I found the below 22 Combat Masterpiece at a local show yesterday. It was dirty and well used, but she spoke to me as I walked slowly past her several times. She whispered... "You want me. Take me home with you. Clean and polish me. Love me... and you can shoot me whenever you want."

I finally picked her up and thought - worst case I could get someone to engrave her, as there was no apparent surface rust or major marks - just wear from years of going in and out of a holster.

I came to a deal with the seller - $725 and she was mine. I brought her home and spent some quality time with her yesterday, giving her the RKmesa welcome (clean, polish, wax, buff and lube) and found her to be just what I thought she was - a well-used, much-shot, much-holstered, well-cared for, absolutely-perfect shooter grade Combat Masterpiece. She shipped from the Factory in April 1952 (thank you Mr. Jinks).
In addition to the cleaning, the RKmesa welcome almost always includes a game of "Musical Grips" (I'm sure that many of you know that game well).

Here are a few quick iPhone photos of her in different grips. I would love to hear your thoughts on which grips you prefer and why. ALSO - I would love to see how you stock your Combat Masterpieces.

1. These are the "Diamond Target"grips that came with it when I purchased it yesterday. Period correct, but probably did not ship on the gun:





2. "Diamond Magnas" - she probably shipped with a set of these grips. This particular set is numbered to a gun that probably shipped 5-6 years later, although they fit her very well.





3. "Smooth GA Factory Targets" from the late 1950s to early 1960s. They have been slightly modified with a tasteful "bobbing" of the rear butt, but have beautiful color and grain and feel GREAT in my hand:





4. "Ebony Thai Target Reproductions" that I ordered from eBay several years ago for $60-$70. I have never found the perfect gun to put them on, but they fit this 22 CM very well and you've got to appreciate the color





Thanks for letting me share,

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan