1955 K-22 5 screw brings big bucks!

[DCWilson]

Arizona Guy, you have a great gun and an interesting box. You were willing to pay the price you did to get it, and that's the way it ought to be.

In the last couple of years I have "overpaid" for a lot of pieces that I simply wanted to own, and I am happy that I have them. I figure that I am not buying the item, but the pleasure of association with it. If I should later sell one at a loss, the delta I book on the in-and-out prices is the cost of that enjoyment. Over the period of ownership that will probably work out to a few bucks a month, or less than the price of movie or a cheap seat at a concert. The pleasure of having owned the gun will last a lot longer than the memory of any movie.

You did just fine. But you do owe us more photos and a range report when circumstances permit.

 

[rburg]

Some place in my piles of debris I have a similar gun...kind of. Its a K205,xxx gun, and its living in a black box. A while back we had a discussion on those boxes. I believe SmithNut preferred to call them pastel boxes. The theory he was operating under (and probably correct) was they simply faded to black.

But just for balance, my ratty old K22 was refinished when I bought it, and I paid the full $2000 asking price just to get it. My only regret was that I didn't also by the M19 sitting beside it. Same price, too.

You don't pay too much, only too soon. In my situation, I was hunting down engraved and inlaid guns. Different rules apply.

 

[230grfmj]

As a point of reference I have the gray or blue gray or whatever the color is called, box (I don't have the gun though) that you see on the bottom in this picture and it is numbered on the bottom K254661 in white grease pencil.

The gun in question that was sold on GB is SN K253713

The writing is identical on both ends.

 

[long colt frazier]

If you want a particular piece in particular condition then whatever the market will bear is what you are going to have to fork over. Not a lot of very nice 5 screw k-22's on the market at this time.
Congrats on the purchase and if you are feeling a bit of remorse PM me;-)

 

[Speedo2]

I've been sort of sitting here just sipping on a hot, steaming cup of STFU regarding the seller. Let me attempt some redemption by first (well actually, maybe second) welcoming AZ-Guy to the forum and saying that it sure looks like your'e getting a very nice K22; I hope that it's everything that the photos make it out to be.
Here's a link to some earlier discussion that we had on the "blue-grey" boxes:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/101783-need-help-k22-4-screw.html
Some interesting comments on pricing there, too. I wonder where we'll be with these things next year? -S2

 

[rburg]

Some interesting comments on pricing there, too. I wonder where we'll be with these things next year? -S2

Pricing comments are always interesting. There are times when I think the poster just has no clue. Other times I think maybe they've just been to a gunshow. One thing you can be sure of, if the price quotes are a year or more old, they're worthless. Followed closely by the price estimates of someone who hasn't actually seen similar guns change hands in the last month or two! Prices are also regional. There are places where certain guns are just unavailable. Just because some old buzzard thinks the price is too high because he bought the same model back in the 1970s is of no value.

Its no revelation that guns with boxes and paperwork are worth (or at least bring) a significant premium over the price of the parts separate.

The guns we've been discussing are very well made. Masterpieces, if you wish. With our economy in flux, many people are dumping their nickels and dimes into things that hold their value. Its no surprise the K22s are going up in value. Sometimes dramatically.

 

[Troystat]

While the sales price might seem a bit high, when you compare this one to a new model 17 "classic" I think the price is not to bad overall I think the prices of the 1950's and 60's Smiths are not to bad (with a few exceptions of course) when you compare them to what is sold as new these days.

Troy

 

[wheelgun610]

I've been sort of sitting here just sipping on a hot, steaming cup of STFU regarding the seller.

Yup, me too.....

 

[4-Screw]

My pre-19 box (1956) is the same color with the same S&W font.

 

[AZ S&W Guy]

A quick followup now that I have received the revolver. It is in very nice shape. The serial No. is in white grease pencil on the bottom of the box. The sight post looks perfect to me. There is no lint nor ding. There is an indentation, but it is not deep enough to have held any type of bead for any length of time, so in my opinion there was not ever any bead there. I inquired of one other 1955 k-22 owner and he indicated there was no bead on his collectible-quality k-22 either.

I will try to get pics up, but be patient with me. I am not a photographer.

