Interesting Model 48

[mag318]

I've long wanted a Model 48 in 22 Magnum and finally found this one. The problem is that I wanted one to shoot and this one is unfired since it left the factory in 1972. But what I found really interesting about this one is that it came in an apparent Model 53 box and has the extra fitted 22 LR cylinder. I seen 48s before but always in the smaller box, perhaps these were used because they had a cutout for the extra cylinder. The end label states 48-3 but the gun is a 48-2, however the serial number matches so I'm not really concerned about that discrepancy. If this revolver was in 95% instead of 99% condition I'd have no qualms about shooting it. So I'll either put this one back in the vault where it will remain a safe queen, or sell it and look for one I'd feel comfortable shooting.

 

[LEO918]

I think I'd shoot it. Seems to have a turn line and the sides of the hammer show wear. Enjoy it don't holster it and it will not show much more wear.

 

[kudzu3]

Yea, I'd shoot it too, and treat it real good.

 

[s&wchad]

That looks like a 48-3 to me, regardless of how the gun's marked. The front rear sight screw doesn't appear to be directly over the flash gap. I believe that's the only difference between the -2 and the -3.

Nice package!

 

[hoover 1]

I agree with the other posters. Shoot it and do not holster it.

Thanks,

Hoover

 

[Camster]

One day it will be fired,so it might as well be you.

 

[mag318]

I see that S&W is producing new Model 48s again so I may buy one of those to use as a shooter. I believe the original owner of this one just took it out to handle and wipe down but for some reason never shot it.
What do you guys think of the box, have you ever come across a Model 48 shipped in a Model 53 22 Jet box? This is the paperwork that was inside the box.

 

[Sebago Son]

Being me, I'd look to see if that was a "Tagged" box. There are alot of unscrupulous individuals around who have no problem with "making up" a "correct" box. There are even more shady characters that sell bogus blank "S&W" labels...

If that's so in this case, the joke's on the moron that did it. A clean 4" 53 box is hard to find and valuable.

Nice score for you in any event! Congrats!

Drew

 

[budrichard]

There are those that don't understand the difference bewteen 22 MRF and 22 Magnum. The box is obviously not for your gun and was cobbled up probably or someone at S&W decided to send the Model 48 and cylinder in a Model 53 box of which I have nver seen.
Are you sure the 22 lr cylinder is fitted to your M48? Have you installed the 22 lr cylinder and checked that it functions OK?
Please Post a picture of the end label.
In any event a 4" M48 and 22 cylinder are a nice acquisition.
I have two 4" Model 53's NIB and have only seen a handfull over the years.
4" Model 48's are somewhat harder to come by but not rare and certainly not a collectable by my standards. I have 4", 6" and 8&3/8 M48 and for most applications, the 6" is preferred. Since I carry a Model 51 while hunting, I don't carry the 4" M48 but that's what I would use it for.
Have no qualms about using the Model 48 whether shooting or carrying.
If it really concerns you gate a 6" M48 for shooting and a M51 for carry but of course you then don't have option of using 22 lr for target shooting.-Dick
-Dick

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

There are those that don't understand the difference bewteen 22 MRF and 22 Magnum.

What is the difference?

 

[kudzu3]

There are those that don't understand the difference bewteen 22 MRF and 22 Magnum.

What is the difference?

I'd like to know too.

 

[Sebago Son]

.22 MRF = .22 Magnum Rim Fire.
.22 Magnum = .22 Magnum Centerfire or .22 Jet.

This is my 4" Jet, Model 53.

If you compare it to your Model 48 you will see differences, such as; the dual position hammer for both rim and centerfire and the protected ejector rod housing...

Drew

 

[weatherby]

Nice wood Drew

 

[Sebago Son]

Nice wood Drew

You like that? I knew you would! Book Match Grain....

 

[M29since14]

Don't buy another gun. Just shoot the one you have. Take good care of it and everything will be fine.

If you want one to shoot that has a longer barrel, that's another matter.

I agree with your notion that the box for your gun "may" be a "use 'em up" deal. It seems like I have seen 48s with 2 cylinders in "Jet" boxes, but I can't be sure. Be interesting to see what others say about that.

 

[sceva]

Sebago Son beat me to it. Mod 53 (22 Jet) barrels are marked .22 Magnum. .22 mag Rimfires (Mod 48) barrels are marked .22 MRF

 

[mag318]

Here's a photo of the end label. This revolver was bought in Switzerland by my friend, and reimported back into the US. It was part of a large group of guns he purchased at the Lucerne gun show. Luckily when the Model 48 was imported to Switzerland they don't proof mark them. As you can see the label was taped over and there is no mention of an extra cylinder, also it denotes a 48-3 while the crane is marked 48-2. On the other end of the box this was also added.
As Budrichard suggested I just checked the 22 lr cylinder and I'm happy to report it fits perfectly with proper timing and gap. I always like my S&Ws to be timed where the cylinder indexes well before the hammer drops. The auxillary 22 lr cylinder is definately factory fitted and I can feel no difference between cylinders when cocking slowly or DA cycling.
Sabago Son, that is a beautiful set of grips

 

[glenncal1]

Mag- I will end your dilemma and offer to take the whole mess off your hands

 

[s&wchad]

Have you looked on the back side of the extractor star for a serial number?

