K-22/40 Just sold on Gunbroker
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mkk41
US Veteran
Dang! And I only paid $500 for mine. Ain't got the original grips or box , but it don't have that heavy a turn ring either!
"SN:6847xx, * suffix; All original throughout."
Uh huh. Wonder if the seller understood the import of that star. Or the buyer.
There is likely to be a date stamp under the left stock panel. It would be nice to know what it is.
ADDENDUM: I won't change the wording I used in the original version of this post, but my snide comment was out of place. I have since learned that the seller did NOT know the significance of the star, but was open and helpful in discussing the gun with an individual who called him to talk further about it.
As long as buyer and seller are both happy with the transaction, that's what matters.
Uh huh. Wonder if the seller understood the import of that star. Or the buyer.
There is likely to be a date stamp under the left stock panel. It would be nice to know what it is.
ADDENDUM: I won't change the wording I used in the original version of this post, but my snide comment was out of place. I have since learned that the seller did NOT know the significance of the star, but was open and helpful in discussing the gun with an individual who called him to talk further about it.
As long as buyer and seller are both happy with the transaction, that's what matters.
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rburg
Member
The * doesn't always mean refinish. It can also mean a major parts replacement. I have no idea what part is major and what isn't. If anyone could tell us with any authority, I'd be grateful. A good strong magnifier would be of tremendous value. When they refinish a gun, the ones I've seen seem to have the * stamped prior to the refinish. But I've also seen (and owned) guns with the infamous * that was clearly stamped through the original finish. I'm guessing it means a new "major" part. If you look at the barrel pin, you can almost always tell if its been removed. A change in the hammer or trigger wouldn't upset me at all.
We'll never know, or unless it was one of our guys here, we won't know if they even understood the *.
To me, the $4000 was a pretty cheap price for a very sought after gun. I know I wouldn't sell either of mine that cheap.
We'll never know, or unless it was one of our guys here, we won't know if they even understood the *.
To me, the $4000 was a pretty cheap price for a very sought after gun. I know I wouldn't sell either of mine that cheap.
Old Seabee
US Veteran
K22
Hello I have a one liner with four # K587* any help with year of prod Thanks
Hello I have a one liner with four # K587* any help with year of prod Thanks
Old Seabee
US Veteran
K22
Thank you but how can a six didget ser # be older than a four dig just asking
Thank you but how can a six didget ser # be older than a four dig just asking
COYOTEHUNTER
Member
Kris,
Please post pictures when it arrives...
Regards
HA HA HA it wasnt me!
too much coin for this guy!
COYOTEHUNTER
Member
I was watching it and it jumped from $2600 to $4000 in the last 18 minutes.
The gun featured in the first post is the prewar K-22 Masterpiece, made only in 1940. These guns were numbered in the .38 HE series, which was in six numerical digits at that time. It is also known as the K-22 Second Model. The gun you have is an early specimen of the postwar K-22 Third Model, which was also called the K-22 Masterpiece. The serial number sequence includes a new K prefix and was restarted for this model; the first serial number is K101.
The thing that makes the K-22 Second Model (or K-22/40, as it is sometimes known) so valuable is its rarity. Barely a thousand were made.
Just a couple of the postwar K-22s were shipped in late 1946. Then the first 12,000 or so of that model were shipped in 1947.
I nibbled it at $2500. It jumped to $4000 and I said good night. It had an 11/42 rework date stamp curtesy of another forum member.
I saved my checking account from a nervous breakdown.
I saved my checking account from a nervous breakdown.
David
Is it generally correct to say that all prewar K-22s (including the Second Model) have round barrels and that all postwar K-22s have a rib? I know it is dangerous to say "all" about anything S&W, but is this a usable working theory?
Thanks,
Jack
Yes.
In general, all target-sighted K-frames before WWII had ribless barrels and, with one exception, all postwar target K-frames had ribbed barrels. This goes for .22s, .32s, and .38s.
The one exception is the .38 Target Model of 1946, or Mexican, which is basically a prewar .38 M&P target topped off with a postwar click adjustable rear sight and super-tall front sight. No rib on that one.
Good to know the return date. I would agree with rburg that the gun was probably not back to the factory for a refinish so soon after acquisition. Some mechanical issue, I imagine.
When is it the S&WHF will have the wartime records digitized?
rburg
Member
OK, given the * and the information, and the lack of box, maybe the price was fair. Its one of those guns that everyone wants one of, but there just aren't enough to go around. Those of us who have them mostly are just sitting on them. You can't pry them loose except with major money, and $4000 isn't in the game. David Carroll had one a couple of years ago listed at $8700 and it sold, who knows for how much.
.22/40 recent sale
I started collecting S&W revolvers at age 60 as a way to have fun and set aside assets for my 2 grandkids college fund. Little did I know that 1 gun could equal 1 year of college
I started collecting S&W revolvers at age 60 as a way to have fun and set aside assets for my 2 grandkids college fund. Little did I know that 1 gun could equal 1 year of college
I too followed this auction, as the 22/40's don't come along very often. The finish looked original to me and I too believe that it was sent back for some type of part replacement, most likely a hammer or trigger. On the price issue, like Dick, it would take a lot more that $4K to compel me to enter into a transaction for the sale of either of my pre-war K-22 Masteripeces - the bottom two guns in this photo:
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Memphis
Member
Wow...these things have appreciated in price quite nicely. I've got two nice ones that I've thought seriously about selling lately. Seems I've developed another itch to have another old Corvette. I know, I'd have to sell several guns to make another run at that but if jupiter lines up with mars it could happen. I traded in to my first K22/40 and it has matching number service grips. The other I bought outright with no trade. It has magna's and also some S&W historical foundation documentation. Both also have factory letters and both were located here on the Forum. One thing is for sure, you DO NOT see them for sale very often. There are however several members within our ranks that have them.
Roger
Roger
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