I need advice on grips for my K22 Masterpiece.

[greenwellg]

Rode to a shop with my brother today. Picked up these grips (Cokes?). Thought they would fit my K22 (1958) Masterpiece. They fit but are not right for the gun probably for a larger frame (N?).
Anyway I have no gun of that type and I paid $20 for the grips. The grips on my K22 are later vintage than the gun but they are numbered, (shown in the photo) Magna's without diamonds. I would be interested in a trade but without knowing exactly what I have I did not want to post in the for sale category. Since the chances of finding the original grips for my K22 are slim, I was wondering if anyone would be interested in a trade for either the grips that are too large or maybe another set of that type that fit the gun or period diamond Magna's for the gun.
The grips currently on the gun have a number but are much later vintage than the gun itself. Number is shown in the photo.
Would be nice to get a decent deal in a trade of some sort.
Not ready for a bunch of PM's right now at This point.
My first choice would be Cokes for the gun, second would be original Diamond Magna's of the same time period.
My gun is serial number 323372.
There is a number 51671 on the frame of my gun ((bottom left). Indication of factory work?
Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[paplinker]

OK Lets get a start on some of your questions.
First cokes are N frame only and have a diamond around the grip screw.So your grips are not coke type. N will not fit correctly unless you find a altered set.

Your K22 is from around roughly 1958-59 so any correct period grips for this gun will have the diamond around the grip screw and also have the black washer on the back.. The target grips you now have are a pretty newer set with the silver washer on back. They do appear to be the correct size though.
You should have no problem finding a magna or target set on the forum. Maybe try a WTB with your year of gun in your ad.

 

[bgrafsr]

They are not Cokes, but standard S&W Target stocks for an N frame. The 12 80 means they were made in 1980.

 

[Bald1]

There's really only one answer to your grip dilemma. And the answer is always the same. Some sort of stag,horn,or bone and a T Grip.

 

[DWalt]

There are several very obvious differences between Cokes and any other Magna N frame target grip design. But they were not designed for your K-22 as it is a K-frame. I would be happy to use a pair of any type of K-frame target grips with the Diamond around the grip screw. Actually, a good pair of regular Magna Diamond grips would also be OK. For awhile, regular non-target Diamond Magnas were standard for K-22s.

 

[JohnRippert]

There's really only one answer to your grip dilemma. And the answer is always the same. Some sort of stag,horn,or bone and a T Grip.

Non-relieved targets are also 'the' answer, depending on who is answering the question.

OP: Good luck with your search for correct grips on that K22. Hope you find a nice set.

 

[Hawg Rider]

The s/n of your revolver (K323372) does indicate a manufacture date of 1958, so first of all, when you open the cylinder is there a model no. stamped in the cylinder yoke recess along with the s/n? S&W changed to model numbers (Model 17) from names (K22 Masterpiece) in 1957, so yours is either a very late K22 or an early Model 17. The standard stocks for these revolvers are checkered walnut with silver escutcheons and a diamond around the screw. Here is a picture of my 1948 K22 Masterpiece wearing the correct stocks. However, it's possible that S&W offered K-frame target stocks as an option. I'm sure that you could get either if you posted in the Want to Buy section of the Forum. Good luck!

 

[JP@AK]

I'm 99% certain the OP's revolver is not a Model 17. K326533 is the lowest known K-22 Masterpiece marked as a Model 17, and it was a November 1958 shipment. So K323372 is close, but no brass ring.

Model numbers did not replace model names; they were added to them. A Model 17 is still a K-22 Masterpiece; a Model 14 is still a K-38 Masterpiece; a Model 34 is still a .22/32 Kit Gun etc., etc., etc. The addition was authorized in 1957 but not implemented until 1958 at the earliest. When the numbers were applied varied from model to model.