New to me model 48-2 price check- pics included!

[Nframe_is_no1]

I have long had a weakness for K22s thanks to this forum. I've also long been a fan of the Combat Masterpiece. I found a 4" model 48-2 .22 Magnum today at a local shop. It was very clean and looked practically unturned and unfired. Unfortunately, no box or papers. The casecolors on the hammer and trigger were magnificent. I was also very taken by the beautiful set of smooth targets that it was wearing. They are footballs and appear period correct. I took it home when it was offered to me for $499. I thought it was a fair price as I just don't run into model 48s regularly. I've only seen two others in person, a 6" and an 8 3/8", and they were priced much higher. I know the classic series model 48 runs into the four figures. Serial number is 3K73xxx, dating it to 1972 according to SCSW. Interestingly, my SCSW 2nd ed. says the model 48-3 began in 1968, so it's wierd that a -2 shipped 4 years after that dash was supposed to have ended. Perhaps these weren't selling and they had some leftover frames laying around? I fired it with some 40 grain Remington ammo and the blast and fireball in broad daylight was amazing! Accuracywise, it rivaled a Rossi .22 Gallery rifle I had with me! I already ordered an HKS 48K speedloader for it. Here's the pics:

 

[bamabiker]

Man that thing looks good. Nice grips to. I think you did very well. Congrats.

 

[papajohn428]

That's a real beauty! Nice price, too. You done good.

 

[ar15ed]

those grips are awesome!

 

[jpwhel]

Nice looking Mod 48 and the grips look great on it. You will have fun shooting it. There are several on the forum that say the 22mag is wasted in a short barrelled revolver, but I think the 48 is good fun to shoot.

 

[SuperMan]

According to "The Book" the only difference between the -2 and the -3 was the location of the rear sight screw. So the question is do you have a late shipped -2 with the early screw location or a mis-marked -3 with the later screw location.

As to price...you did well. If you go over to GunBroker and do a 30 day search most of the 4" 48s are selling for $550-750...

Bob

 

[bigmoose]

You scored big time. I have been looking for a 48 for a few years and have not come across one locally. That is a really nice one.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

Thanks to all for the kind replies and price info so far.

SuperMan,
Thanks for the info on -2 versus -3. Is it possible to tell just by looking whether the rear sight screw is in the -2 or -3 position? I do not want to distrurb the rear sight assembly as this revolver shoots so well. I suspect it's a late shipped -2 (since it doesn't seem they made a lot of these) as opposed to a misstamped -3. It would be nice to know for sure.

 

[gunlovingirl]

VERY nice!

 

[sw44spl]

very nice I like it alot

 

[usm1rifle]

Great fun gun and you did very well on the price.

 

[glenncal1]

Model 48's are good in all barrel lengths:

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

Jim,
Nice collection! Are they all yours?

 

[glenncal1]

Yes the 6" 48-4 is the first gun I purchased new when I was 21. I have always liked the .22wmr since I was a kid. I have also liked K Frame Smith's since I was a kid. Now I am an old fart and still like both.

 

[kennethg]

You did well with that purchase.

I responded to a model 48 post a few years ago that got me checking my 48-2. I made an interesting discovery. I purchased this new in January of 1975. It is marked 48-2, serial number 6K4XXX. Checking the serial number chart shows that is was numbered in 1974. The model 48 section in the book indicates it should be a 48-3. No trigger guard screw or diamond grips. The rear sight leaf screw is in front of the barrel cylinder gap. I suppose this is just another S&W anomaly.

Other model 48 owners on this forum have similarly marked 48's.

 

[deserttrans]

Very nice score. I am lookng for a six inch. This is the only one I have now.