Ok my 1948 k22 masterpiece has the serial number correct to the date of the post war k22's. It has the gold box with the tools. Now on the box it's printed TARGET?
My problem is in the s&w bible book in the post k22 section there's no reference to masterpiece target k22's?

S&W always called it "the K-22 Masterpiece" in their advertising and the same for the K-38. It was a target revolver, and is sometimes represented as the K-22 Masterpiece target revolver. This was true until S&W began the model numbering system in 1957, when the K-22 Masterpiece became the Model 17, but the Masterpiece name still lives on. What it is not is "the K-22 Target Masterpiece."

Thanks for explaining everything.

I never owned a s&w gun since I started with guns about 45 years ago. I purchased this k22 for my 4yo grandson. After fondling it I purchased a s&w new m57 & m58 soon after. Since three years ago it's been s&w revolvers only ever since. The grandson will have a nice assortment to enjoy at the range.

Lucky kid.

I am up for adoption if you need anymore!

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

He now has a collection of late 1800 & early 1900 single shot 22cal boys rifles and the older 22cal pump rifles besides a vast array of 22 revolvers.
I want him to have the toys incase I pass on before he's old enough.

Good grandfather!
I have 21 grandkids and one or two of my sons aren't finished yet. So my grandchildren will have to settle for fewer guns each . . .

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Can you post a picture of the box and the word "Target"?

I have a 1948 K22 Masterpiece with original box and it says "Smith & Wesson K 22 Masterpiece Target Revolver" on the side label, but not on the top or end labels. Is that what you are referring to? Even with that marking it still says K 22 Masterpiece, while the Target Revolver designation simply defines the type of revolver.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

As I said earlier, the phrase Masterpiece target revolver is seen. It is also seen in some S&W advertising. And that's because the K-series revolvers were marketed as target revolvers. Competitive Bullseye target shooting was a very popular shooting sport until the 1980s, when the various "Combat" style shooting events involving steel plates and bowling pins more or less took over the competitive handgun scene. And Bullseye competition is what these revolvers were used for. Those who still participate in Bullseye shooting today almost always use only semi-automatics, as they just shoot better than revolvers in Bullseye competition.

On the side panel of the cover for the gold box it says "target".

My problem was in the Smith and Wesson bible book it mentions only k22 post war nothing about masterpiece target model. But as said above there all target models.

If you mean Supica's & Neal's SCSW3, there is information on the K 22 Masterpiece on page 121. All Masterpiece revolvers are target guns by their very design, with adjustable rear sight, and target front sights. Plus, you could get target triggers, target hammers, and target stocks at an additional cost from the factory if desired.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

So how do we get from K 22 Masterpiece to the K 22 Combat Masterpiece? I always thought that just having a 4" barrel would not a combat gun make, especially in .22 caliber. It really sounds silly. I do love my K frame .22's though, regardless of the nomenclature.

The Combat Masterpiece (whether .22 or .38) was simply a K-38 Masterpiece (or K-22 Masterpiece) with a 4" barrel and a different front sight (a Baughman ramp). The original .38 Combat Masterpiece was virtually identical to the K-38 except for barrel length and front sight. However, when the K-38 went exclusively to the heavy barrel, there was a subtle change to the front of the frame so that the frame boss matched up better to the heavy barrel. This change was not made on the .38 Combat Masterpiece since those continued to have a tapered barrel (flare at the point at which it mated to the frame). So that became another difference between the K-38 Masterpiece and the .38 Combat Masterpiece.
I believe the "Combat" label was used because the Combat Masterpiece was intended primarily for LEO duty use. The .22 version and the ill-fated .32 version simply followed suit in the nomenclature.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I purchased the k38 combat masterpiece 4" barrel and the k38 target masterpiece 6" barrel both in 38 special. Both were 97% but there 99% now the so called freckling turned out to be dried oil. I didn't know what I was buying at the time but I went with my gut feeling. These aren't cheap anymore. My online dealer had the k22's up to $1,200 still NIB. Most of the k38's I see locally are between $750/$900. There as much as used n frames. When I think of the k38's I think of the gangster movies. Watching Adam 12 with there k38's comes to mind too. Most revolvers in the limelight after that are Snubbies. Till dirty Harry.

These three k series revolvers opened up my eyes to how awesome the s&w revolvers really are. I went right out and bought brand new ones too. I'm not rich, I don't smoke or drink. I have mad money.

Sorry for drifting to the k38's. This was an awesome part of s&w history for revolvers. It's an era of time of the 38 special. I like to call it a dirty eight.

Big Bill,
Would post some pics of the tools? Cleaning rod, brush, swab.......and jag if you got it. I also have one from 1948, and I'm huntin.
Thank you-Bob

I don't know how to do pics. Sorry.

I get it. No need to be sorry