Help with factory nickel k22

[Ck77]

Can anyone help with this k22?
I have done some research and if what I think i have is indeed a factory nickel k22 post war it maybe considered a unicorn among collectors and very valuable. Was hoping to get a value range to help me decide if I should just use the gun or put it up in the the safe or send for sw factory letter and pass it along to a high end collector.

 

[George_in_SD]

It is a factory refinish. Note the * along with the N. Worth around 750-1000.

 

[gmborkovic]

It is a factory nickel gun. Just didnt leave the factory originally nickel.
Just my opinion. Get a letter.

 

[AKtinman]

A factory letter will tell the tale.

You might be interested in this thread:

Nickel K-22

The "Star" marking indicates a rework of some kind. A Nickel refinish was commonly indicated by "R-N" inside a rectangle on the butt.

Nice that whoever did the work did not plate the front sight, but left it blue>

 

[JP@AK]

The serial number would indicate that is a 1948 unit.

I agree that the star by the N most likely indicates that it was sent back to the factory for a finish change. That is a possibility, and I'd suggest a letter request specifically asking about the finish. Maybe the SWHF records will reveal something. Is there a date stamp on the left side of the grip frame near the toe?

 

[moosedog]

The star shows back to S&W for some kind of a work and those soft numbers on the bottom of the but tell me it's been buffed out.

 

[DV0]

Wouldn’t the star almost on top of the N indicate a definite later finish change.

 

[jsfricks]

You might save your money on a factory letter. According to Doc44 in the link to the other K22 there’s little chance that research would show a refinish.

 

[George_in_SD]

Don’t waste money getting a letter. The value isn’t going to meaningfully change either way. It started life as a blued gun and was refinished shortly thereafter.

 

[gjamison]

I have a 17-3 that was bought new and immediately sent back to the factory for a nickel a finish. I purchased it from the original owner and that was what he told me. Closest I’ll ever get to a factory nickel k22.

Regardless of factory nickel or not it’s still a very nice revolver.

 

[22hipower]

Welcome to the Forum. We see nickeled K22s occasionally but not often done by the factory. It would be worth more to me than the average factory blue re-finished K22 but not a lot more. If it was mine I think I would get the letter and then ask for a deep dive from the Historical Foundation as correspondence or a work order for whatever was done may be available.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[GF]

It's a nice revolver, refinish by the factory is done well.
I had a 17-3 I was going to send to Fords for a Nickel finish. Never got around to it.

 

[larryofcc]

Example of a factory refinish of a 48-3. Total redo. It was done 10-1982. Big Larry