 

[JSR III]

I don't think that you overpaid at all. You paid a price that needed to be paid if you wanted to own that gun. I do give Mr's Grote a lot of credit for writing a very compelling story about this K 22. Although the words "transitional model" are used quite frequently regarding the pre war to post war changes, I believe that the Seller in this case was referring to the changes that occured between 5 screw and 4 screw models. Whether or not all of those claims are accurate, (I will leave that to those with greater knowledge than me) if correct, then I certainly see an added value for both gun and box.

I personally own a pre model 14, K 38 Heavy Masterpiece that is the 1951 USRA Trophy gun and is so inscribed. While it is merely a .38 special revolver with a 6" barrel of which thousands were made, many in the collector community value these guns and I have personally seen one from a different year sell for over $5,000. So when it comes to collecting and paying for things, I really feel that it is up to the buyer and what the item is worth to them.

 

[peyton]

We are not questioning the quest for the elusive K-22 in great condition. Believe me I have plunked down a load of Bens's for my K-32's. They are worth it when I see the smiles on my grand kids faces after shooting a box of shells and then trying to count the holes in the black. I got them raising up right, no tupperware in my house!! Post some pictures for us. GB is blocked by the ARMY.

 

[K.R._Rabbit]

When I started collecting, all I could afford was what my friends and I called "beaters". As I get older, I upgrade but let me tell you, I have had some fun! I have shot all of my collection and I find that even the beaters go up in value. Anyone who is in a position to buy such a nice gun is blessed and I believe you are really lucky. I hope you enjoy your gun, what a neat piece to pass on to your kids!
Rabbit

 

[murphydog]

My apologies for the comment about "overpaying". The pot calling the kettle black for my part, on several occasions...

 

[stumper]

Way back in the beginning of this thread I called the dark blue/grey box that this gun came in into question. Even stated that my July 1955 K-22 came in a gold box. Well.... after seeing this thread opened again I just went into the closet and "actually looked" for the box for my gun and low and behold K-22 with SN K241317 was shipped in the same blue/grey box as this one. Went a step further and found another K-22 box of this color in my other box collection with SN K240103 on it......
**** Foot firmly implanted in the mouth****

 

[nightshade2x]

Stumper, that's great! More confirmation that these were the correct boxes.

Also I have 241348 only 31 serial numbers apart!

Have fun and be safe.
Nightshade2x

 

[Engineer1911]

I've bought cars -- it's depreciation.

Bought S&W stock -- it's "market fluctuations".

Bought "expensive" S&W revolvers -- wait three years you'll get even more money for it.

Now which purchase was a better deal?

Congratulations on getting the S&W you wanted!!

 

[AZ S&W Guy]

Thanks for the additional updates and clarifications. Just as an aside, I did not buy this piece for any appreciation potential. In fact, I still have every gun I have purchased. I kind of become attached to them, so this piece is definitely off the market. I will give it to one of my kids who is like I am, so with this gun being 54 years old now, I would venture to guess that it will be another 54 years at least before it comes back on the market.

 

[model70hunter]

Thanks for the additional updates and clarifications. Just as an aside, I did not buy this piece for any appreciation potential. In fact, I still have every gun I have purchased. I kind of become attached to them, so this piece is definitely off the market. I will give it to one of my kids who is like I am, so with this gun being 54 years old now, I would venture to guess that it will be another 54 years at least before it comes back on the market.

Keeping every gun you've owned is admirable. Many here love K-22's and want more, I know I do. Seeing one for $1400 might mean the cost of our passion just went higher. Sort of like sticker shock many years ago when I saw the first 1/2 ton truck on a lot over $20, 000.00. Now I wish I could have paid 20K for my Ford super duty diesel.

 

[pwhphd]

Components of Value

Congratulations AZ S&W Guy on your purchase. Almost everyone commenting acknowledges that Quality, Condition, Scarcity, and Popularity are primary components of value that affect sale prices, including firearms. What has not always been recognized is that "Pride of Ownership" is far more important than many might imagine. It is apparent to me that much of what motivates many S&W collectors is the pride of ownership of a piece of history that is expressed with high quality workmanship, often in very short supply, and that has remained popular with much of the firearm community for quite a long time. Whether it is a shooter or a safe queen, she's likely the pride and joy of the owner; and they often want to preserve this for their progeny as a legacy worth cherishing.