.22 Combat Masterpiece 4” in a 6” box

[MarkHayden]

A few years ago I stumbled upon a .38 Combat Masterpiece at a local gun show in a 6” K-38 Masterpiece gold box, complete with a block of wood to make up the space. The SCSW confirmed that S&W had some extra gold 6” boxes and shipped 4” revolvers in them.

Last week I spotted a .22 Combat Masterpiece, a pre-Model 18 at another gun show. Thinking that it would be a good safe-mate to the .38, I bought it. The seller handed me it’s serial-numbered box; not again! This time a blue box with another add-on sticker stating 4”.

What are the chances?

 

[crows]

I guess it depends on did you buy it as a shooter or as an investment. I had my Mod 18 at the range today, it is a great gun I can't imagine parting with. Enjoy your pre-Mod18.

 

[glowe]

I have yet to see a 4" Masterpiece box, be it blue/black or gold.

 

[Retired W4]

This K-22 Combat Masterpiece came in this Masterpiece box (6") with the end label on one side with the CM serial number on the bottom.

March 24, 1952.

 

[JP@AK]

What are the chances?

Pretty good, actually. There are lots of those out there. Some live in my safe. To S&W it was just a box. Alter or replace the label? No big deal.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My pre 18 combat master piece and my nickel 18........Fine shooters.

 

[alwslate]

Several years ago i bought a 4" S&W model 28-2 at a gun show in a one piece blue cardboard box that S&W semi autos came in. The "clever" seller had put a new label on the box for a 28-2. The 28-2 was in like new condition at a very good price so I just went along with his little game and bought the gun.

 

[bdGreen]

Mine.

enjoy,
bdGreen

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Here's the kne I have. Shipped in 1953.

 

[Retired W4]

Mine.

enjoy,
bdGreen

Hey, the price on the bottom one was the same price as mine, $71.50.

 

[raljr1]

nickel 18........Fine shooters.

Now you've done it. I was not thinking about a model 18...until this.

 

[rct269]

This K-22 Combat Masterpiece came in this Masterpiece box (6") with the end label on one side with the CM serial number on the bottom.

March 24, 1952.

One of the nits the nit pickers like best is there is no such thing as a K-22 Combat Masterpiece. There's a K-22, and there's a 22 Combat Masterpiece, but that's as close as it gets.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[cmdrcody]

My combat masterpieces both came new in 6” masterpiece boxes with a Combat Masterpiece label on the end.
Isn’t in biggest difference of the Combat Masterpiece that it’s 4” instead of 6” like the regular Masterpiece?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[murphydog]

S & W never discarded perfectly good anything that could still be used or repurposed.

 

[glowe]

. . . Isn’t in biggest difference of the Combat Masterpiece that it’s 4” instead of 6” like the regular Masterpiece?

Yes, it is the only difference. The K22 Combat Masterpiece was introduced as a practice gun for owners of the 38 Combat Masterpiece. It made only a text message without being an official model in the 1952 catalog. I am not certain how many of these guns were made before the model numbers came out?

 

[murphydog]

The early postwar K-22 Masterpiece and .22 CM had the tapered barrel. In the early 1950s the K-22 had the heavy barrel introduced and this style eventually replaced the tapered barrel.

 

[bullmack]

I also have a couple of factory re-purposed boxes. Both were bought as orphaned boxes. One has a complete cleaning kit that is clearly for a 4" barrel.

 

[MoparTrooper]

Yes, it is the only difference. The K22 Combat Masterpiece was introduced as a practice gun for owners of the 38 Combat Masterpiece. It made only a text message without being an official model in the 1952 catalog. I am not certain how many of these guns were made before the model numbers came out?

Love to learn new stuff and was wondering about your comment that the barrel length was the only difference. I have a later model 17 and model 18 and in addition to the barrel length difference the front sight is different as well. The 17 has the target type front sight while the 18 has the ramped combat style front sight. Would the sights have been different on the K22 Masterpiece and the 22 Combat Masterpiece as well? Obviously speaking post taper barrel era. Thanks.

 

[glowe]

The pre-models had the same front sights as the early model numbered guns. There was a selection of both styles of front sights available in the 1950s, but not sure which models could be ordered with different style sights? The standard for the Masterpiece was the Patridge and the standard for the Combat Masterpiece guns was the Baughman ramped front sight.