18-3 8 3/8 barrel odd ball

[Monstermuley24]

Did they offer factory special ordered options for the 18?

Letter might be the only sure way to know, but has anybody ran across this configuration before?

 

[Fishinfool]

I don't believe they did. Someone may have re-barreled your 18 with a barrel from a model 17 / K-22?

Larry

 

[murphydog]

I don't believe they did. Someone may have re-barreled your 18 with a barrel from a model 17 / K-22?

Larry

This swap is most likely. In particular, have a look at how the barrel meets up with the frame
where it threads in; the model 17 barrel looks too wide on a model 18 frame.

 

[JP@AK]

I agree with Alan. Visually, these tend to scream "barrel change."

Over the past few years, we have had several questions show up on this forum about Model 18 revolvers with the long tube. In every case so far, it has been confirmed that the barrel was not original.

 

[Monstermuley24]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I'll dig it back out of the safe to look it over and get some pictures posted for better eyes to see.

Appreciate the feedback!

 

[rct269]

The good Doctor Jinks has an expression that comes in handy when he can't find an answer for things unusual---goes like this:

"They would do anything anybody would pay them to do."

It comes in handy every now and then----like when I stumbled upon a New Model #3 Target---one of those chambered ONLY in 32-44 or 38-44 S&W calibers-----old time target loads --says so in ALL the books. This one had "38 WINCHESTER CTG" stamped on the barrel----with holes to match.

They couldn't confirm the caliber in the letter, only that "It appears to have been a special order for a single unit--------------."

Ralph Tremaine

 

[lowriderfxr]

Another possibility is an mis-marked 17. Clearly a 8 3/8ths K22 is a 17. If not , like others have said , a barrel change is likely.

 

[stansdds]

Could be a mis-marked model number. Could be a special order, but that seems odd since the Model 17 with the long barrel was a standard catalog item. Could be a barrel swap. My money would be on barrel swap.

 

[Truckman]

Just for comparison purposes here are some pre-cleanup pics of my newly acquired 17-3 with 8 3/8" barrel......Ben

 

[Monstermuley24]

Thank you Ben!

 

[Monstermuley24]

Added some photos

 

[murphydog]

Thanks for the photos. My guess is you have a model 17-3 that somehow was mis-stamped as a model 18-3. More photos of the top strap area near the barrel from different angles and both sides of the gun would help.

 

[Monstermuley24]

Sorry for the delay, few more photos added

 

[USBP SW]

Based on the photos showing the polished top strap, I'd tend to go with the consensus that the barrel has been changed.

 

[19leben]

The Model 18 has the top sides of the frame slightly beveled, as in OP's pics. The 17 frame does not have these bevels. This is definitely a M18 with barrel swapped from a 17.
I'd def keep and shoot it though. Woudn't bother me any.

 

[Monstermuley24]

Thank you all for the input and help!

 

[stansdds]

Yep, barrel swap, so no collector value, just a shooter.

 

[Engine49guy]

If you are happy with the long barrel just shoot it and enjoy,
If you want it to be in original configuration you could consider swapping a 4" Model 18 barrel back on it, might cost $100 but will raise its value as well.
If you decide to go this route look for a correct era barrel without the caliber rollstamp " finnials".

 

[LVSteve]

That conversion seems to have been done very well. I'd leave it as is.

 

[Monstermuley24]

Thank you all again for the help looking this one over. I assumed from the get go it was a swapped barrel, but with smith & Wesson you just never know.

I enjoy the long tube on the .22's and it will be staying in the family for some shooting enjoyment.

Thanks everyone!