22LR revolver model & age question

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I believe it's a K22 Combat Masterpiece for about 1953. Judging from the 2 proud pins hold in the front sight ramp. Someone more knowledgeable than I will be along shortly.
 
Well I may or may not be more knowledgeable, but I cheat, and look in the books----just in case! And in this case it didn't do me a whole lot of good, because dwh got pretty close. It was made in 1952, instead of 1953---and the proper name is Combat Masterpiece-----possibly .22 Combat Masterpiece. I never paid that much attention to whether or not the caliber was actually a part of the name. It has some close kin------a bunch in .38 caliber ------and damn few in .32 caliber.

There is a K-22 Masterpiece, which is essentially the same gun, but with a longer barrel; and there's a Combat Masterpiece---which is what you have---but they never had any kids with a combined name.

Ralph Tremaine
 
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Looks like 4" K22 Combat Masterpiece with diamond target stocks, and a target hammer - maybe even a target trigger too.
Not to start an argument, but some would call it a "pre-18" because just a 4 or 5 years after this one was produced, S&W "re-named" revolvers just like it as the Model 18.
Nice gun. Thanks for sharing it. If you can, show us some more pictures of the hammer, trigger, and other features of the gun so our more knowledgeable members can further identify and classify it for you.
 
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Well it wouldn't be much of an argument, never mind it wouldn't last very long either way.

I figured I could resolve this proper name business by quoting from a "Letter of Authenticity" authored by Roy Jinks (the S&W Historian at the time of the letter, December 2000). No such luck!!

He first refers to it as a ".22 Combat Masterpiece". Then he did the same thing again. Then he refers to it as a "K-22 Combat Masterpiece Pre Model 18, Five Screw Variation".

Maybe he doesn't know which is what either. I reckon your best bet is to come up with a period correct box, and see what the label says---assuming you give a rat one way or another.

Ralph Tremaine

And in yet another letter, this time identifying the names with corresponding model numbers, it goes like this: "K-22 Combat Masterpiece - Model 18"------and the same drill for the "K-38 Combat Materpiece - Model 15"------and the "K-32 Combat Masterpiece - No model number was assigned"

Quitin' time!
 
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As a novice I look @ the k, in the serial number as a stepping stone to model numbers. If I see a K,,, it's too new for me! You have a beauty of a.22 and thanks for sharing.
Should have the K stamped on the cylinder as well as a'groove trigger, I think? I'm in the 4"=Combat 6"=Target side of the religion but I agree a period BOX would be a great addition to the thread .
And more pictures of your "K .22 Combat (definitely a) Masterpiece!
 
jakerudy said:
Would appreciate info on the correct name and age of it. Serial # K 165879.
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Hi jakerudy

Nice revolver. It is a .22 Combat Masterpiece that probably was assembled in 1952. The ship date could have been 1952 or 1953. I show two of the same model with serial numbers in the K169000 range that shipped in February, 1953.

The All-Model Circulars, the catalogs and the box labels would all have designated this revolver as a .22 Combat Masterpiece. "K-22 Combat Masterpiece," "pre-Model 18," etc., are all collector-speak. They are not incorrect and are usable terms, but they don't reflect how the gun was presented to the public when it was new. So, call it what you like. Its official name in 1952 was .22 Combat Masterpiece.
 
4K2022 said:
As a novice I look @ the k, in the serial number as a stepping stone to model numbers. If I see a K,,, it's too new for me!
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So, you prefer S&W revolvers from before WWII. I get it.

As for the "stepping stone" comment, consider this:

S&W began using a letter prefix in serial numbers in April, 1942, with the so-called Victory Model. Immediately after the war, all K and N frame revolvers were assigned letter prefixes. The target sight K frames, beginning with the K-22 Masterpiece on August 19, 1946, were assigned a K prefix. This was a dozen years before there were any model numbered guns. I rather doubt anyone at the company was thinking of model numbers at that time.
 
I know what it is. It's one I'd like to have. :D First of all, it's a 22 Combat Masterpiece. Secondly it's from (apparently) 1952 as I am. Third, I've got a K-22 "Masterpiece that's from 12/51...(missed it by that much). Since I was born in August of '52 I call it my "conception gun" but it would be nice to have a "birth year" one too. :D

Congratulations...nice example.
 
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Welcome to the madness, jakerudy. As you've seen there are lots of opinions on names here, but the most important designation is that it's yours! If it were mine, I'd simply call it an early 22 Combat Masterpiece from about 1952 or '53 and continue to enjoy shooting it.

