K22 Masterpiece box question

Housepuss · Apr 16, 2023

Recently acquired a K22, blue, 6" not model marked, no box or docs. It left the factory in October of 1957

Would like to find a box for it. Gold boxes were used from
1946 to 1965 and the blue 2 piece solid line boxes were used
from 1957 to 1965.

Since this revolver was shipped in late 1957 what would be the
appropriate box for this one?

Truckman · Apr 16, 2023

My guess would be a gold box since plenty were still available in the shipping department at the early date yours left the factory...My twin to yours acquired yesterday with a manufacturing date of 1953 is in its original gold box...

...Ben

JH1951 · Apr 16, 2023

Housepuss said:
Recently acquired a K22, blue, 6" not model marked, no box or docs. It left the factory in October of 1957

Would like to find a box for it. Gold boxes were used from
1946 to 1965 and the blue 2 piece solid line boxes were used
from 1957 to 1965.

Since this revolver was shipped in late 1957 what would the
appropriate box for this one?

About a decade ago I started a database on S&W K-Frame boxes. I have not added to it for years because I became sidetracked with other S&W interests. I am sure there are outliers to what I collected, but I have blue two-piece boxes showing up in late 1953 and running well past the manufacture date you quote. If you need any details, PM me your SN and I may have a reference quite close to it.

wheelgun610 · Apr 16, 2023

Housepuss said:
... Since this revolver was shipped in late 1957 what would the
appropriate box for this one?

Compare your S/N to the number on this box.

Mark

larryofcc · Apr 16, 2023

wheelgun610 said:
Compare your S/N to the number on this box.

Mark

That's the correct box for a late 4 or 5 screw K22. I have been looking for a correct box for a few years now. Problem is, mine was shipped with target stocks and a target hammer. Won't fit in the average blue or gold box. Mine is # K258577, a 5 screw, wide rib, shipped to Sports Inc. Chicago, 5-02-56. The stocks are non relieved targets. Gun is about mint. Anyone have a spare, correct, box? Big Larry

rct269 · Apr 16, 2023

And my very first store bought gun, a brand new in the BLUE box, K-22 was shipped (and bought) in 1956.

Aside from my new gun, I was pretty sure I'd died and gone to Heaven when I walked into the store---a regular, everyday hardware store in Dalton, Georgia (where you could buy a gun when you were 18 years old---never mind if you lived in Georgia or not). When I walked into the half of the store where the guns were, they had brand new S&W's of all shapes and sizes stacked from the floor to the ceiling---each and every one in blue boxes. I went back down there now and then---like every chance I got!!

Ralph Tremaine

Targets Guy · Apr 17, 2023

larryofcc said:
That's the correct box for a late 4 or 5 screw K22. I have been looking for a correct box for a few years now. Problem is, mine was shipped with target stocks and a target hammer. Won't fit in the average blue or gold box. Mine is # K258577, a 5 screw, wide rib, shipped to Sports Inc. Chicago, 5-02-56. The stocks are non relieved targets. Gun is about mint. Anyone have a spare, correct, box? Big Larry

You need to look for a five lug box.

4 lug

5 lug

larryofcc · Apr 17, 2023

Targets Guy said:
You need to look for a five lug box.

4 lug

5 lug

Thanks, but already figured that out. Not like gold boxes, the blue ones with the solid border are very hard to find. Looking for one for my 1956 Highway Patrolman too. What is it with these box less mint guns? Take the gun out, put it in a sock drawer, and throw the box and contents away? Some of the older boxes can run $1,000 or more. The two guns mentioned here are pristine, and I sure would like to find proper boxes for them. Big Larry

sophie · Apr 17, 2023

Here’s a picture of the box from my 6” K22–4 screw from 1956 if that helps any.

larryofcc · Apr 17, 2023

Thanks, but that box will not fit a K22 with target stocks. I thought they may have been an add on, but was surprised when I got the letter. Even more surprised when they were the non relieved style. Been looking for some time now, and finding one marked for target stocks and target hammer just may never happen. Big Larry

SS336 · Apr 17, 2023

larryofcc said:
Thanks, but already figured that out. Not like gold boxes, the blue ones with the solid border are very hard to find. Looking for one for my 1956 Highway Patrolman too. What is it with these box less mint guns? Take the gun out, put it in a sock drawer, and throw the box and contents away? Some of the older boxes can run $1,000 or more. The two guns mentioned here are pristine, and I sure would like to find proper boxes for them. Big Larry

I know collectors do not understand but back when these revolvers were new most people just threw them away and keep the gun.

You can’t shoot the box.

I probably threw a few away myself.

