K-22 Masterpiece value

[wayfun]

Hello All,

I'm new to the board and I am a novice when it comes to guns of any type. I have registered to take a conceal and carry class in order to obtain my permit. I have a K-22 that I had planned to use for the course but now I am having second thoughts. I bought the gun from my grandfather about 30 years ago and at that time it had only been fired 3 times. Right after buying it I shot one box of 50 shells through it. My father (a local police officer) then cleaned it for me and it hasn't been fired since. I am concerned that it is in such good condition that I should just save it as a collectable. I would like to get your collective opinions on the piece. I have the original box with the oil paper. The gun is all original with a serial number of K 47352.

I would like to get an idea of the manufacture date and some idea of the value. Also, if I shoot it would the value be diminished. I also have my father's service revolver to use which is a S&W 38 Spcl with a 4" barrel so I have other options.

Attached are a few photos to show the condition.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[wayfun]

Here are a few more photos.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[ken158]

I had one similar with box but not in the condition your's is in and got $600 for it - I would think $700 plus on you gun.

 

[Pine Cone2]

Looks to be made in 1948.

Call me crazy, but K22s are one of my favorite guns to shoot. I don't really understand the modern trend to save everything because it has value as a collector's item.

My bias, but for me it has even greater value because you have the chance to shoot one of the best revolvers ever made. Even better, you get to use something that belonged to your grandfather. Why save it so someone else gets the value? The only problem with yours is that it isn't broken in yet, so the trigger isn't as good as it will be some day. Very, very accurate revolver.

Money is just money in the end. Nice to have and useful, but I'd rather shoot the gun and get the value out of the use. You will never be able to buy a better 22 revolver.

On the mundane, $$ side, I would guess that your K22 is worth at least $600, and maybe as much as $800. They will never be made again, but remember, they were made to be used.

 

[Iggy]

The .38 would be a more practical and realistic gun for use as a concealed firearm. I would take my training with a gun I might use for the purpose.

 

[stumper]

Date would be late 1947 or early 1948

 

[fat tom]

That's a NICE one! Only way to find out how much it would be worth is to put it on an auction site. I will venture to say that if you marked it at $795 and put it in the classifieds of this forum,it would,as Sebago Son likes to say,be gone like a guppy in a shark tank! If it were mine,considering it's lineage,I wouldn't part with it for any amount of money. JMO.
f.t.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Pine Cone2 and Iggy both make very valid points. For a K-22 made in 1948 and shot so little, with box and papers, I'd guess an upper value would be north of $800. I just paid $8xx for a 1950 K-22, probably 95-98%, no box or papers. Similar K-22s on Gunbroker, with box, seem to be fetching $900 to $1,000, IF they sell. Given the history of yours, IMHO, I'd keep it, shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[firearmsunlimited]

Dennis,
FYI Smith and Wesson did not record manufacture or "birth" dates. Their records were kept predicated upon the date that shipment was made from the factory. If it helps, K48054 shipped in 1948. Your granddad's gun is a K-22, 3rd Model (Masterpiece) (Pre-M17). IMHO, based upon the condition shown in your photos, the current value is between $775.00 - $875.00 depending upon the geographic region. Hope this helps.

 

[Nightowl]

I'll bet you would be hard, hard pressed to buy one in such good condition with box, for $800, if you could ever find one! It's already been shot, and I think you could shoot several hundred rounds through it without it showing a bit. Properly taken care of much more, unless holstered. If you just take it to the range in a case and care for it after shooting, about the only thing that will show is the turn ring. I doubt that it would be worth any less in 10 years if it is shot. I bought a K49xxx about 7 or 8 years ago for the princely sum of $300. It is almost as nice as yours without the box. I have sent about 1000 rounds down it without any further indications of shooting than when I got it. It's your gun and you have to follow how you feel about it.

 

[paplinker]

they sell new for 800.00 why buy new when a 63 year old mint one with no lock comes by. I pick door number 2...enjoy your k22 you won't regret it.then give it to your kid....

 

[PMRet]

The .38 would be a more practical and realistic gun for use as a concealed firearm. I would take my training with a gun I might use for the purpose.

What Iggy said. Now, you should also shoot and enjoy that K-22. Just because you shoot it doesn't mean you can't take care of it.

 

[wayfun]

Thanks for all of the responses. Let me be clear, the K22 is not for sale. I only wanted a bit more information about it. It sounds like i've got a good piece. I wanted opinions on if I should shoot it or not.

It sound like it wouldn't hurt to shoot it a bit.

I may post some photos of the 38 revolver that my dad carried for 28 years as a policeman. It certainly shows signs of holster wear.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[David LaPell]

It depends on where you go. I took my K22 out to a couple of gun shops here locally to see what I could get for it. Mine isn't mint, but it is a very nice K22 from 1948 with the original grips but there is no box. Everywhere I took it I was offered no more than $350-$400 and these were from guys I have known a long time and always have been fair. The reason, because revolvers don't sell here and the economy is in the tank so most places don't bother with guns like this. Incidentally, I bought this K22 from a gun shop for $300 locally when no one else wanted it.

 

[redscho]

I have a similar pistol, but the S/N is K 99XX, (four digits), what would be the ship/manufacturing date for it?

 

[tango-papa]

...because revolvers don't sell here and the economy is in the tank so most places don't bother with guns like this. Incidentally, I bought this K22 from a gun shop for $300 locally when no one else wanted it.

David,

That's a nice looking piece.
If there's any others like that (K22's, Heavy Duty's, Outdoorsman's, etc.) in your area, please let me know via PM as I'm always looking.

tp

 

[Davwingman]

I have a similar pistol, but the S/N is K 99XX, (four digits), what would be the ship/manufacturing date for it?

Most likely late '47 or early '48.

 

[Shooting Padre]

I just purchased a K22-18 4" in very good condition, I'd say 90%+ and decided to shoot it. I wavered over making it a safe queen or a shooter. I took the middle road, a well cared for shooter. I won't carry it in a holster or beat it around to protect the finish as much as possible. But I am 63 years old and having this chance to shoot a classic revolver may never come again. I too have a Model 15 .38 4" which is almost identical to the K22 so it gives me the same thrill with less cost and recoil to shoot the K22. My humble opinion is to enjoy your treasure as well as cherish it. You have a wonderful revolver there. I personally would not sell it until I could no longer lift it to shoot it. Or pass it on to your family. Congrats.

 

[Smithhound]

Congratulations on being the keeper of such a nice K22. Many people on this board would give an organ to own one in that condition with the box and paperwork. Secondly, kudo's to you for realizing the importance of keeping something that meant that much to you Grandfather. Many people in this day and age wouldn't think twice about the family history of that gun, nor the honor of owning it and passing it down, that speaks volumes about your character. Choose wisely the one you pass it down to, make sure they know and understand what it means.
Thirdly, to your original question, you can' hurt that gun by shooting it, it's already been fired. Shoot it, clean it, care for it and enjoy it. However if it were me, to take the qualification test I would choose the .38. I believe you should qualify with the gun you intend to carry. Training and familiarization is what is needed for profiency with a weapon.
Nothing wrong with using the .22 for your CCW test, just practice with what you will end up carrying.
Thanks for posting those pictures, you have a rare jewel, your Granddad had a good eye for guns.
RD