richardandsherrie
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I have K 22 serial no. K 211xx can someone date this for me?
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K 22 dates
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1948 per Standard Catalog S&W. A classic and desirable revolver. Post some pics when you can, we all like pics.
Funny I was just reading that paragraph in the Book.
,,,"This model was the beginning of the K serial prefix range at K 101."
I believe there would be considerable variation between a
K22 with a 5 digit serial number and a
K22 with a 6 digit serial number
In Value
Post WW2 ,, 1946?
1948 ,, (I believe will have a 4 line address?)
I'm curious about the 5 or 6 digits ?
Desirable and an early K 21,000 serial number. I'm not all in on the 5 digit number. (EASY) mistake to make on a first post.
K51403 shipped in September 1949.
Sure would like to see the other side of this one.
Address lines and trade mark
larryofcc
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My God you're Old!'
Not many of us remember the 48 star Flag in school
A 4 digit, an awesome 4 digit ,, thanks for sharing
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richardandsherrie
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That looks to be in amazing condition. Very nice.
larryofcc
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A little older than the 1947 gun. Not as good condition either. Also I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance without "Under God". Red Skelton showed us the new way.
I started my collection with that K22. It was at the Reno show, and I was looking for a low number. There were 3 at the show and this was the best one.Had no idea what a LERK was. Big & Old Larry
Dating K series serial numbers is right up there with falling off a log!
A little bitty book, first on the scene loooooooooooong before the Standard Catalog, Jinks' History of Smith & Wesson has the K numbers from 1946 through 1983 all one page (190). It starts off with just the K prefix, and ends up with 270K. I presume it's still available---and costs something on the order of chump change-----comparatively speaking.
It, along with Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 (more commonly known as "N&J" in honor of its authors (Neal & Jinks)) has just recently been identified as "the foundation" of ANY S&W library by the one and only "Big Gorilla", whose largess affords us the opportunity to run our mouths here 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, free for nothing----UNLESS you choose to contribute to the cause of keeping all this going----and I dare say those contributions are pretty much what does keep it going!!
Books contain way more knowledge than the whole bunch of us put together----and makes us look like we know what we're talking about; when what we really know is how to read!!
Ralph Tremaine
A little bitty book, first on the scene loooooooooooong before the Standard Catalog, Jinks' History of Smith & Wesson has the K numbers from 1946 through 1983 all one page (190). It starts off with just the K prefix, and ends up with 270K. I presume it's still available---and costs something on the order of chump change-----comparatively speaking.
It, along with Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 (more commonly known as "N&J" in honor of its authors (Neal & Jinks)) has just recently been identified as "the foundation" of ANY S&W library by the one and only "Big Gorilla", whose largess affords us the opportunity to run our mouths here 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, free for nothing----UNLESS you choose to contribute to the cause of keeping all this going----and I dare say those contributions are pretty much what does keep it going!!
Books contain way more knowledge than the whole bunch of us put together----and makes us look like we know what we're talking about; when what we really know is how to read!!
Ralph Tremaine
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Merry Christmas
Richard & Sherrie A fabulous example of a beautiful Masterpiece
Wow ! What a package
Congratulations and, Ladies first
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Published materials show production dates, but the factory tracked age by ship (sales) date. That said, a "birthdate" in the late winter or early spring of 1948 is likely. At that time, with pent up postwar demand, these guns were shipping pretty much as fast as they could be built.
The earliest postwar K-22 Masterpieces have the barrel-shaped extractor rod end and the Made In U.S.A. stamping on the right frame. The larger rod end went away before the four-line address started, and this gun is informally called a "Transitional" model due to having only the one-line address. Enjoy!
K19733 shipped March 1948. Was my first K frame 22.
Robert
Robert
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richardandsherrie
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K 22
Nice gun but has the wrong grips. They should be square butt grips.
Nice gun but has the wrong grips. They should be square butt grips.
Yes, the stocks on Robert's gun are later and the wrong style.
They are from later than 1952, indicated by the soft shoulder.
Also, they are the PC style, which didn't ship on target units and had not even been introduced yet in 1948.
They are from later than 1952, indicated by the soft shoulder.
Also, they are the PC style, which didn't ship on target units and had not even been introduced yet in 1948.
My K22 is K3251. SCS&W says it is probably 1947 as well, seemingly early. They were selling a lot of 22 revolvers after WWII.
Another little tid-bit about earlier guns----they fetch higher prices! These two were sold at the same time at the same place (GB) during the liquidation of my collection of targets.
K7468 shipped December 17, 1947, and went for $1530.
K55489 shipped December 7, 1948, and went for $1175.
Both were in identical condition, top of the line. The only difference was one was a "one liner", and the other was a "four liner".
I don't understand all I know about that, unless K-22 fans pay a premium for earlier guns.
Ralph Tremaine
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richardandsherrie
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K 22 sold
Did these have there gold boxes and tools? Where all no's matching?
Did these have there gold boxes and tools? Where all no's matching?
True. This gun did have PC grips on it. I have since replaced them with a set numbered about 1000 numbers apart from the serial number on the gun.
It has been estimated that roughly 10,000 K-22 Masterpiece revolvers shipped in 1947. That, by the way, was the first year of full production. Very few K-22s shipped in 1946. In fact, I believe only one did.
This thread is making me think I got a bargain for my (est. 1947) K-22 Masterpiece. Other than some bluing wear on the end of the barrel, obviously from holster wear by a previous owner, and a tiny chip in the right side cylinder shroud from a drop, it sits equally with all my 22 revolvers for best accuracy. I put the target grips on it because they fit my hand better, and the originals (numbered) are put away for safe keeping.
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No boxes/no nothing, but likely all matching numbers (don't remember/didn't pay that much attention on run of the mill guns).
Actually, only three of the 65 guns had boxes----a NM 3 (target), a .44 H.E. 2nd Target, and a K-32 (either the 2nd or 3rd). The two older boxes were bad hurting, and I sent them off to Gary Lowe (Box Wizard!!) who brought them back to life in fine fashion!
Ralph Tremaine
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richardandsherrie
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boxes
How can I get a hold of the box guy? I have a S&W box that needs help? Thanks
How can I get a hold of the box guy? I have a S&W box that needs help? Thanks
glowe, here on the Forum.
Hey Larry, I have K4973, pretty close to yours. No letter but figured late 1947.
Wyo, your serial number is 489 earlier than mine. They could have been built the same week. Yes I know S&W is famous for building guns and not shipping in order, but what I've seen of early post war K17's and K14's, they seemed to be shipped as soon as they were built. Demand was very high in those first years after WWII.
