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,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Nice! Mines wearing a pair of diamond magnas with a pachmayer adapter. A bit small for my hand,but it looks good

Beautiful gun. I like the number 3 grips. No, wait… I like them all!

I'm for #4 even though they are 'off shore'... they just look stunning. I'm a little surprised you own somehting that is not 'all scratched up'.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

I vote number 2. Wait…….maybe number 1. Kind of like asking a pizza lover what their favorite toppings are!

Gorgeous! Great deal on an absolutely beautiful revolver. If I could only have one wheel gun it would be the model 18 or the model 34.

Richard, I can't tell you the number of times I've heard that siren voice speaking to me as I stroll through the aisles and past the tables...Of the choices shown, I think I would prefer the diamond magnas as long as they feel best in your hand...There is another choice I can suggest - a nice pair of stags such as the ones that found their way onto my new carry gun...Some may remember this one from a recent thread when this crippled, homeless veteran called to me from a table I was passing, and convinced me it could serve me well as my new carry gun......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

I much prefer the Diamond Targets. I have target grips on my K17.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I am a big fan of the original diamond combat magnas.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Very nice gun and looks like it cleaned up real good. Congratulations on the purchase.
I vote #1 or #2, whichever fits your hand better. I shoot my Model 18 with S&W target grips with football cutout.

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James
On the Llano Estacado

I think that's a nicer example than many of the ones I've seen. The Diamond Targets are for sure somewhat later than the gun, but are a bit hard to come by in that condition and probably ought to be reserved for a future acquisition in need of them. Since none of the grips are strictly speaking "correct", finally making use of the Thai grips might be your best option. That advice is somewhat contingent on the extractor clearing, but even if it doesn't, you could easily enough dish them like the others.

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

Smooth G A all day!

I would also look in your parts drawer for a King front sight that matches your K 38 version.

Soo Many Choices, That #4 Just Pops with That Wheel Gun. I switch mine around every few days.. Good Luck..

That's the type of gun that appeals to me. Just the right amount of wear, not abused, no safe queen, but carried, used, and shot exactly what fine guns are used for.
I like the diamond target grips or the ebony Thailand grips. If the ebony grips fit well and clear the extractor without creating grip "rash" then go for it. After all you have been storing those grips for quite a while, so nows the time to put them to good use.

Here's mine. Model 17
One of my favorite Smith & Wesson's!

They are some of my favorites as well. The color is beautiful, and they are so pleasant in my hand...













And they make me smile.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

My K22. Pre model 17's. born in 1948

The smooth GA targets look the best on that gun, for sure. Congrats on a very nice revolver acquisition.

Richard

First, nice find and nice restoration job. The latter proves that "restoration" does not have to include monkeying with the original finish.

Now to the stocks. My opinion is (remember, opinions are like armpits; everyone has two of them and they all stink) that it should wear diamond Magna stocks. That is almost certainly what were on it when it left Springfield. And, except for the Combat Magnum, I think Magna stocks look best on 4" revolvers.

Now I will offer one other suggestion. If it is going to wear Magna stocks, I think you owe it a pair that are period correct. In April, 1952, they would still have the sharp shoulder. If you don't have any to put on it, give me a call (or a PM if you please) and I will dig through my stash and come up with a pair for you. We can discuss how much wear you want on them to mate up with the gun's current condition. I'd be happy to send them to you gratis, or bring them with me to Tulsa and hand them over to you.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I vote for number 2 with number 1 as runner up.
My model 18 came with a pair of combat stocks (also TT/TH and correct box indicating same.
I also play the stock changing game. It’s had a set of Rasco Maple stocks. Currently wearing a unique set of magnas with a Tyler T. I think stocks are Walnut.
My model 17 has the original magnas but I found these beautiful Herretts in a bargain bin and shaped them for my hands.

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I think that you're referring to this one (it is also a 22LR...)





It is currently sporting another grip option - some "Keith Brown Ropers"...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I agree - if and when it wears magnas. I might have a pair somewhere, I just have to run them down.

You are very thoughtful and too kind. What I love most about the above is that you plan on being at the Symposium in Tulsa this summer. I think that Reno was the last time we connected in person? I look forward to seeing you there.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Either one of the two smooth stocks.

Kind of like asking a pizza lover what their favorite toppings are!

That's easy! Pepperoni first of all, followed by mushrooms, Italian sausage and ground beef.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I always find it interesting to see all the different likes/opinions regarding what we individually like. Sometimes I confuse myself on my own likes. I don't really care for target stocks on a .38 CM, yet I love target stocks on a .22 CM. Makes no sense to me, but that's the way it is.

I only have one .22 CM, a 4 screw pre Model 18 from 1957. It has a nice set of GA targets on it. To my eye, the reddish tint against the deep blue of the gun is a perfect match. This particular combination does it for me.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

Love those early Combat Masterpieces and all the versions that followed. I'd go with the diamond targets or any of the smooth targets. The color of those ebony Thai ones is certainly attractive. This is the first Combat Masterpiece I acquired, a 5 screw from 1955, and still my favorite. My preferred stocks for the early K frames are the non-relieved targets. Adding a 22 Mag cylinder makes a nice option too.

