As part of his inheritance from his grandfather, my son-in-law received this S&W .22 LR revolver. He would like to know its approximate age, correct name (K-22 or Outdoorsman or ??), and the best guesstimate as to $$ value. He has no plans to sell it as it was one of grandfather's favorites.
I don't think the grips are correct, but they are in good shape and compliment the gun. The revolver locks up tight, but I can't comment on its accuracy as we haven't fired it yet. The serial number is K 54789.
Thanks for any help.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

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That S/N would have been from about 1963, which would be a Model 17, most probably a Mod 17-2. I think the target grips have been added, it should have originally had magna grips. This is a nice, desirable target model, and would probably be in the $600 to $800 value range.

It is hard to beat a Mod 17 for all around target and pleasure plinking. Everyone should own a Mod 17.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have to disagree with my friend above.
It is a k 22 masterpiece from 1949.

I can tell you how it shoots....like a masterpiece.

The grips are much later likely from the 80's

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

It’s a K-22 Masterpiece. Serial number dates it to 1948. The grips are not original. Current prices for an early K-22 in my area would be an easy $700 plus.

Jim

Per the SCSW, serial numbers ran from K18732 to K73121 in 1948.

As others have said, its proper name is K-22 Masterpiece and it is the five screw variation, which only lasted until 1956.

H Richard saw six digits when there are only five, which would be why he placed it later. K54789 almost certainly indicates shipment in 1948. I show some in that serial range that shipped in the autumn of 1948. Numbers ran as high as K11800 on K-22 Masterpiece revolvers shipping in 1947. Of course, one can ship later. Only a letter can tell you for certain.

The target stocks lack the diamond and have the speedloader cut, so they are no earlier than about 1978.

It is a nice example of an early K-22 and would probably sell for north of $700.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Sometime you will see these referred to as a K-22 Target Masterpiece. However, that is incorrect, as S&W never put that “Target” in the name. The K-22 Masterpiece was at one time very popular among competitive target shooters, but not so today. At that time, the correct original grips would have been the Magna style, specifically what is often unofficially called the “sharp shoulder” Magna. There have been several different Magna variations over the years. The Target grips on it are from much later. There was an S&W .22 Outdoorsman revolver, but it was made prior to WWII. In the late 1950s, that same revolver became the Model 17.

Here’s mine with original Grips.
I call mine a Magnificent Revolver.
The Target Trigger and Hammer were installed when I got it ‘tuned.’
SN K63xxx.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Lots of different dates??? Do not know why, since there is a specific manufacture date list available for the Masterpiece line. Your gun was manufactured in 1948, could have been sold later, but no later than very early 1949. The list was originally done by Roy Jinks and is stated to be manufacture dates for K numbered guns. The 1948 dates are listed as K18,732 to 73,121. The list can be found reprinted in SCSW4. It is thought that these serial numbers came from manufacturing logs that were available for some models after WWII. I have 44862 shipped in October 1948 and 61,889 shipped in December 1948.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Gary

Thanks. I was on my first cup of coffee this morning when I made my post. I made the opposite mistake from H Richard. He saw six instead of five and I looked four digits instead of five in my records.

K49658 (a K-38) shipped in October, 1948.
K56225 (a K-22) shipped in November, 1948.
K57760 (also a K-22) shipped in December, 1948.

Those are in the same serial range as the OP's K-22, so 1948 is most likely correct. I will go back and fix my previous post.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

WOW!
I say again - WOW!
Thans for the details and detailed information regarding my SIL's K-22 Masterpiece. The response, information, and details are much appreciated.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

I've had a Mod 17-4 since "around" 1984 and I concur completely as to the joy of plinking or target shooting or hunting with a Mod 17 of any vintage! I used to hunt cottontails for the table with mine when I lived in S.Texas. It never let me down as long as I did my part!
I'm currently searching for a Mod 18, but am somewhat amazed by the prices north of $1,100.00! I have seen a pretty a nice one for just shy of $800. That one may have to relocate to me! LOL!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

No.
The next step was the 1st Model Masterpiece, K22 2nd Model, or, the K22/40. Call it what you like.
The 2nd Model Masterpiece was only made in 1940.

