1956 K22

[H Richard]

Just returned from a gun auction, locally. It seems everything I wasn't interested in went very reasonable, but everything I had an interest in started about where I thought I would quit bidding. A friend said I just had good taste.

I was really interested in a K22, 4 screw, vintage 1956; but the views on line (the auction was on Proxibid) didn't show the patch's of rust, filthy chambers and barrel, and the very slight ring in the barrel about 1 1/2" from the muzzle. It only went for $375, but I don't think the buyer paid too much "IF" they are capable of cutting the barrel back to about 4", and resetting the front sight and then spending a lot of time cleaning up the rust, and could be O.K> with a little pitting.

It did lock up very tight, I couldn't tell how the barrel was (other than the ring) as it was too filthy. I couldn't have lived with putting that gun away that dirty, it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in 20 years.

 

[g8rb8]

...... It seems everything I wasn't interested in went very reasonable, but everything I had an interest in started about where I thought I would quit bidding. A friend said I just had good taste.

.......... but the views on line (the auction was on Proxibid) didn't show the patch's of rust, ....... and the .......ring in the barrel........

This is a good reminder. Buyer beware. I bought a revolver on Proxibid that was described as 95% by the auction house and the pictures supported a 95% condition however you could argue it was really closer to 59%. Okay, I exaggerate, it's about 80-85%. Fortunately it functions well and has no rust and I ended up paying about what it was worth.

Your lament about the prices of the revolvers you were interested in reminds me of an answer I provided about revolver timing: "For me 'bad timing' is arriving at the place with the great revolver at a great price after the other guy already bought it. Unfortunately that's usually the case. I prefer 'good timing'."

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[DWalt]

Actually, the dirtiness is not a bad defect. In and after 1956, it's highly unlikely any corrosive-primed ammunition was used, so it just takes a few minutes to remedy. The rust is a different matter. Sometimes, a barrel bulge makes little to no difference in grouping capability. But it definitely affects value.

 

[H Richard]

I've owned a couple of revolvers over the years with bulges barrels, and I found if the bulge was near the muzzle it usually affected accuracy, but if it was back closer to the chamber it didn't.

 

[bgrafsr]

I have a 14-1, which is in beautiful condition, but has a ringed barrel. It shoots very well, but as stated before, it does affect value. I've tried to find another -1 barrel, but so far no luck.

 

[Art Doc]

Maybe 90% of the used guns I have bought during the past 45 years were dirty. Some I got cheap because they were so dirty they stopped working.

A bulged barrel is a no go for me. Well, once I bought a Victory Model with a bulged barrel and it worked out but generally speaking it's a deal breaker.

Pitting is also a deal breaker. Pitting can't be fixed.

 

[merl67]

Normally pitting is a deal breaker for me too but I have a few price has to be right though . This one cost me $290 out the door a few years ago.