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01-18-2022, 12:27 AM
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K-22 Combat Masterpiece
Hello, newbie here. I need to date K-22 Combat Masterpiece, 5 screw, serial number K 12478x, 4 inch barrel. I would like to know any additional information. It has black handles plastic I think, join at the bottom and covers serial number on frame. M3 in yoke. Number 303 on inside of handle. In gold box. Any idea of value? Anything else I should know?
Thanks in advance.
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01-18-2022, 12:49 AM
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It probably shipped from the factory in late 1951. Too early to have a model number, but it became a Model 18 in the late 1950s. Pictures would help in determining a value.
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01-21-2022, 08:05 PM
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Attached are some pictures requested.
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01-21-2022, 08:41 PM
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The grips are aftermarket, and don't help the value. But overall, the gun looks good. Need a couple of pics of the yoke, cylinder, and frame with the cylinder open to see the total condition.
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01-21-2022, 08:48 PM
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Welcome to the S&W Forum, and thanks for the pictures.
Aside from the aftermarket stocks, your .22 Combat Masterpiece looks pretty darn nice. As DWalt suggested, it probably shipped late in the year 1951. A .22 Combat Masterpiece, serial number K124572, shipped in November, 1951. That's pretty close to yours but they didn't ship in serial order, so yours could be a little bit different.
The original stocks on this gun very likely were the Magna style. They would have had the sharp shoulder and the smooth diamond at the screw location.
Added: The gold box is correct. Is the revolver's serial number written on the bottom with a grease pencil? That would confirm that the box is original to the gun.
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Last edited by JP@AK; 01-21-2022 at 08:51 PM.
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01-21-2022, 11:46 PM
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I will get more pictures tomorrow. This was my grandfather's pistol and he passed in 1955. It was only shot once about 40 years ago. Those are the only grips my family ever knew. I guess he might have purchased it with after market grips since I never saw any other grips. I will look at the box again, but I do not believe the serial number is written in it.
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01-22-2022, 06:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whanenbu
Attached are some pictures requested.
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Welcome to the forum. Your granddad had great taste in revolvers and you've received good information from those above. The grips are Murad Pointer grips and they were a period correct, popular, inexpensive after market add for those that did not like the magna grip shape. The grips are worth $20 to $50 and it would cost you $70 to $150 to find a nice set of "high shoulder", period correct factory diamond magnas to go on that beauty.
Looking forward to your photos of the box... If original to the gun, it most likely is a gold "K-22 Masterpiece" box, with a "22 Combat Masterpiece" printed white, paste-on label on one box end and the "6" crossed out on the other box end with black grease pencil and a "4" written beside/above it.
Value for your gun with the correct box and the grips it has on it now is somewhere in the $850 to $1,250 range, depending on where it sells. Value to keep granddad's gun in the family is much higher. 
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Last edited by RKmesa; 01-22-2022 at 11:50 AM.
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01-22-2022, 09:22 AM
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Very nice K22. I find those pointer grips very comfortable to shoot with.
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01-22-2022, 10:05 AM
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Welcome to the Forum. The Masterpiece line is one of the few models that have a list of manufacture years by serial number. The gun was definitely made in 1951, but only a factory historical letter can pinpoint the month and day it left the factory. You can guess, but guns did not leave the factory in serial number for at least S&Ws first 100 years of business.
If the gun is intended to be kept in the family, a letter is a good idea, so future generations can see all the details of the model and when and where your revolver was shipped. As noted above, the factory stocks were either Magna or Target diamond walnut stocks. The Magna stocks had a sharp shoulder at the top and the Target stocks had no cut-out on the left side. Examples are below. Again, if the gun is a keeper for the family, you might consider purchasing one of those types of stocks going forward. ebay is the best source for original stocks and the are made to properly fit your frame.
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01-22-2022, 10:43 AM
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Welcome, the experts have answered your questions...So, here's an opinion..Gramps had wonderful taste, they are fantastic shooting revolvers,mine is a three screw from 1980, a Model 18..I love the S&W factory targets, you can see them in glowe post. they're called non-relieved targets...beautiful on the gun. lots of other good choices out there, have fun and enjoy shooting it...
