been wanting one for a while. I traded a S&W 686 with 4 inch barrel and some cash ($100) for this K22. It is in great condition and I already have a 686 with a 6 inch barrel and a 7 shot cylinder that shot better they the 4 inch 686.
Anyways, I basically have $700 in this revolver.
Here are my questions in which I would appreciate your opinions.
The serial number is (16240). The same number is on the diamond magna grips and it came in a gold box with blue letters but the serial number can no longer be seen on the bottom of the box. My limited research places the year of manufacture at around 1952. Is that correct ?

What is the approximate value of this revolver ?

It is in really good shape. I am dying to shoot this revolver, but
would me shooting it on a limited basis adversely affect the value of this fine old revolver ?
Thanks in advance for your opinions

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	S-W K22-1952 (4).jpg (90.2 KB, 222 views)
	S-W K22 - 1952 (1).jpeg (121.0 KB, 273 views)

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Very nice kemper! That revolver is a classic.

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USMC 83'-87', NRA Member.

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Nice find.If you left a zero off of the end,'52 sounds right.Otherwise it's a late 40s gun.

Super deal on what is probably a 1948 gun.
Shoot it,Enjoy it.Value is,will always be,with a little care,more than 700.

Single line address,so it's 40's.

Very nice K-22 from 1947? I'd shoot it. They made quite a few and one must enjoy the finer things in life.

Here is a pic of the serial number.
Same number on grip
Is the box correct for this revolver ?

Agree with the 1948 ship date, it has the one-line "Made in U.S.A." stamp on the right forward frame.

Regarding shooting it - the photos show a little muzzle wear (probably from a holster) and I would bet it has been shot. I would clean and wax it, keep it in a soft breathable case and continue to shoot it regularly .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It's already got a turn line so it's been fired and no .22LR is ever going to wear that gun out. I'd shoot it and be plenty happy. Can I be in your will???

Thanks to Murphydog and everyone else.

There is a slight turn line on the cylinder and there is a bit of wear at the muzzle, so I'm pretty sure it's been carried and shot, but obviously taken care of so I am going to shoot this gun. I rarely buy guns I can't shoot. Call me crazy.
What kind of wax would you recommend ?
Flitz ?

'48 or earlier or would not be a single line address......I'm running a foster home for wayward Smiths (not gunsmiths either) here in Alaska. PM me for particulars......

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Go big or stay home

No-Flitz is polish,not wax.Use Renaissance.One little can will last a lifetime.

Beauitful K22!
I personally use Reniassance wax on all mine & love the results.

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Paul
SWCA #2864

Very pretty one, and at a great price. Premium for the one line address and a premium for the box.

Look carefully at the bottom of your box with a magnifier. Many times you can see an impression even when the grease pencil has worn off.

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Cy

As others have said,that is a fine example of a classic. You did very well on that trade,imo. Congratulations! And no,you will not devalue that gun by shooting it. Improper handling,maintainance and storage does that.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

I would have done that deal in a heartbeat also. Very nice on liner on the address! Enjoy it.

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2 Timothy 1:7

Congrats, nice trade, great looking k22. My online dealer had four or five S&W k22 for sale for a few years. All of a sudden they were sold. It seems there is a growing demand for these. He had some priced at $1,200. Appeared to be NIB, never fired.

I have two different reference lists on the early K frame numbers and both of them agree that this is likely a 1947 revolver. The numbers reached all the way to K187xx in 1947. Sure, it could have been shipped later. I once owned a one-liner with serial number K1009x that shipped in December, 1949, according to Roy. Obviously, it was made much earlier than that. But I don't think you would go far astray thinking that you have a revolver that was assembled in 1947.

And yes, the gold box would be correct for your K-22 Masterpiece.

You did very well in your trade. I'd have made such a trade without hesitation. That one is in very nice condition.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

That's a beauty and the price was fantastic for a one-liner K-22 in that condition. I would certainly shoot it. I have a 17-3 with a beautiful finish. The condition of the 17-3 has not been affected by the thousands of rounds shot or many hours of enjoyment experienced.

Born on date and shipped date are two different animals.

Got this one with the box, paper, screwdriver and numbered grips + stags. I must say it shoots fantastic .




FROM MR. JINKS
K22 Pre-Model 17 serial number K15488 was shipped in March 1948. I hope that this helps. Roy

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Vietnam 1969-1971

Very true. Note the following from my post #21 in this thread:
I once owned a one-liner with serial number K1009x that shipped in December, 1949, according to Roy. Obviously, it was made much earlier than that.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

K615 – K18,731…........1947 (manufacture). I have one listed which has a SN only about 30 less than yours which shipped in February 1948.

You got a bargain on a very nice gun. Enjoy it.

I have the identical gun K16273 - only 33 numbers away. According to Roy mine shipped in February 1948.

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Peter #2091