At the gun show today I saw a nice 6” .22 K frame targetsights, trigger, hammer. Blue is 85%- quite nice. Gun was made in 1952 and comes with original box. What’s it worth? Guy is asking $1,000. I “think” that’s not too bad. What say the experts?
1952 production .22
- Thread starter Shibadog
- Start date
without pictures, at a guess that's little high IMHO..post some pictures..that said,they are great revolvers
22hipower
Member
Asking $1000 sounds about right, negotiate to something better. Often the gun show tag is negotiable down by 10-20%. The 85% condition estimate would be the question for me as 85% to me means quite a lot of blue loss and wear; end of barrel, high points of cylinder and elsewhere. "Quite nice" to me means better than 85% and with original, or at least period correct, grips. I would expect to find a "quite nice" one, in terms of what I call "quite nice," with box numbered to the gun, where I shop tagged in the $1000 range. Good luck, and pictures if you get it please.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
OP
Thanks guys. I’m going back tomorrow to try and see what happens
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I just bought this one, from a local dealer, either a 51 or 52 seems to be the general opinion from the group here (S/N K 128XXX range). No box or papers, but all numbers match. It was tagged at $700, I got it for $650.
How much is the box worth? I don't know. I'd like to have the box, but I got no idea how much more it would add to the price.
Well, maybe I got some idea. Not long before this one, I bought a 38 M&P, 6" barrel, also from that 51...maybe 52 time period, all matching numbers, with the box that was originally tagged at $750, I paid $675 for it. Same dealer.
The box.
I don't know if that will help on not, but those are real world, recent experience. I got no idea if I got a good price, or got took. In the end it really comes down to how bad you want it, vs how bad does he want to sell it?
How much is the box worth? I don't know. I'd like to have the box, but I got no idea how much more it would add to the price.
Well, maybe I got some idea. Not long before this one, I bought a 38 M&P, 6" barrel, also from that 51...maybe 52 time period, all matching numbers, with the box that was originally tagged at $750, I paid $675 for it. Same dealer.
The box.
I don't know if that will help on not, but those are real world, recent experience. I got no idea if I got a good price, or got took. In the end it really comes down to how bad you want it, vs how bad does he want to sell it?
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Let’s hope it still there
Usually when I pass on something and decide to go back the next day it’s usually gone
Let us know later if you brought it home.
Masterbuck54
Usually when I pass on something and decide to go back the next day it’s usually gone
Let us know later if you brought it home.
Masterbuck54
What kind of polishing/blueing does it have? I've got a '52 with a more of a satin finish. But I also had a 17-1 with a beautiful high polish. I would think the high polish finish would add value.
I payed $700 for my '52, 95%, no box, couple years ago.
I payed $700 for my '52, 95%, no box, couple years ago.
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That satin finish is a result of Smith and Wesson being way behind on civilian orders after the war. To speed up production, they skipped out on a lot of polishing and just sort of went with a similar finish to what they'd produced during the war. As time went on, and they were able to catch up production, they were able to go back to the more highly polished and blued finishes people expected. It didn't happen all at once. Some models got the higher grade finish sooner than others, but I believe most were back to normal about the mid 50's or so.
Some people, myself included, like the post-war finish. My pictures aren't the best, but you can see a difference in the finishes, which apparently were pretty close together in production. I would guess the K-22 was a higher grade of revolver than the M&P 38.
Edited to add: Actually I went back and took a picture of them together under the same light, and the difference isn't as much as the other two pictures make it look like. I don't look at them together too often.
And in addition, they've both been rubbed down a time or two with an oily rag.
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hkcavalier
US Veteran
I like the postwar satin finish too.
Hondo44
Member
After WWII the satin blue was standard except on the 357 which came with the bright blue which became standard on all models about 1955. Until then bright blue was an option on other models and stamped with a large B under barrel, on grip frame, etc. so a pre ‘55 gun with the B is about a $100 premium.
A matching serial number box (in grease pencil on the bottom outside) is another $100 premium.
A matching serial number box (in grease pencil on the bottom outside) is another $100 premium.
OP
Went back-it was gone��
22hipower
Member
There will be more. I've learned that lesson more than once myself. Along with the "insisting the other party negotiate" lesson. That one involves seeing a gun you like at a good price, offering less than the tag, and walking away when the seller won't come down a little. I've passed on some good ones by "sticking to my principles". . . .and regretting it later. You'll have another chance, there are lots of K22s out there.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