Oh, and you did much better at the gun show you attended than I did at the Fort Worth show yesterday. Best tables there were the one with multiple flavors of fudge and another with pickled quail eggs. Nice older S&Ws were obvious mostly by their absence. . .

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I like the Targets that were on it when you purchased it. They match the patina of the gun so well I’d bet they’ve been on there since close to the beginning.

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Get off my lawn!

That would be correct because I had to miss a couple after that due to my brother's passing followed by my own illness a year later and then last year in Arizona because of a conflict in schedules. Unless you were at the Carolina meeting (?), but IIRC your missed that one.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Nice piece! I like the smooth GA factory targets. My 18-3 is currently wearing a pair of factory rosewood targets. These came clamped on a 28-2 of all things. They had a chip and some other issues, so I sent them to Curt Harlow for a spa treatment. I think they're pretty nice.

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The best I can with what I got

Classy piece!
FWIW, I like the diamond magnas.

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213th FBINA

I love the real dark smooth targets myself. Butt 4" K22s are wonderful guns

My combat masterpiece 22 is a bit different. Here it is with its 22 mag cylinder.

No question for me. I'm a sucker for diamond targets, so the first set you pictured are my favorite. Plus I like to keep a gun the way I got it, and IIRC, you said they were on the gun. Good enough.

My Combat Masterpiece isn't a Model 18, but a 15. I hope that's OK. I just like showing off the stocks. I think they're Eagle, but I'm not sure. They were on the gun when I got it. Actually they're probably the reason I bought the gun.

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John 3:16 .

Very nice, Richard! I like the diamond targets best although any of those grips would positively set off most guns. I would prefer the GA or ebony on a nickel plated or pinto gun, though.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I vote Magnas. Diamond or not. Don’t care. But always Magnas on a 4” K frame. Maybe even a T Grip if you’re feeling crazy.

Nice Richard! For me, it's #4 hands down. I've always favored darker stocks on blued guns.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

That's a nice .22 with a lot of character! From the quantity and quality of the firearms I've seen on your previous posts, I'm a little surprised that you had any room left in your safe(s) for another acquisition! LOL! Although magna stocks are original to many S&W models, they are a much too small for my big mitts...I prefer the smooth target stocks (either S&W or nice aftermarket). Enjoy!

The first set of diamond targets, all day, every day.

My 1965-ish model 18-2




Some poor pictures of my 1950-ish K-22





Yours looks like a great shooter. Any issues with sticky ejection?

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SWCA #3942 / SWHF #988

Richard, et al

This discussion is about two different things: appearance of the gun vs shooting the gun. My opinions here are about the appearance of the piece.

Shorter barrel target K-frames are the best-looking guns that the factory ever made. They are perfectly balanced when wearing the small service stocks, because the appearance of the gun is least distorted by the stocks. Magna stocks are a good compromise, because they give a better grip on the gun without too much distortion of the overall appearance.

You can guess how I feel about target stocks!

There is something about the square shoulder on the early magna stocks that seems to give the stocks a good definition, without messing up the appearance of the gun. As that sharp shoulder disappeared, the clarity of the overall appearance gets a bit muddled.

My vote is to put on a pair of early square-shoulder magnas, that are not too flashy with color. That's probably how the gun was shipped.

Regards, Mike Priwer

I like the diamond targets and I have them on my 19-2, 15-2, and 18-2
They fit my big hands and look nice too.





I always pick the worn 18-2 for dispatching varmints.

Those presentation GAs are mighty nice. I don't have a .22 Combat Masterpiece (yet) but my .38 CM wears a pair of rosewood smooth presentation stocks.

Did anybody see the fish hook hammer (?), now that IS sexy on the older models....

Just a personal opinion.

Neat K22, wish I could find gems like this up here in the NW.....

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.............SmithNut

Richard, you are an inspiration to all those who resque fine old, neglected revolvers

Fish hooks! Did someone say fish hooks?




Three early post-WW2 32 M&P's.

Regards, Mike Priwer

Sheesh, Mike. No wonder I can't find a second .32 M&P to go with mine.

But at least mine has the long action . . . It shipped to Sloan's in April, 1948.


Here's my October, 1952 Missouri State Highway Patrol .38 Combat Masterpiece with the High Speed (so-called "fishhook") hammer.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

First off I would choose the Diamond Targets that were on the gun when you purchased it.

I have two .22 Combat Masterpieces' and one 18-3. All have the correct numbered stocks that came with them. In the pic below the Combat Masterpieces are top left and bottom right and they both date to 1952. The 18-3 is middle left and dates to 1973. Don

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Laus Deo! <><

Richard, I like the Magnas. To me, Targets are overkill for a .22.

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David Reynolds

Now we're talking...!!

Nice trio Mike... (Do I recognize that background?? )

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.............SmithNut

What's not to like?

Gotta luv 'em just the way S&W intended. Ha.

K182741 was shipped in June 1953


enjoy,

bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

Robbie

Yes, the background is probably familiar!

Mike

…….3 and 4……..

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Sure you did

The pre-war K-22 is perhaps one of the finest examples of a 22LR revolver ever made. A personal grail gun for me, where did you guys find these? Was it mostly gun shows, local gun stores, online? Curious, because I am hoping to find an outdoorsman.