Help Identifying this revolver

[DrLopez521]

I inherited this revolver. Looking for help to identify. Have attached photos to show all the info requested in the guidelines.
Thank you so much!
The model number looks to be: J M 89643
Type: Barrel ejects to the left
Serial : K 246XX
Caliber: 22 Long Rifle CTG
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Sights: I think adjustable
Screws: I think 3

 

[steelslaver]

That is a K22 from the late 40s. The barrel is actually 6" as you measure it from face of cylinder Those are adjustable sights and it has 5 screws 1 is hidden by the stocks and the other is the one in front of the trigger guard. It has what is often called a fish hook hammer. Great revolvers and they are usually very accurate. Enjoy

Here is a 4" from the same time frame

 

[JP@AK]

You have a K-22 Masterpiece that probably shipped in the Spring of 1948. Everything, including the stocks, appears to be original. A nice piece to inherit!

The letters and numbers in the yoke area are essentially meaningless. They were used only during the assembly process. S&W revolvers of that age did not have model numbers, only model names.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! Congratulations on inheriting one of the finest .22 LR revolvers ever manufactured. The K-22 Masterpiece is an extremely accurate and fun to shoot revolver. Without a lot of recoil or "BOOM" it's a great handgun to teach the ladies and kids how to shoot properly. Here's my K-22, also from 1948 (s/n K40403). Enjoy!

 

[Hondo44]

For the true barrel length, measure the entire barrel, not just what shows beyond the frame.

 

[Mike LaNier]

Nice inheritance! S&W made a number of the K-22 "Masterpieces", but the 'Pre-Model Number' guns (before 1957) and the 5-screw S&W revolvers (pre-1962) are becoming more collectable. I would suggest a factory letter ($100) to go with the gun; it would enhance the value. They shoot good, too...

 

[JP@AK]

the 'Pre-Model Number' guns (before 1957) and the 5-screw S&W revolvers (pre-1962)

Model numbers were assigned in June 1957, but model marked guns didn't ship until 1958. So, the so-called "pre-model number" units shipped all the way through 1957.
The fifth screw disappeared in 1956 (under a management order issued in 1955). Then the K frames had four screw frames until c. 1961, when the fourth screw was eliminated.

 

[DrLopez521]

Thank you all for this info. An update... I signed up and took the beginners pistol course here in NC (run by North Carolina Wildlife). It worked great. class was awesome, it is a 3 hour course, the final hour is at the range. The instructor hesitated when he saw the revolver and said 'i should take that and put it into a safe...'... and which point i thought it was because i my crappy shooting then he finished his sentence with '..cause that is a very nice revolver and you would hate for something to happen to it'. I was like.. yeah, this is my only gun, sooooo i'm gonna have to use it. I figured it lasted 60 years, it should be ok with me going to the range once a month . If anyone is wondering.. i am a SUPER accurate shooter as long as i use single-action, take a couple of breaths and i am 4 yards from my target

 

[DrLopez521]

does anyone have any idea on how i can make a one time donation to this forum . i dont need to sign up for a plan. but am happy to venmo $10 for all the help i got to help pay the bills. the 'donate' button only takes me to the plans.

 

[mikepriwer]

The person you want to contact is Lee Jarrett, otherwise known as 'handejector'. Click on the forums button, and there will be a message from him at the top of the list. You should be able to send a direct message to him. Tell him what you want to do - maybe it will be as simple as sending him a check.

Mike Priwer

 

[Doriangray6]

Here's my grandfather's K22 Masterpiece which, according to S&W, was made in late 1948-early 1949. I ended up with it when my father croaked but since my daughter isn't into firearms I passed it on to my brother so he can pass it on to one of his kids, who are all shooters, and keep it in the family.
At sometime in it's long life it acquired a trigger shoe and an early pair of Pachmayr target grips made of some sort of plastic. I've shot K22s with factory grips and without trigger shoes and they're amazingly accurate but these upgrades moved grandpa's K22 up to another level of accuracy.
PS: What looks like specks of rust and pitting are fuzz from the towel my brother wipe it down with before taking the pics.

 

[DWalt]

Back in the heyday of competitive Bullseye target shooting, over 50 years or so back, the S&W Masterpiece series (6” barrel) revolvers were made in .22, .32 Long, and .38 Special, primarily for that purpose. There were also very similar revolvers made, termed the “Combat Masterpiece”, except they came with 4” barrels. Those were once popular guns for law enforcement use, and in .38 Special, they were for awhile the official sidearm of the USAF. Today most competitive Bullseye target shooters (the sport still exists) use mainly semiauto pistols, seldom revolvers. Colt once made similar target revolvers also intended for Bullseye shooter use. The very first new revolver I ever bought was a K-38 Masterpiece, that was in the late 1960s. I still have it.