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01-22-2022, 10:46 AM
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Welcome to the forum!
Beautiful K22 heirloom you have there. I think Richard nailed the value, but its family history makes it priceless. They're also a ton of fun to shoot. 
I would definitely look for a set of correct stocks. Those plastic target stocks are a great period correct accessory, but not much in the looks department.
Here is its close sibling at s/n 1152xx, with the original stocks:
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01-22-2022, 07:37 PM
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K12477x shipped 11/51.
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01-22-2022, 08:08 PM
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Attached are the pictures I promised. No grease pencil serial number in the box. However, you described the labels correctly. I thought the 6 marked out to 4 was something not right.
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01-22-2022, 08:20 PM
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A few pictures of the box. Will a letter tell who the revolver was issued to, when, and where? Also, does anyone know what the M3 is for in the yoke? Thanks everyone for your wonderful knowledge.
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01-22-2022, 08:39 PM
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Well, we keep saying "in the box" when we're talking about the serial number ON the box----ON the bottom of the box---ON the OUTSIDE of the bottom of the box. Being a bit foolish about such things, I'm inclined to bet there's a number on the bottom of the box-------might not be THE number that's on the gun; but I'm also inclined to bet that it is----being a family gun AND A BOX after all these years.
Ralph Tremaine
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01-22-2022, 09:06 PM
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There must be a short Combat Masterpiece box out there somewhere, but I have never ran across one. All the Combat Masterpiece boxes that I have seen are long boxes that fit the 6" barreled versions. Some have dividers and some do not. I have one with the number on the bottom of the box and a divider for a K38 Combat Masterpiece.
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01-22-2022, 10:45 PM
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whanenbu
Ralph is correct. You showed us a nice set of pictures of your box, but the only part of the box you didn't photograph is the very portion where the number would be! 
Please look on the bottom of the box, not inside the box bottom.
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01-22-2022, 11:09 PM
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Nothing inside the box. I never turned the box over to look on the bottom. I will do that next time. I never expected anything on the bottom since it could be rubbed off.
My box does not have the side compartment. I do have the brush and swab. It appears that the swab is too large for the bore but looks the same as yours.
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01-23-2022, 10:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whanenbu
. . . I never expected anything on the bottom since it could be rubbed off . . . I do have the brush and swab. It appears that the swab is too large for the bore but looks the same as yours.
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The number was usually added with a grease pencil and lasted pretty well. A few also had a small white label with the number in ink. It was always applied to the left end of the bottom of the box.
The mop in my box was not original since it has aluminum base. Originals had had brass base. As I can recall, the complete outfitting of these boxes at the factory added a brush & mop, cleaning rod, sight adjustment screwdriver, corrosive protection paper, and a copy of Helpful Hints.
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01-26-2022, 11:48 PM
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Well I have looked over, under, around, in the sun, under the light, with a magnifier glass and cannot find any markings of the serial number. The only grease marking is the 6 crossed out with a 4.
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01-27-2022, 08:14 AM
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The gold box that came with mine seems to have the serial number written in pencil and it is very faint. In fact, until this thread, compelling me to take another look, I did not think the number was written on the box, but is is very faint and you have to have the light just right. Lots of box wear on the bottom.
Since you have the box with the gun and the box looks "right", I would assume that it shipped in that box. I think the gun is the important part, especially with family history, and a great looking gun that is over 70 years old. You are very fortunate to have such a fine old Smith!!
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01-28-2022, 12:15 AM
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Thanks to everyone. I am pleased that I have it and is in such good shape. I know that this is a smith and wesson site, but is a Colt 45 a good any good? I have that of my grandfather's as well and it looks new. BTW I remember standing behind my grandfather while he used the SW to shoot the birds from his fruit trees. He was an expert shot. Again thanks for all of your help and knowledge.
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