It has enough wear in the picture to miss being collector grade, but a significant number of the members here either have or would love to have one like it. My personal K-22 is in similar condition, is several years older, equipped with a 6" barrel and came early enough to lack the target features except for the adjustable sights. It's one of the last guns in my stable I would sell.

I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine!
Froggie
 
Thanks for the info. .22 Combat Masterpiece is good enough for me. Figured it was a "pre" gun but didn't know the correct name or year. Back then I wasn't looking for it but the shop owner that I've known for years knew I'd be interested. Pretty sure all I asked was what is it called and how much?

Here are pics of the hammer and trigger.

S&W 22 hammer.jpg

S&W 22 trigger.jpg
 
Green Frog said:
Welcome to the madness, jakerudy. As you've seen there are lots of opinions on names here, but the most important designation is that it's yours! If it were mine, I'd simply call it an early 22 Combat Masterpiece from about 1952 or '53 and continue to enjoy shooting it.

It has enough wear in the picture to miss being collector grade, but a significant number of the members here either have or would love to have one like it. My personal K-22 is in similar condition, is several years older, equipped with a 6" barrel and came early enough to lack the target features except for the adjustable sights. It's one of the last guns in my stable I would sell.

I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine!
Froggie
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Thanks to all for the info. Honest wear doesn't bother me at all and is sometimes better. I've had some nice pre-64 Model 70's over the years that were too nice to hunt. Pre worn removes the guilt.
 
Wasn't the 17-6 also called a Combat Masterpiece? I understand this variation was only produced for 6 months. The differentiating characteristic from the other 4" 17's was the partial under lug. Is that correct? I also have read the difference in the 17-6 4" and 18 is the tapered barrel of the 18 vs the heavy barrel of the 17. Am I correct on that?

Thanks!
 

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jakerudy said:
Thanks for the info. .22 Combat Masterpiece is good enough for me. Figured it was a "pre" gun but didn't know the correct name or year. Back then I wasn't looking for it but the shop owner that I've known for years knew I'd be interested. Pretty sure all I asked was what is it called and how much?

Here are pics of the hammer and trigger.

View attachment 688070

View attachment 688071
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Target hammer, standard trigger. Very nice.

Nice walnut target stocks too.
 
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JP@AK said:
So, you prefer S&W revolvers from before WWII. I get it.

As for the "stepping stone" comment, consider this:

S&W began using a letter prefix in serial numbers in April, 1942, with the so-called Victory Model. Immediately after the war, all K and N frame revolvers were assigned letter prefixes. The target sight K frames, beginning with the K-22 Masterpiece on August 19, 1946, were assigned a K prefix. This was a dozen years before there were any model numbered guns. I rather doubt anyone at the company was thinking of model numbers at that time.
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Actually, many/most/all (??) S&W products had model numbers (or letters) going way back; but they were mostly for internal use. There's a "Thread List" dated May 20, 09 showing any/all aspects of every threaded part of the ten guns in production at the time---seven of which are identified by name, and three by model letters. Then there's the "Instructions For Ordering Parts" from some time in the 1920's (judging by the guns listed (13 in total)---and every one of those was named for the customer's use, and had a model designation letter for their use.

I'll leave it to you to figure out the whys and wherefores.

Ralph Tremaine
 
.38SuperMan said:
Wasn't the 17-6 also called a Combat Masterpiece?
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No, the Model 17 was always a K-22 Masterpiece. The Model 18 .22 Combat Masterpiece was discontinued in 1985. In 1986, S&W offered the Model 17 with a 4" barrel for the first time (in regular production). This was the Model 17-4. Hence, the Combat Masterpiece was merged into the K-22 Masterpiece line, sans the tapered barrel.

I understand this variation [Model 17-6] was only produced for 6 months.
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Not really, cataloging ran from 1990 until 1994, when it was replaced by the Model 17-7. How often there was a run of them (and how many were actually produced) is an open question.

The differentiating characteristic from the other 4" 17's was the partial under lug. Is that correct?
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The dash 6, introduced in 1990, did have the full lug (with apparently some exceptions). Hence, it differed from both the Model 18 Combat Masterpiece and the 4" K-22 Masterpiece (made from 1986 until 1990).

I also have read the difference in the 17-6 4" and 18 is the tapered barrel of the 18 vs the heavy barrel of the 17. Am I correct on that?
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Correct. But, of course, the Model 18 never had the full lug (nor any lug at all for that matter).
 
Just for fun I thought I would post a picture of a somewhat later 18-2 from 1964 that is a bit of an anomaly. TH/TT/and beautiful walnut TS, RR/WO. All the bells and whistles on an otherwise austere model. I suppose I should get a letter on this one.
 

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