 

[budrichard]

Again, nice 2 cylinder M48 4" set.
I'm not sure of any of the rest of the information and I suggest a Factory Letter which should detail where shipped. again, I hahve never seen a M48 shipped in a M53 box and since we have those on this Forum that don't know the difference between 22 MRF and 22 Magnum, it would ber very simple for such a person to assume that the Box for a S&W 22 Magnum was infact the correct box for a Model 48.
I usually am very leery of what others tell me in the world of collecting unless I have verified the information for myself.-Dick

 

[mag318]

Have you looked on the back side of the extractor star for a serial number?

Yes the cylinder is numbered under the extractor star.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

Very nice model 48. While I don't know the answer to the box question, I can say that 4" model 48s don't tend to turn up that often. I have a 4" model 48-2, no box, but 99%+ and came with a beautiful set of smooth targets. It is the only 4" model 48 I've ever seen in person. Based on it's D.O.M., it should be a -3, but the frame is marked mod 48-2. Here's a pic:

Since I did not get an extra .22 LR cylinder for mine, I did the next logical thing and matched it up with my 4" model 18-3. Here's the complete set of Combat Masterpieces from top:
18-3 .22 LR
48-2 .22 MRF
15-3 .38 Special

 

[M29since14]

Here's the complete set of Combat Masterpieces from top:
18-3 .22 LR
48-2 .22 MRF
15-3 .38 Special

You're missing the .32, but so was I. I never got closer to one than a picture.

Some day I have an idea to make one. I have a shot out Jet barrel that could be rebored, and Hamilton Bowen has blank magnum-length K-frame cylinders. Wouldn't be an original, but it would make a pretty nifty little gun to bounce around the tin cans.

Getting back to to OP and his thought to buy a new Model 48, I hope he will keep us posted if he follows through with that. Don't see anyone talking much about these.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

That's neat. I didn't know the K32 was made as a combat masterpiece. The only 4" k32 I've seen is the 16-4 with the full underlug.

 

[mag318]

Now that is a beautiful set of grips.

Very nice model 48. While I don't know the answer to the box question, I can say that 4" model 48s don't tend to turn up that often. I have a 4" model 48-2, no box, but 99%+ and came with a beautiful set of smooth targets. It is the only 4" model 48 I've ever seen in person. Based on it's D.O.M., it should be a -3, but the frame is marked mod 48-2. Here's a pic:

Since I did not get an extra .22 LR cylinder for mine, I did the next logical thing and matched it up with my 4" model 18-3. Here's the complete set of Combat Masterpieces from top:
18-3 .22 LR
48-2 .22 MRF
15-3 .38 Special

 

[mag318]

I did buy the gun, and as luck would have it I found a shooter grade Model 48 a few days later. I just can't bring myself to shoot this one, so I may either sell it or just relegate it to safe queen status.

You're missing the .32, but so was I. I never got closer to one than a picture.

Some day I have an idea to make one. I have a shot out Jet barrel that could be rebored, and Hamilton Bowen has blank magnum-length K-frame cylinders. Wouldn't be an original, but it would make a pretty nifty little gun to bounce around the tin cans.

Getting back to to OP and his thought to buy a new Model 48, I hope he will keep us posted if he follows through with that. Don't see anyone talking much about these.

 

[mag318]

Just got off the phone with Roy Jinks and he said it is quite possible that my Model 48 was shipped in the Model 53 box because of the cutout for the extra cylinder, but there is no way to verify it as they don't keep records of what type of box was used. Mr Jinks is a very gracious gentleman and a pleasure to talk to.

 

[vent rib]

This box thing is not always as simple as you would think. I have a model 17 triple "T" that absolutely will not fit in the original box without removing the grips. I know the box is original because I bought it from the original owner.

 

[mag318]

Well I put this revolver on GunAuctions with a reserve of $1100.00, actually I think it's worth more. But then a gun is worth only as much as someone is willing to pay for it. The highest the bidding got up to was $1050.00, so now I have to decide what to do with it. I did pick up another Model 48 in 95% condition so I have a shooter, and boy are these 22 Magnums fun to shoot. I can see why these are so sought after, enough so that S&W is making them again. This revolver is one of the few I just can't bring myself to shoot so back into the depths of my vault it goes.