Then came the K22, 3rd Model in 1946 of which only three were known to actually ship in 1946.

Then the flood gates opened.

Years later the Model 17 was introduced.

bdGreen

Hmm- you don’t say. Scarce, Early Smith & Wesson K-22 Outdoorsman - 1st Model | Legacy Collectibles
Fun Firearm Friday — Collectible 1938 Smith & Wesson K-22 ‘Outdoorsman’ | R. Doug Wicker — Author

So, what's your point?

bdGreen

My point is that there was a pre-war Outdoorsman and the OPs K-22 later became the Model 17. Perhaps you did not consider that.

Sure I considered that.

Your statement that the K22 Outdoorsman didn't define the fact that there were no more Outdoorsman's and they became the Masterpiece of which the OP's morphed into the later Model 17.

That simple.

bdGreen

So, just to wrap this up, here's the sequence:
c. 1931 - K-22 Outdoorsman's (note the possessive). It is distinctive because of the tiny adjustable rear sight as well as the round barrel with no rib.
1940 - K-22 Masterpiece First Model. As BD stated, this was only made for one year, and then the war broke out. I believe this was the first appearance of the Micro-adjustable rear sight.
1946 - K-22 Masterpiece Second Model. Micro-adjustable rear sight, ribbed barrel, five screw frame.
1956 - K-22 Masterpiece, four screw variation.
c. 1958 - Model 17 K-22 Masterpiece. Still four screws.
1959 - Model 17-1 K-22 Masterpiece. Four screws, extractor rod threads changed to left hand.
1961 - Model 17-2 K-22 Masterpiece. Reengineered cylinder stop, resulting in the elimination of the fourth screw; start of the three screw frame.
1967 - Model 17-3 K-22 Masterpiece. Rear sight leaf screw moved away from the barrel/cylinder gap.
1977 - Model 17-4 K-22 Masterpiece. Allegedly, this change involved the relocation of the gas ring. There remains some debate as to whether all 17-3 units had it on the yoke, but officially it moved to the cylinder with the -4 variation. It seems to me there is very little difference between a -3 and a -4; until 1982, when the pinned barrel was eliminated.

I refuse to discuss anything after 1982. The Model 17 line just gets weird after that, in my opinion. And yes, opinions are like armpits. Everyone has two and they all stink, including mine.

Did I miss anything, Mr. Green?

Incidentally, sometime around 1950 or a bit later, the original narrow rib got a tiny bit wider and the barrel profile changed, eliminating the flare just ahead of the forward frame bridge. I don't know exactly when this happened. I would love to know, if anyone has that information.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Did I miss anything, Mr. Green?
No, you didn't.

But, I will throw in a little minutiae for the masses.

1940 - K-22 Masterpiece First Model, also had the round barrel with no rib. Also, 1067 of these were manufactured in the year 1940 and then, no more. These had the serial number range of the K frame target models that encompassed over 14,000 numbers.

Also, the humpback hammer ended at the end of the Outdoorsman's run as did, I believe, the S&W grip adapter. Modifications could be made to the Magnas, but, the service stocks were most typical for the adapters.

A lot to absorb.

bdGreen

Yes. Good point. I just forgot to mention it. It seems that the ribbed barrel, except for the RM, was a creature of the postwar period. Maybe I'm forgetting some model, but if I am I don't know what it is.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I think that we've strayed away from the OP's original questions. As other Forum members have stated, your K-22 Masterpiece (K54789) dates to 1948. Here is mine, s/n K40403, in original 1948 configuration with diamond magna stocks and some honest wear. Did your SIL's grandfather have the box with the revolver? It would look the one pictured here. I actually bought my box on eBay, so the s/n marked on the bottom of the box doesn't match my K-22. Without better pictures it's difficult to determine a fair value for your revolver (without the original stocks or box), but I think in VG condition it would be worth $800+. It's a great family heirloom, and I can pretty much guarantee that it will be a very accurate plinker!

