MODEL 18 Information Please

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Kguy

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Help with identification please. Looking at S&W to purchase.
Model 18-Maybe
Type-Hand Ejector
Ser No- K1617XX
Calibre-22 long rifle
Barrel length- 4”
Sights- Post War Adjustable
Blue Finish
Gray box, silver lettering. Metal corners.

Number stamped in crane area is 43812.
It is stamped two places. Crane and frame 43812. Is that correct? Barrel, cylinder and heel area of frame all stamped with ser no K1611783. What year was it shipped?

Is the revolver correct? Thanks so much!
 
Hi

It is too early to be a Model 18, but it is a .22 Combat Masterpiece, the model that later became the Model 18. The serial number suggests production in 1952.

The 43812 stamped on the yoke and on the frame in the yoke cut should match and are normal. This is a parts tracking number used during assembly.
 
The 43812 is an assembly number meaningless outside the factory and does not match the serial number as is normal. You are looking at a combat masterpiece made before model numbering
How many side plate screws? ( one is hidden under the grip)
Does it have a side plate screw directly under the rear sight?

Condition? Price?
 
It's a 22 Combat Masterpiece that was produced in 1952. When model numbers were introduced it became the Model 18. Some people refer to it as a pre-18.
 
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It does have a screw directly below the rear sight. Target hammer. Grips have stamped numbers matching serial number. Diamond grips. Standard. Condition of revolver is excellent. No turn line on the cylinder. No flaws to gun of any significance. Bright bore. Gray box. Silver outlined perimeter. End of box printed Smith & Wesson 22 Combat Masterpiece 4 inch barrel Blue Finish. Wax S&W paper in box. No instructions or tools. $1550.00. Is the gray box correct? Thoughts overall? Thanks.
 
Kguy said:
It does have a screw directly below the rear sight.
Click to expand...
Of course. Being that early, it would still have a five screw frame. The fifth screw is in the front of the trigger guard.

Is the gray box correct?
Click to expand...
That seems unlikely. I don't believe I've ever seen a grey box that early, and when they did show up later, they were primarily used for guns with the nickel finish. Could it be just a faded blue box? Any chance of a picture?
 
Combat Masterpiece Continued

I think I have three attachments. Box could very well be faded blue. Note bottom of box. Great thought!
 
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Yes. That is the normal blue box from the period. That serial number should match the gun inside. Again, it was SOP to write the serial number on the bottom of the box at that time.

BTW note that the embossed label on the box end says 22 Combat Masterpiece. S&W did not call this model a "K-22."
 
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Combat Madterpiece cont.

Thank you Jack. Yes, the serial number on bottom of the box matches the gun.
 
Thanks to all for the information. I bought the pre model 18 of which I spoke. It is excellent in my opinion. It came with what I believe to be a correct box. I am looking for the factory accessories that came in the box.
All I got was the revolver and the treated paper wrap.
 
Kguy said:
Thank you Jack. Yes, the serial number on bottom of the box matches the gun.
Click to expand...


attachment.php

That box has been renumbered to match the gun.
K161783 is too early for a blue box. It would have shipped in a gold box originally printed for the 6" Masterpiece and would have had a white label glued on one end that looked like this-


attachment.php
 

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Lee

You are correct. 1952 is too early for a blue box. That .22 Combat Masterpiece almost certainly shipped in a gold box. Not sure what I was thinking, but I probably forgot we were dealing with a 1952 revolver.

Thanks for the correction.
 
Plugging $71 in 1952 into the "Inflation Calculator" yields $808.69 today with a cumulative inflation of 1039%. Does not include "desirability factors." Joe
 
I had some concern about the box. The numbering did not look right to me. Disappointing but better to know what is correct. Thanks for the description and pic of the proper label. Now I am looking for a correct gold box for the revolver. I will post a WTB for a gold box. Thanks for setting me straight.
 
I dug around and came up with this box. Is it correct for the 1952 Combat Masterpiece? The end label is for a 38 not a 22. Guess I would need a label for a 22 caliber. My revolver does have a Target Hammer.
 
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