Buying first 5 screw, what to look for?

[bottlerocket]

Found a pre-model 18 K frame 4 inch which the seller claims to date to 1950 for an unusually low price locally. Going to meet face to face but I've never handled a 5 screw. From what I have been able to find, a gun of this configuration and vintage should be around 800-1000, so his price makes me question what could be wrong with the gun.

Ad description claims a partridge beaded front sight and adjustable rear, serrated trigger and checkered hammer, and numbers matching.

 

[RMFnLA]

Can you post pictures?

 

[bottlerocket]

Photos from ad

 

[22hipower]

Lots of K22 Combat Masterpiece, pre-model 18, information available here if you use the search button at the top of the page. The description has at least one red flag "partridge beaded front sight." It is patridge not partridge but that's not the issue, should be a four inch barrel with a ramp front sight on an early '50s gun. Without pictures can't really tell much about value; all depends on condition. Could be $800+ if nice or a lot less if the condition isn't good; or maybe the barrel has been changed. Good luck.

Edit: Just saw the pictures, looks kind of rough, probably considerably less than an $800 gun at least where I shop; maybe $500. Can't see the front sight, need to see it or understand what the seller meant by "beaded front sight."

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[ken158]

After seeing the pics, that is not an $800 gun. Maybe half that, but I am conservative as I've been told...

 

[JP@AK]

Your pictures don't show the front sight, except for glimpse of the rear portion of the ramp. I suspect this is a Baughman front sight, which would be normal on a .22 Combat Masterpiece. It certainly is not a "Partridge."

We do need to know what the "bead" looks like . . .

I agree with my colleagues. $800 is too much for this revolver.

 

[Bumpus13]

You didn’t actually say what he was asking for it.

 

[DWalt]

It's definitely from later than 1950. If you know the SN it could be dated more precisely, but it is a pre-18 probably from the mid-1950s if it's a 5-screw. $800-$1000 is very optimistic as a value, $500 (or less) is more like it given its apparent condition which is pure shooter grade.

 

[wheelgun610]

The finish on the gun in the pics appears to be high gloss, which was a special order on any S&W revolver in 1950 - except for the .357 Magnum. Target hammers 'might' have shipped on a .22 Combat Masterpiece in 1950 (by special order), but target triggers weren't available until the mid-50s. As mentioned, the serial number would be the best indicator of the approximate ship date.

Mark

 

[andy52]

Demographics play a large portion of gun prices but from what I saw in the photos that isn't a 800 gun. Here's a couple of photos of one I bought about 6 months ago for 599, dates to 1952 and came with a set of non-relieved targets.