Help me out here, y'all, 'cause apparently I'm confused or he is.

Another board, and the poster is complaining about a deal that went south. Among the other problems was, "The dealer said it was a K22. It wasn't. It was a Model 17".

Now, my understanding is that long ago Smith made a target revolver on the 38 Special "K" frame, that they called a "K 22 Target Masterpiece". Then 'long about 1957 they started giving the guns numbers, so the K22 Target Masterpiece was now, also, the Model 17. Still a K 22, it just picked up a model number. Then they took that gun, put a 4" barrel on it, for easy carrying, and a ramp sight, and called it the Model 18. Still a K22, but not a "Target Masterpiece". So my 17 and my 18 are K22s. My 19 is a Combat Magnum. I've got four Military & Police revolvers, even though one of 'em is marked Model 10.

So, is my understanding wrong? Do names only apply to pre-numbered guns?

I understand that he was assuming that because it was a K 22 it was a pre-model number gun, but is he correct in that assumption?

I know my 28-2 is roll-stamped Highway Patrolman, so even though it has a number is still has a name.

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I always take precautions

A M17 is a K-22.
Some people would see K-22 and think "Pre-17", I don't know what the poster was thinking so I can't comment, but some people are touchy. I still call my M19 and M66 Combat Magnums, and a lot of people on here do too.
Maybe somebody needs to lighten up. I wouldn't worry about it.
Jim

Let's see.
A Model 17 is a K-22 Masterpiece. That about sums it up.

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Dick

I thought I was right. Nice to get confirmation, though.

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I always take precautions

After 1957, they had both names AND model numbers.

Larry

Any K frame revolver chambered in .22 is technically a "K22".

Target Masterpiece, Combat Masterpiece, Outdoorsman, Pre war, Post war , 3,4,5 screws , Target hammer, High speed hammer etc ..
are all descriptive terms that help narrow each change in the evolution down to a specific characteristic.

If the buyer was looking for a Pre 1957 4 or 5 screw 6" K22 Masterpiece but ended up with a 3 screw 17-2,3,4 etc K22 Target Masterpiece,
Someone dropped the ball communicating what was what even if it was not model marked as some guns occasionally get through unmarked.

Case in point:

In my search for a "pre 19" I found an non model marked Model 19-4 ,
I luckily recognized it only had 3 screws,
removing the grips confirmed it serialed to the 1980's.

The fact that it got through QC unmarked doesn not mean it isnt a 19-4.

If someone advertised it as a "Non model marked Combat magnum I would be expecting a 4 screw "Pre 19",
To not disclose it as a 19-4 would be deceptive.

Eventually I did find my 4 screw non model marked 19 but it has a serial number slightly above what is recognized as the
cut off date by SCSW 3rd ed.

If I ever sell it I would not feel comfortable advertising it as a "Pre 19" even though it may technically be.
AS both model marked and non MM guns were coming out the door I would feel abliged to call it a,
Non Model Marked 4 screw Model 19 Combat Magnum"

IMO, if the buyer was familar with the terms K22, model 17, etc., and it made a difference to him, he would have verified exactly what it was before he bid. I would...

Any K frame in 22 caliber can be called a K22.

Most people refer to model stamped guns by the model number. Guns made before 1957 get called by the names S&W gave them, like "K22 Masterpiece" and "K22 Combat Masterpiece" (note how both are K22).

Perhaps the buyer THOUGHT he was getting a pre-model marked gun and was disappointed to learn it was newer than he thought. In general, older is more desirable to collectors so a 1955 K22 Masterpiece would be more valuable than a 1959 Model 17 if all variables were otherwise the same.

Funny you should ask that question. I was just looking at an auction for a "Pre-45 .22 M&P--RARE Fixed Sight K22 POST OFFICE".

Is it a 22 M&P (Model 45)?

If so, yes.

Rompere i coglioni...nice gun. Joe

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Behavior Creates Destiny

I'll take that m&p 22 off your hands whether it is a K-22 or not.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

Is it a K22..... sorta but no.
Notice i said K frames in .22 are "Technically K22's".

Although its a K frame chambered in .22 ... the arguement could be made that referring to it as a K22 would be like calling a .38 M&P a K38.

I think we can all agree it is not a " K22 Masterpiece"

Nomenclature Nomenclature I love to hate Nomenclature.

There are always 2 names for S&Ws: the one the factory used and the popular one. Any K frame 22 may be called a K22 by popular calling, the factory had specific names which may or may not have included the K22 label.

Does anybody besides me not really care any longer?