K-22 Masterpiece with Safety

[thadheth]

I saw a K-22 Masterpiece today with a safety. It is rumored to be a limited production piece from 1953. (I do not have my SCSW with me - and perhaps it is identified there.) The gun will only fire if you push a pin on the front of the gun. You can engage the safety by pushing the cylinder release forward. I was told that it was a special production for a gun club.
Can someone tell me what this thing is, and what it might be worth?
Thanks.

 

[thadheth]

I saw a K-22 Masterpiece today with a safety. It is rumored to be a limited production piece from 1953. (I do not have my SCSW with me - and perhaps it is identified there.) The gun will only fire if you push a pin on the front of the gun. You can engage the safety by pushing the cylinder release forward. I was told that it was a special production for a gun club.
Can someone tell me what this thing is, and what it might be worth?
Thanks.

 

[mikepriwer]

I've not heard of such a feature. The best thing to do would be for a S&WCA
member to post this on the S&WCA site. Roy Jinks might respond.

Personally, I think this is not factory.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[thadheth]

Thanks for your response. I am not familiar with the S&WCA site. Can you help clarify that? Thank you.

 

[VM]

M.P. is correct with his guidance but...........
Please post pics on this site also as we would all like to see this "safety"
Thanks

Here's an easy way to post pictures

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/590103904/m/3011047303

 

[mikepriwer]

S&WCA is the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association. Its a membership organization,with
annual dues, and its own private web site. Its approved by the factory, and features Roy
Jinks, the factory historian.

Typically, questions like this would draw a response from Roy.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[thadheth]

Thank you for the responses. I cannot post pictures at the moment, since the gun is not mine. There really is not much to see, since the safety is released by pushing the front of the ejector. If I have a chance to get a photo or two, I'll post them. Thanks again for your help.

 

[s&wchad]

It could be a Murabito aftermarket safety.

http://www.tarnhelm.com/murabito.html

 

[thadheth]

Thanks S&WChad for the Morabito suggestion. It looks similar. The pistol that I saw had the added feature of releasing the safety by pushing on the front of the ejector rod. This one really has me stumped (and curious)!

 

[Art Doc]

I remember that Murabito Safety. Pretty slick for a cop who might have his own gun turned on him after a struggle.

Am I nuts or do I also recall some S&W revolvers made back in the 1970s for export to a foreign police agency (I want to say France) and they wanted a manual safety so S&W built a lever or button on the side? Seems I remember something like that but maybe I'm just losing my mind.

 

[Doc44]

SP...Your mind is safe. You are correct. I don't remember the details, but I have seen the revolvers with the safety.

Bill

 

[Histprof]

According to Supica and Nahas, there was a special production run in 1966 of Model 12-2s with safeties for the French police. The latch was on the sideplate and looks a lot like a flat cylinder latch. These guns were made with 2 and 3 inch barrels. An estimated 12-18 of them remained in the United States.

 

[mikepriwer]

I had one of those, and sold it 3-4 years ago. These are my notes on it :

C819133 Bl S Mg Model 12/Safety/Box

I recall this one being a 4" gun. Thats the serial number. Its a mint NIB gun.

Later, Mike Priwer