2" K Frame ID?

[Lima_Delta54321]

It's not mine...yet. It's listed online, but wanted to get some info before I made the drive to take a look. Does $400 sound like a reasonable price?

Seems fair. I paid $450 for a no-dash late 1973

Best I have seen recently was $305 ref: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1104303101

 

[Malysh]

The link you provided shows a J frame 5 shot S&W. Not relevant to a pre war or early post WWII K frame 6 shot revolver.

 

[DWalt]

Your picture shows that it has postwar style sharp shoulder Magna grips, in use from around 1947 and into the 1950s. There should be a serial number stamped on the back side of the right grip panel. Can you read it? Looks like you didn’t get the brass ring, but you still got a good gun at a good price.

 

[kwb377]

I was already packed to go shooting today anyway, so I brought along some .38 and hit the range after leaving the pawn shop. Brought it home and tore it down to clean the inevitable 100 years of crud from the internals...and there was surpisingly very little.

 

[kwb377]

 

[kwb377]

Faint 24 on grip frame...







4 . 50 and a faint 51 along with the diamond...






Stock panels with 91044...

 

[Baxter6551]

OP. Congratulations! What a great purchase and a great thread - this is why this Forum is outstanding! The knowledge base here is invaluable. Having read what others said I then looked at the photos and noted the serial number font was different on the bottom of the barrel vs the frame and cylinder. So I guess the factory stamped the serial number on a re-barrel in those days?

 

[kwb377]

...this is why this Forum is outstanding! The knowledge base here is invaluable.

Absolutely!

 

[JP@AK]

I will add to the wise comments above that with the barrel change, the Service Department would also have had to change the extractor rod (and probably the extractor itself). The original mushroom shaped knob would not work with the later short barrel. It will be interesting to know what serial number is on the extractor star.

 

[Baxter6551]

How did it shoot ?

 

[JP@AK]

Just saw the latest photos. The stocks are from a postwar K target gun with serial number K91044. Most likely a K-22 Masterpiece, but possibly a K-38. The number is from 1950.

 

[kwb377]

It will be interesting to know what serial number is on the extractor star.

Just went and checked...wasn't able to get a pic, but it matches the rest of the gun (455088).

 

[MajorD]

Actually, that isn't correct. The so-called "fishhook hammer" is a postwar phenomenon. It is what S&W used once the "high speed" hammer was introduced in 1948. This one is simply the prewar style long action hammer.

Also not accurate. The stud seen here is threaded into the frame from the inside, with the end showing on the outside of the frame. Due to a change order issued on January 18, 1946, the stud was to be pressed into the frame and polished flat on the outside. On the M&P revolvers, this change was implemented on revolvers at approximate serial number S819400, with shipments beginning in about April 1946.
In both cases, the hole went all the way through the frame on the gun's left side. The pressed stud is not obvious because the end is polished flat before the bluing is applied. Usually, with a close look, it can be seen, but it is not as obvious as it was with the threaded stud.

Great to get more info and learn something new!

 

[kwb377]

How did it shoot ?

With poor eyesight and tiny sights, it shot better than I expected (most of my handgun shooting nowadays is with stiker-fired semi autos with red dot or hi-viz iron sights). DA/SA trigger was heavier than my newer revolvers...I contemplated swapping the rebound spring while I had it apart with a spare Wollf spring I had, but decided to keep it original.

 

[JP@AK]

Just went and checked...wasn't able to get a pic, but it matches the rest of the gun (455088).

Okay. Most likely they just changed the rod. No real reason to replace the star. Threads are the same.

 

[kwb377]

Now another question...

So now I've been looking for Pre-War stocks to replace the Magnas...but I see several different types (plastic, rubber, checkered wood both with and w/o medallions, etc.). What would be the most correct for this gun as shipped in 1924...was there a specific style for that time period, or would it have been like now with different models having different grips, and other types offered as accessories?

 

[DWalt]

Original 1924 grips are checkered wood round tops, not Magnas, and there are no S&W medallions. The rounded tops are smooth and convex. Sorry I have no pictures handy to attach. Not too difficult to find. You might keep looking on eBay, or maybe someone here has a pair they would part with.

BTW, the M&P snubbies were the first to have the knurled extractor rod tips. The longer barreled M&Ps did not get them until later in the 1940s.

 

[JP@AK]

They look like this.

 

[kwb377]

Original 1924 grips are checkered wood round tops, not Magnas, and there are no S&W medallions. The rounded tops are smooth and convex. Sorry I have no pictures handy to attach. Not too difficult to find. You might keep looking on eBay, or maybe someone here has a pair they would part with.

Ebay was my first stop, and that's where the option overload hit. This was the style I found most appealing, but had no idea if they were remotely period correct...

"Smith & Wesson Diamond Center Service Grips For K Frame Square Butt"

 

[kwb377]

They look like this...

Awesome...thanks!