I bought it yesterday. k 2934xx which I believe is late 1957. Other than a couple sock drawer blemishes it is in great shape and I can't find any evidence that it has been shot. The stocks are numbered to it, but there is no serial # under barrel and no serial # on cylinder. the correct serial # is on the back of extractor. I know this is near the time of model numbers, was serial number placement changing too? Thanks
22 Combat Masterpiece
- Thread starter tybochip
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Very likely shipped in 1957, yes. Not necessarily "late" that year though.
K285963, a K-38 Masterpiece, shipped in January 1957.
K294602, a .22 Combat Masterpiece, shipped in June 1957
I've had two K-38 Masterpiece units, assembled in 1956 (serial numbers K278720 and K285963), that lacked the serial number on the barrel flat and cylinder, so at least some of them lost those locations in 1956. The official word is that serial numbers in those locations were discontinued when soft fitting was eliminated in 1957. It does not directly correlate to the advent of model numbers, since model marks don't appear on any models until at least 1958 (in some cases, late in that year).
We need pics. Or it didn’t happen.
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I have one very close to yours and just like it. K293781. Shipped April 1957. No serial number on cylinder or barrel flat.
Yes, the numbers are very close. Mine has Magna stocks numbered to the gun. Maybe your targets were special order?
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No, it came to me wearing a set of post-1968 target stocks. I replaced them with period correct targets.
Here’s my 1957 combat masterpiece serial # 294500 stamped on the cylinder. 
I very much like that gun - with the Patridge, Red Post Front Sight!
When you tire of it, please let me know - it will always be welcome in my safe.
On a side note, it almost looks like the target stocks on it are for an N-Frame (but it may just be the angle of the photo)?Muley Gil
US Veteran
I like that front sight.
I believe there should be a "K" on the rear face of the cylinder, as well as the digits. The "K" is part of the serial number.
Good morning Gil, I looked and the K does not appear on this gun anywhere ,the grips are matched to the gun and have the same number. There is no model 18 number or K anywhere on this gun.I can post some better pics if you’re interested. Mitchell
Good morning RK Mesa, you are correct, sir. Those are N frame grips attached to this pistol. The grips that came with this are so nice. I didn’t want to do anything to risk scratching them. This model 18 is kind of a unique gun because it came with that front sight which I’m not sure if that’s a Kings that someone added, or when Kings broke up there was two other manufacturers that made that same sight for a brief time there’s no markings on the site so it’s kind of a mystery and definitely some kind of a transitional piece in 1957. I probably should get it lettered. You have a great eye for detail!I very much like that gun - with the Patridge, Red Post Front Sight!
S&W used the Red Post front sight on guns that were shipping in the 1950s. I have several that letter as such. They are very much like the King red post sights. Here is a 22 Combat Masterpiece that also came with a red post Patridge sight...
... it had a little work done to it after it left the factory...
S&W used the Red Post front sight on guns that were shipping in the 1950s. I have several that letter as such. They are very much like the King red post sights. Here is a 22 Combat Masterpiece that also came with a red post Patridge sight...
View attachment 870661
View attachment 870662
... it had a little work done to it after it left the factory...
Holy Mother of WOW!S&W used the Red Post front sight on guns that were shipping in the 1950s. I have several that letter as such. They are very much like the King red post sights. Here is a 22 Combat Masterpiece that also came with a red post Patridge sight...
View attachment 870661
View attachment 870662
... it had a little work done to it after it left the factory...
Nice! Yeah, that site is apparently a lot like yours and maybe it did come from the factory then I’ve been trying to find out information on it so I appreciate you posting this picture and that gun is just over the top! Holy mother of wow!S&W used the Red Post front sight on guns that were shipping in the 1950s. I have several that letter as such. They are very much like the King red post sights. Here is a 22 Combat Masterpiece that also came with a red post Patridge sight...
View attachment 870661
View attachment 870662
... it had a little work done to it after it left the factory...
Sebago Son
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Muley Gil
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Remove the stocks and check the butt. The serial number there is the one recognized by the BATF-E as the correct one. There should be a "K" stamped there, possibly off to the left.
Thanks Gil! There is a k on the bottom of the frame.
Crookedcreek
Member
factory engraved?S&W used the Red Post front sight on guns that were shipping in the 1950s. I have several that letter as such. They are very much like the King red post sights. Here is a 22 Combat Masterpiece that also came with a red post Patridge sight...
View attachment 870661
View attachment 870662
... it had a little work done to it after it left the factory...
No. It was engraved by Emil Willig (gold line work and the animals) and Gustav Shildbach (oak leaves) while they were were working for Kurt Jäger in Mainz, Germany.
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Man, I love all these pictures. You have some beautiful guns.
I HAD a, IIRC, 1955 K-22 Combat Masterpiece at one time. The first S&W 22 I ever owned. I was even dumber then than I am now though, and the empty cases kept sticking in the cylinder so that I had to tap them out using my SAK. I tried cleaning the chambers but to no avail. It just got worse and worse. I knew I'd damage something if I kept tapping on the ejector rod, so I eventually sold that gun. Later of course I learned I could have had the chambers reamed and solved the problem.
I've got a nice 18-2 now that doesn't fit in this subcategory, but it is a delight to shoot, fondle and wax.
I HAD a, IIRC, 1955 K-22 Combat Masterpiece at one time. The first S&W 22 I ever owned. I was even dumber then than I am now though, and the empty cases kept sticking in the cylinder so that I had to tap them out using my SAK. I tried cleaning the chambers but to no avail. It just got worse and worse. I knew I'd damage something if I kept tapping on the ejector rod, so I eventually sold that gun. Later of course I learned I could have had the chambers reamed and solved the problem.
I've got a nice 18-2 now that doesn't fit in this subcategory, but it is a delight to shoot, fondle and wax.
Sebago Son
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This one is from one of the earliest runs of 4" guns and likely was produced by trimming a 6" tube. Note the
factory 'retagged' box..
factory 'retagged' box..
After seeing all those really nice K22 Combat masterpieces I thought I would inject this not so nice one. It looks like someone smacked the barrel and front sight blade on a rock. To my surprise, it was very accurate.
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One with some similar battle scars, but still going strong!
Pretty neat.
1blindref
Member
This one shipped out in September, 1950. Somebody modified the sights, I added the stags.
This minty one left in February, 1954
This minty one left in February, 1954
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