In the last few months, I was fortunate enough to find the below K22 and K32. I bought them separately and I feel pretty fortunate to have located respectable examples of both 
The K22 was pointed out to me by a helpful forum member. He had one already so he kind enough to show it to me. It is a LERK (Large Ejector Rod Knob) gun, with SN of K3641. Grips number and box numbers. The gun has some edge wear, with some muzzle wear, esp. on the left side but it is in still in respectable condition. I knew eventually I would find one because when you think about it, how many people outside of S&W collectors really know the ins and outs of early post war K22s or S&Ws in general?
I still remember first reading about these post-war transitional / LERK K22s. Of course, technically, they are not post war transitional in the way the other models are because they did have the then new short action (first on K22s in 1940). I remember vaguely first reading about them on the forum, and then finally understanding what they were, my thoughts back then were basically like this:
They paid that much for a K22? Looks just like any other K22 to me! What's so special? Oh, it's "transitional" they said? What does that mean? They have a LERK? What is that? Oh, it's the "beehive" (as I called it) ejector knob and they have "MADE IN USA" so those 2 features make it worth that much more? Really? That's a little crazy! Well look at that: so and so has K500, but someone else K350, and this guy has K200, and lower – I guess that's kind of cool…but I just want a damn Registered Magnum! I don't need to have every variety of post war K22. I have a K22/40...these post war variations don't do much for me…maybe someday will luck into one…I guess finding one would be kind of cool…….
(years pass)………..
After I got more and more into 5 screw S&Ws, I found out exactly what they were, and I started getting other "post war transitional" revolvers as well – Heavy Duty, 38 Outdoorsman, 44 Military, and a transitional Kit gun. Although I hoped to find each transitional model, I knew that I would need some luck to get some of the others. However, I always remained optimistic I would land a K22 "LERK" gun because as I said, I don't believe many people outside of the S&W collecting circles know or understand the concept.
Without further ado, here is my first LERK K22 – with less than 5,000 made, I am pleased to finally be a part of the club…
I was pleased when the seller verified the box matched.
Even though the box was empty except for some unmarked packing paper, thankfully I have one of the scarce, correct nickel knurled SATs...
Here it is with everything except the helpful hints brochure...
Here is the LERK K22, K3641, with my other boxed K22, K51XXX. Note the differences between the two. The top gun has the following features: LERK knob, "one line" MADE IN USA address and SN under K5000 (the approx. line in the sand for LERK K22s). However, both do have the narrow rib, which is not commonly found after K75000.
Here is a K22 family photo. Upper left, K22 Outdoorsman shipped May 1931 SN 633XXX, K22/40 May 1940 SN 686XXX, next is gun of this thread K3641 and at bottom is K51XXX. The gun which is pointed left might be the most special of the group...it is a 1953 gun, factory refinished, later grips, later TH and TT BUT it was my grandfather's. It was my paternal grandfather who was an avid shooter and hunter, who was responsible for my dad's interest in guns, and subsequently my own.
My new (old) K22 will go great with my other early post war S&Ws…
Who would think such a small knob could be a source of such angst and anxiety among grown men
This K32 was discovered by another local collector. I knew about it for some time, but the previous owner was never quite sure what he wanted to do with it. The ironic thing is that he is a WWI and WWII vet bring back pistol collector, yet somehow landed a pretty scarce S&W. I suppose things like that happen all the time but what are the odds? Months after he got it, he offered to me, and we made a deal on it. The "PERK" of this K32, (I mentioned in the title of this thread) is that its a narrow rib gun. SN – K67XXX. Despite how common the 5 screw K32s are compared to later 4 screw K32 and model marked 16 variations, the narrow rib variety (of the 5 screw variation) is a somewhat scarce variation of what is a scarce model in all forms. The grips number to the gun. It has some wear, most notably on the cylinder and some muzzle wear but she's honest, and my first K32 – I can worry about upgrading later. The spots on the cylinder are all smooth at least. The owner before me bought one of the blue corner boxes which were assembled years later after the gold boxes were discontinued.
Here is my first K32 of hopefully many!
The gun looks good with the box. I wish it came with the original box, but alas, I could not be so lucky...
Here is a shot of the blue corners of this box. These blue corner gold K32 boxes are still plentiful. The original gold corner boxes are pretty hard to find today, as are the revolvers themselves.
Here are a few scarce K frame target revolvers from my collection. Top is a K22/40, 1 of 1067, middle is the K32, 1 of approx. 3600 (total post war production) and bottom is a 1905 4th 32-20 M&P target which shipped in 1924. I am not sure how many 32-20 M&P targets were actually made, but they are pretty scarce today. If I had to guess their production, I would think much less than 10K, perhaps less than 5K.
I feel like its been a while since I posted a thread, but my love for S&Ws and the quest for more endures...
Same as it ever was...
look where my hand was
Time isn't holding up...
