Old S&W K-22 info needed

[cpt-t]

I was in a LGS today and they had a 6 inch old K-22 that they told me it was a 1951 year model or from an estate they had just bought. The gun has no turn line on the cylinder or any bluing rubs on it at all, and no rust at all. It is wearing beautiful Maga Diamond Grips. It does not have a target trigger or target hammer. There is no box, tools, or paper work with it. The gun has not been cleaned up and it appears to me to have been in storage for along time. It does not say anything on the yoke except the serial number nothing else. I have no idea just what I am even looking at, but it sure looks like it is in near perfect condition. They want $700.00 for it. What do You Guys think, is it worth it. Or should I just pass it up. Thanks in advance for your help.
ken

[gunnails]

Buy it of course.

[DWalt]

Seems like that would be a good buy if it is as you describe. Any high-condition K-22 (especially a pre-17) will sell at retail for at least that much. You won't lose anything at that price. That's an assembly number stamped in the yoke area. The SN will be stamped on the butt and the rear face of the cylinder (and a few other locations)

[Targets Guy]

The serial number is not on the yoke on a K22 from 1951. It would be on the base of the butt grip and begin with a K. If it is truly a 1951 K22 in the condition you describe $700 would not be an overpayment for you.

The serial number would be somewhere btw K1009xx and K127xxx.

[Engine49guy]

The S&W model number system appears several years later so the serial number is the best way to determine its approximate age.

In very high condition (no box tools or docs) with original "Magna" stocks that number to the gun $700 is a very fair price IMO.

[opoefc]

If the LGS thinks that yoke number is the serial number, then I would question their expertise as to whether the gun is a 1951 vintage, or even a S&W ! Ed.

[Camster]

Don't hesitate.Grab it.

[merl67]

If it is indeed a K22 in the condition you describe that is a good price,maybe better than good...

[H Richard]

The number is on the butt, also on the back of the cylinder and on the flat under the barrel. Verify the #, but take cash with you.

[cpt-t]

Thanks Guys for all your info and help. I am on my way to look at the gun again. I might just buy myself a late Xmas present.
ken

[cpt-t]

Sorry if I am being a pain in the ((( HIND END ))) on this deal. But I just looked at the gun again. And the serial off the Butt of the gun is K165996. And they said it is a 1952 model not a 1951 model that was my mistake. The gun looked better to me this morning than last night. The blueing is really nice and the action and trigger is as smooth as silk. And I don`t think the gun has been shot very much, mabey not at all. The owner of the shop wasn't there and he is who I will have to deal with on this gun. He will be back after lunch. Do You Guys have any other advice or tips for me. And is the $700.00 price still a fair one for both of us. Thanks in advance.
ken

[dave1918a2]

The serial # is definitely 1952 and nothing changes price wise. Buy it!

[Oscar Zulu]

At 700$ the shop owner would not be getting top dollar. And you would not be getting the deal of the century. If both parties leave absolutely convinced they got hosed...it was capitalism! (I think the price is fair to both parties). ; )

[vytoland]

K165996. is 1952......look carefully at the back of the cylender for any evidence of "dry fire"....see pictures.......

if it is OK then see if they will take $650 ..."out the door" price.....

dry fire looks like this and it is harmful to the firing pin.....

[Green Frog]

At that price you’re not stealing it, but it is a good price for that gun as described. Just as an FYI, the barrel is probably the heavy variety, but there is a (small) chance they still used the lighter, narrow rib version on it as the earlier ones mostly had. Either way it will be fun to shoot and if it has been shot even once, with proper care and maintenance it will not lose significant value from you enjoying shooting it.

Regards,
Froggie

[Culina]

Jump on it before someone else does!

[4barrel]

The gun as you describe is worth at least $600 with the wrong grips. If the grips are # to the gun a $150 + at least. And a 5 screw?

[sophie]

A K22 from 1951 and in the condition you describe would certainly be worth it to me. I would buy it and not look back.

[hkcavalier]

Sounds like a good deal. High condition shooters from that era are uncommon and the best of all worlds.

As stated above, make sure the previous owner didn't mess up the cylinder with dry firing. Get a set of snap caps (I like the plastic ones with the thick rims) and dry firing won't be an issue for you.

[glowe]

The gun as you describe it is $1000 gun all day long. If there is no wear, no bluing loss, no turn line then buy it! K22 and K38 Masterpiece revolvers are going up in value and sell very well at gun auctions. While there are many nice lightly used Masterpiece revolvers out there, they are bringing $650-$700 all the time, there are not many near-new condition examples out there. One of, if not the best made target revolver ever made by S&W.

As for your comment on target trigger and hammer, target hammers were first introduced in 1949-1950 and target triggers were first available in 1953. There was a transition period for the changes, so until the inventory of guns and parts were used up both style hammers would have been found on Masterpiece revolvers of that era. I also think that target hammers and triggers were options available early after their introduction, like target stocks.

[Camster]

Now that it's become a birth year gun for me, I'll take it for 700.

[Targets Guy]

Get it. Simple as that. I paid almost that much for my 1951 K-38 so my 1947 K-22 would have a stable mate.

[cpt-t]

Well Guys sorry to say but the gun deal fell thru darnit. It appears that 3 Son`s and 1 Daughter actually shared the ownership of their deceased Father S&W K-22. And one of the brothers unbenounced to the other 3 needed some money and sold their fathers old gun to the LGS. While it was in his possession. When I got there the other 2 brothers and a grandson which was a Cop were there buying back their Father & Grandfather`s Old K-22. I am sorry I missed out on not buying the gun. But I am really glad I was not involved. And the rightful owners got their gun back. Thanks for all your advice and information.
ken

[kobsw]

Originally Posted by cpt-t

Well Guys sorry to say but the gun deal fell thru darnit. It appears that 3 Son`s and 1 Daughter actually shared the ownership of their deceased Father S&W K-22. And one of the brothers unbenounced to the other 3 needed some money and sold their fathers old gun to the LGS. While it was in his possession. When I got there the other 2 brothers and a grandson which was a Cop were there buying back their Father & Grandfather`s Old K-22. I am sorry I missed out on not buying the gun. But I am really glad I was not involved. And the rightful owners got their gun back. Thanks for all your advice and information.
ken

That's an interesting ending and you were fortunate to have avoided stepping into a family matter as you described.

Thanks for the update,

Kobsw

[george_lehr]

Originally Posted by hkcavalier

Sounds like a good deal. High condition shooters from that era are uncommon and the best of all worlds.

As stated above, make sure the previous owner didn't mess up the cylinder with dry firing. Get a set of snap caps (I like the plastic ones with the thick rims) and dry firing won't be an issue for you.

This doesn't matter now for the OP, but FYI, number 4-6 x 7/8" screw anchors make cheap snap caps for .22s. I can even load one in a magazine and it will chamber when cycled just like a real round.

[kobsw]

Originally Posted by george_lehr

This doesn't matter now for the OP, but FYI, number 4-6 x 7/8" screw anchors make cheap snap caps for .22s. I can even load one in a magazine and it will chamber when cycled just like a real round.

You're a genius!

Thank you,

Kobsw

[Skeetr57]

The damage to the cylinder shown in post #14 has nothing to do with dry firing, but is due entirely to a cylinder that is out of time, and would occur whether there is ammo in the chambers or snap caps were used. I have never seen on a S&W .22 revolver that I have owned any damage due to dry firing. The clearances and tolerances built into S &W rimfires does not allow the firing pin to touch the edge of the chamber.

[kenjen]

I think that damage was done by someone playing cowboy and "fanning" the hammer