Dating my new to me k22

[Stickandrudder]

Hey guys, new to the forum. Just picked up this K frame 22 outdoorsman, was wondering if anyone with a collectors book could tell me the year. On another forum they said it was similar to some 1933 guns but I wondered if there was a more concrete answer available. S&W wanted $100 for a letter that’s too steep for me. It’s serial # 6452xx. Thanks!

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Yes, it is a pre WW II revolver and should have shipped in the early 1930s. Only a letter will give you a definite date. Some of these shipped to important shooters.

 

[DARE]

The first example of this revolver was presented to Doug Wesson on 1/3/1931. Serial number 632132. I have 661640 that shipped April 1937.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! You've got a nice and very early K-22 Outdoorsman. The guys on that other forum were essentially correct...yours dates to the early 1930s. It looks to be in pretty good condition, except for some finish wear, and the walnut stocks are really nice. Since your revolver is an early piece, it may be worth your time and money to invest in a S&W letter to understand its history and provenance. It should be a fun and accurate shooter. Enjoy!

 

[Stickandrudder]

Thanks guys! Yeah maybe I’ll get a letter. It has E.F. initialed on the inside of the grips with 1934 and it’s etched on the frame too inside the grips. So that fits with the serial numbers listed above. I wish old guns could talk.

 

[RKmesa]

Thanks guys! Yeah maybe I’ll get a letter. It has E.F. initialed on the inside of the grips with 1934 and it’s etched on the frame too inside the grips. So that fits with the serial numbers listed above. I wish old guns could talk.

Who knows, the E.F. Could be for "E. F. Hutton" - when he speaks people listen. Or it could have been E.F. Warner, who was the editor of Field & Stream - I once was the caretaker of a rare Transitional 357 Magnum that shipped to Mr. Warner.

Definitely a letter is in order.

 

[Onomea]

Ella Fitzgerald!

 

[Stickandrudder]

Haha… It could be any of those,
it probably is! My dad joked it was Errol Flynn! I like to believe it is. Maybe I shouldn’t get a letter and just stick with one of those stories.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Elmer Fudd?

 

[Truckman]

Maybe I shouldn’t get a letter and just stick with one of those stories.

Do yourself a favor, and get the letter now...You can thank us all later... ...Ben

 

[H Richard]

Another early one was my K22 Outdoorsman # 637707 which shipped July 1931. Wish I still had it.