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Mr Skyhunter
Please email me at..
[email protected]
Please email me at my email address
with your mailing info.
I believe I have decent set of your correct
time frame ser #'d time period grips and correct screw I will mail you
gratis for your family's Pre 17 22..
Best Randy..
PS ..MY only caveat to this, is if this is helpful to you
Please become a,contributing member to our forum.
The minimum Is very low to do this and encourages others to do likewise..

It's hard to beat S&W .22 revolvers! Here's my small stable of K's - two 17s and an 18. Fun shooting on the cheap!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Randy, as always you're a class act......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

OK, what do we do with the K-22 Hand Ejector, 1st & 2nd Model? The 1st Model was made from 1930 to 1940 and the 2nd Model was made only in 1940. Are we changing Roy's naming convention? So is the 1st Model also the 2nd Model?

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Gary
SWCA 2515

And there's two versions of the 1st model of the Outdoorsman based on how many screws in the rear sight......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

None has mentioned the new short action beginning with the Masterpiece!!



1940 catalogs showing both models. The later printed catalog showing the masterpiece.

None has mentioned the new short action beginning with the Masterpiece!!

Ha, I guess it's just an 'understood' thing in my house...

enjoy,
bdGreen

Hawg Rider -
Unfortunately, no tools, no box, and no paperwork - and no holster! (Darn the luck!) My SIL just remembers sitting on the deck with "Grandpa" and dispatching assorted cans, chipmunks, starlings, and other sorts of vermin. Grandpa's been gone a little over a year now and is sorely missed. But his love & stories continue for his grandchildren & great-grandchildren.
Thanks to all who responded, your contributions have been greatly appreciated.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

“…no tools, no box, no paperwork…” NO WORRIES! The best part, the revolver itself, is there and in fine shape. Add to that memories of his grandfather and your son-in-law has a lot to be thankful for. It sounds like he appreciates what he has and will take good care of it to pass it on to his grandson.

Froggie

OP, that is a great gun! One more date reference for a gun with a close serial number, K55062 shipped in November 1948. The K-Frame 22 is one of the finest revolvers ever made and extremely addictive to collectors. Why? Affordable to purchase and shoot, very accurate, well made, easy to change grips to the shooter's pleasure, a bunch of different model changes (as noted above) - all of which are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, etc. As a result, I and many folks on this forum own more than a handful of these beauties. Case in point:





...and did I mention that they are also a great canvas for the engraver's art...









They truly are Masterpieces in a firearm form.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Not to dilute this great thread but just an additional information point to keep in mind. Other K frame revolvers were being produced during this period and shared the same serial number blocks so K 5XXXX in one model may have different shipping dates than K 5XXXX in a different one.

I own a K 38, K 23233 that shipped in May of 1948 FWIW.

* Just found a K 22, K 1722 in my book for additional data date point shipped May 1947.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I have K3251, a 6" with adjustable sights, and I think it is 1947. Haven't had to move the sights since I bought it. Seems to shoot any .22LR to point of aim. I agree, everybody should have one, but sadly there are not enough to go around.

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Heavily armed old man.

There would be if Richard didn't own half of them.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

JP@AK, I'm so confused! Based on the Standard Catalog, I always believed my 1948 K-22 was a 3rd Model? The Catalog states that the 2nd Model is prewar? Please help me understand -

Mike

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

I'm not Jack, but I'll throw in my two cents...You may be thinking of grouping both versions of the K-22 Outdoorsman in with the Masterpiece...To my understanding the 1940 version, with its micro-adjustable rear sight, was the first to be named Masterpiece even though it was the second K-22...I agree that it is confusing, but that's part of the fun of Smith & Wesson collecting......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

Yes. The SCSW does call the 1940 K-22 the "Second Model." But it is the Second Model K-22 (the Outdoorsman's being the first K-22). But the 1940 model is the first to be called the "Masterpiece." So, second model K-22, but first model K-22 Masterpiece.

Clear as mud.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318