K-22 Masterpiece?

[Kaweskar]

Hello everyone:

I have this S&W .22LR revolver. I was told it is a K-22 Masterpiece, manufactured around 1936.
Would anyone, please, tell if this is right.
SN: K 1297XX and it is a 5 Screw, adjustable rear sight. 6" barrel.

Thanks a lot!

K

 

[JayCeeNC]

I can't give you an exact time frame, but that is a post-WWII gun.
It's a 5-screw model. One screw is hidden by the top of the right side grip, and it should have a screw in front of the trigger guard.

 

[Engine49guy]

Probably closer to 1950-51.....
Hard to tell from your pics but it should have been a satin blue finish not bright blue,
Also those "PC" tapered bottom grips came off another gun.

 

[Kaweskar]

I can't give you an exact time frame, but that is a post-WWII gun.
It's a 5-screw model. One screw is hidden by the top of the right side grip, and it should have a screw in front of the trigger guard.

You are correct! Thanks a lot.

 

[Kaweskar]

Probably closer to 1950-51.....
Hard to tell from your pics but it should have been a satin blue finish not bright blue,
Also those "PC" tapered bottom grips came off another gun.

Yes, the grips are not original. The gun came with modern target grips. Regarding blueing, don't quite understand what you mean. I never thought this to be an antique, just wanted to check YOM. I paid very little money for it and still shoots better than me.

Thanks a lot for your comments!!!

K

 

[JP@AK]

I believe I would bet money on 1951.
Good find! Every 5 screw K-22 I have owned or shot has been very accurate.

 

[Engine49guy]

It will make a great shooter !

Any K or L frame square butt grip will fit your K-22 masterpiece for the range.
I have long fingers and prefer the larger target grips.
My comment on the blueing referred to the fact that almost all K-22's after WWII up to around 1954 were a duller satin blue (almost all)
They could be ordered in bright blue (high polish) which became standard around 1954-55.

 

[g8rb8]

You were correctly advised your revolver is properly referred to as a K-22 Masterpiece. Some refer to is as a Pre-Model 17. I will concur with others your revolver dates to about 1951. In 1957 S&W changed from named revolvers to model numbers and the K-22 Masterpiece became the Model 17.

I will concur with your comment, "shoots better than me." Most of us suffer the same fate with a K-22 Masterpiece or, it's more modern sibling, the Model 17.

The rounded-bottom, diamond-centered stocks/grips on your revolver are desirable and are referred to as PC (Plain Clothes) Magna stocks and were made about 1953-1967 and would NOT have been used for a K-22 Masterpiece but would have been used most typically on a fixed-sight, service-type revolver such as a Model 10 or Model 13. The original or proper stocks/grips for your revolver would be referred to as Magna stocks and would look about like the stocks currently on your revolver except they would be squared off on the bottom.

Based upon your pictures I cannot comment on the bluing with enough certainty so no comment at this point. Regardless you have a nice revolver. Congratulations.

 

[Kaweskar]

Thanks a lot for your comments everyone!
I think I got all I wanted to know and a bit more. Appreciate it!

Cheers

K

 

[weissenfluh77]

Heavy Frame Target

I have what I thought was a 5 screw K22 but because of the serial number I think it may be a HFT. Serial number 3911xx. It is in beautiful shape and has the target rear sight, but it doesn't have that oversized grip I see on other HFT's. there is no model number on the gun and the serial number is on the front strap of the grip. Can anyone tell me what I have and when it was made?

 

[DWalt]

K 1297XX

Closest SN on my list is K1239xx, it shipped in 10/1951
K104,048 – K136,690...1951 (manufacture)

The PC Magna grips are not original, and should have another SN on the back side of the right panel. It most probably came from the factory with similar (but not the same type of) Magna grips. Even though factory target grips were available at the time, sharp shoulder Magna grips were the norm in the early days.

 

[Kaweskar]

K 1297XX

Closest SN on my list is K1239xx, it shipped in 10/1951
K104,048 – K136,690...1951 (manufacture)

The PC Magna grips are not original, and should have another SN on the back side of the right panel. It most probably came from the factory with similar (but not the same type of) Magna grips. Even though factory target grips were available at the time, sharp shoulder Magna grips were the norm in the early days.

Excellent, thanks!

So 1951 it is! 10 years older than me!