Time is an asterisk...
Same as it ever was...
The K22 was pointed out to me by a helpful forum member. He had one already so he kind enough to show it to me. It is a LERK (Large Ejector Rod Knob) gun, with SN of K3641. Grips number and box numbers. The gun has some edge wear, with some muzzle wear, esp. on the left side but it is in still in respectable condition. I knew eventually I would find one because when you think about it, how many people outside of S&W collectors really know the ins and outs of early post war K22s or S&Ws in general?
I still remember first reading about these post-war transitional / LERK K22s. Of course, technically, they are not post war transitional in the way the other models are because they did have the then new short action (first on K22s in 1940). I remember vaguely first reading about them on the forum, and then finally understanding what they were, my thoughts back then were basically like this:
They paid that much for a K22? Looks just like any other K22 to me! What's so special? Oh, it's "transitional" they said? What does that mean? They have a LERK? What is that? Oh, it's the "beehive" (as I called it) ejector knob and they have "MADE IN USA" so those 2 features make it worth that much more? Really? That's a little crazy! Well look at that: so and so has K500, but someone else K350, and this guy has K200, and lower – I guess that's kind of cool…but I just want a damn Registered Magnum! I don't need to have every variety of post war K22. I have a K22/40...these post war variations don't do much for me…maybe someday will luck into one…I guess finding one would be kind of cool…….
(years pass)………..
After I got more and more into 5 screw S&Ws, I found out exactly what they were, and I started getting other "post war transitional" revolvers as well – Heavy Duty, 38 Outdoorsman, 44 Military, and a transitional Kit gun. Although I hoped to find each transitional model, I knew that I would need some luck to get some of the others. However, I always remained optimistic I would land a K22 "LERK" gun because as I said, I don't believe many people outside of the S&W collecting circles know or understand the concept.
Without further ado, here is my first LERK K22 – with less than 5,000 made, I am pleased to finally be a part of the club…
I was pleased when the seller verified the box matched.
Even though the box was empty except for some unmarked packing paper, thankfully I have one of the scarce, correct nickel knurled SATs...
Here it is with everything except the helpful hints brochure...
Here is the LERK K22, K3641, with my other boxed K22, K51XXX. Note the differences between the two. The top gun has the following features: LERK knob, "one line" MADE IN USA address and SN under K5000 (the approx. line in the sand for LERK K22s). However, both do have the narrow rib, which is not commonly found after K75000.
Here is a K22 family photo. Upper left, K22 Outdoorsman shipped May 1931 SN 633XXX, K22/40 May 1940 SN 686XXX, next is gun of this thread K3641 and at bottom is K51XXX. The gun which is pointed left might be the most special of the group...it is a 1953 gun, factory refinished, later grips, later TH and TT BUT it was my grandfather's. It was my paternal grandfather who was an avid shooter and hunter, who was responsible for my dad's interest in guns, and subsequently my own.
My new (old) K22 will go great with my other early post war S&Ws…
Who would think such a small knob could be a source of such angst and anxiety among grown men
This K32 was discovered by another local collector. I knew about it for some time, but the previous owner was never quite sure what he wanted to do with it. The ironic thing is that he is a WWI and WWII vet bring back pistol collector, yet somehow landed a pretty scarce S&W. I suppose things like that happen all the time but what are the odds? Months after he got it, he offered to me, and we made a deal on it. The "PERK" of this K32, (I mentioned in the title of this thread) is that its a narrow rib gun. SN – K67XXX. Despite how common the 5 screw K32s are compared to later 4 screw K32 and model marked 16 variations, the narrow rib variety (of the 5 screw variation) is a somewhat scarce variation of what is a scarce model in all forms. The grips number to the gun. It has some wear, most notably on the cylinder and some muzzle wear but she's honest, and my first K32 – I can worry about upgrading later. The spots on the cylinder are all smooth at least. The owner before me bought one of the blue corner boxes which were assembled years later after the gold boxes were discontinued.
Here is my first K32 of hopefully many!
The gun looks good with the box. I wish it came with the original box, but alas, I could not be so lucky...
Here is a shot of the blue corners of this box. These blue corner gold K32 boxes are still plentiful. The original gold corner boxes are pretty hard to find today, as are the revolvers themselves.
Here are a few scarce K frame target revolvers from my collection. Top is a K22/40, 1 of 1067, middle is the K32, 1 of approx. 3600 (total post war production) and bottom is a 1905 4th 32-20 M&P target which shipped in 1924. I am not sure how many 32-20 M&P targets were actually made, but they are pretty scarce today. If I had to guess their production, I would think much less than 10K, perhaps less than 5K.
I feel like its been a while since I posted a thread, but my love for S&Ws and the quest for more endures...
Same as it ever was...
look where my hand was
Time isn't holding up...
Time is an asterisk...
Same as it ever was...
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