Now I save them because I have been corrupted by you guys and am happy when a box comes with an old gun. But even now most people that buy a new firearm don’t save the boxes. They will probably be collectors items someday too.

larryofcc · Apr 17, 2023

SS336 said:
I know collectors do not understand but back when these revolvers were new most people just threw them away and keep the gun.

You can’t shoot the box. I probably threw a few away myself.

Now I save them because I have been corrupted by you guys and am happy when a box comes with an old gun. But even now most people that buy a new firearm don’t save the boxes. They will probably be collectors items someday too.

Yeah, back in the day, I threw a few away myself, but you think people should have wised up by now. Most of mine have boxes, as I am very picky. I am a collector and not a shooter. A gun without its box, is just another gun. I have plenty of those too. Big Larry

Housepuss · Apr 20, 2023

K22 baz questioln

Found out yesterday the ship date I received for my K22 Masterpiece, 10-1957, was incorrect. Turns out the correct
ship date is 10-1951.

Looks like the correct box will be Gold, since those were used
from 1946 to 1965. Any thoughts much appreciated.

Regards,
Dick

wheelgun610 · Apr 20, 2023

Housepuss said:
... Looks like the correct box will be Gold, since those were used
from 1946 to 1965. Any thoughts much appreciated.

K-22's are known to have shipped in blue boxes with the silver border around the same time as the so-called '5th screw' was eliminated from the side plate.

That said, the only guns you'll likely see that were shipped in gold boxes after the mid 50's were slow movers like the K-32 Masterpiece, the 38/44's, and maybe some of the other various Models of 1950. It's also a known fact that S&W actually discarded a "bunch" of gold boxes for the K-32 Masterpiece. They wrongly assumed the K-32 would sell as well as the K-22 and K-38, and they ended up ordering way more boxes than they ever had guns to fill them.

Mark

Ray · Apr 21, 2023

Hi, so after readind all posts I assume that my 1958 K 22 no dash (per Mr. Jinks letter) was shipped in a blue box, correct ?
Thanks, regards, Ray.

larryofcc · Apr 21, 2023

Probably so. I have several S&W's from the 50's, K22, 22 Combat Masterpiece, K38, K32, .357 Magnum, and a 38 Combat Masterpiece, all in gold boxes. My Highway Patrolman (1956), and M&P 22,(Post office model,) 1958, came in blue boxes, which I do not have yet. I take pride in my collection and try to make sure all my guns have original, or proper boxes. Big Larry

JSR III · Apr 21, 2023

Yeah, back in the day, I threw a few away myself, but you think people should have wised up by now. Most of mine have boxes, as I am very picky. I am a collector and not a shooter. A gun without its box, is just another gun. I have plenty of those too. Big Larry

I am always fascinated by this quest. Many collectors who don't have their guns original box will seek a period correct box for it to sleep in. My question is, as collectors, are we not then taking an original box away from the gun it came with? That period correct box bears the serial number of its original firearm. By using that box have we not orphaned the original gun it came with???

Ray · Apr 21, 2023

I would like to have the original box of mine. Since I got it from a friend in a trade and the gun belonged to his deseased grandfather I guess his granpa throwed away box, SAT and papers long time ago.
Regards, Ray

Inland7-45 · Apr 21, 2023

Gold Box

I worked at S&W from June 1973 to May of the following year. I spent much of the time on the small parts department. At the time they were using the gold boxes for storing parts. Most of the boxes had a small square cut out of the end. I still have one put away somewhere.

I have two S&Ws that were already old and collectible when I bought them. They still have the original boxes and papers which I have carefully stored. Of the 4 S&Ws and one Colt that were bought new only one has the box. That one is a Model 27-2 that just did’nt get fired or carried much.

While my attitude is different now back in the 70’s I just did not see these guns as future collectibles. They were expensive items that I took pride in owning but I looked them as an asset that I expected to depreciate as soon as I left the store with it. They were bought with a purpose in mind and properly maintained so that they would work when needed. I expected them to retain some value if kept in good condition. I never saw the guns as an investment and did not expect to see them increase so much in value. Therefore hanging on to boxes and paper work did’nt seem important.

wheelgun610 · Apr 22, 2023

JSR III said:
I am always fascinated by this quest. Many collectors who don't have their guns original box will seek a period correct box for it to sleep in. My question is, as collectors, are we not then taking an original box away from the gun it came with? That period correct box bears the serial number of its original firearm. By using that box have we not orphaned the original gun it came with???

Therein lies the real conundrum. I'm gonna sit back and let the overthinkers commence with their overthinkin'. It's makin' me dizzy...

Mark

K22 Masterpiece box question

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