K-22 New purchase

[vbguns072]

Picked up a K-22 today that was bought by a co-workers Dad. Seems to be in excellent shape with little wear. Gun has been in storage for 15+ years. As this is the first revolver I have purchased can anyone help me out with a date of manufacturer? Serial number is K198XXX, 22LR, 4" barrel, post war adjustable sights, strain screw on grip, 5 (?) screw. I paid $350 including a second pistol, JC Higgins model 88, original box for a K-38 with tools and a Bucheimer holster and
22 ammo belt. Receipt in box shows original purchase of the K-38 (she doesn't know what happened to the gun) on 12/30/53 at the Marine Corps Exchange, Guantanamo Bay Cuba for $55.33.
SOLD Pending funds

 

[Mike McLellan]

You got a mighty fine gun (circa 1953) at a mighty fine price. You could probably double your money if you wanted to, but I'd keep it. What's the J.C. Higgins look like?

 

[DCWilson]

That gun, which is actually called a .22 Combat Masterpiece because of the short barrel and ramp sight, was probably shipped in 1953. It looks to be in excellent condition. That gun by itself and in that shape would ordinarily sell for $500-600, maybe more in some areas as the four inch K-22s are much sought after guns. Given all the other stuff that came along with that gun for the price you quote, you get the deal of the week award.

That configuration became known as the Model 18 after 1957, and collectors often refer to the unmarked predecessor varieties as Pre-18s.

Nice score. Those guns are inherently accurate.

 

[vbguns072]

Photo of JC Higgins Model 88, aluminum frame.

 

[Mike McLellan]

Holy Bat-gun! That Higgins looks pretty darn good from here. I know less than nothing about J.C. Higgins, but I do know that any gun, even an Acme, that is in as good apparent condition as yours, has collector value to the right person. That just make the "Deal of the week" that much sweeter. Nice job.

 

[DWalt]

1953 is about right for that SN. I think the J. C. Higgins revolvers like yours were made by Hi-Standard for Sears. At one time, Sears was a major gun retailer and carried a large stock of rifles, shotguns, and handguns, many under the J. C. Higgins and Ted Williams names. The major manufacturers actually made guns for Sears in later years, but in the early days Sears had some captive manufacturers. I have read that J. C. Higgins had been some top Sears executive, and really wasn't much of an outdoorsman or shooter. Yet, many types of sporting goods sold by Sears carried his name. Ted Williams was an avid hunter when he wasn't flying jets or playing baseball. And you did get a great price. That doesn't happen much to me.

 

[lscocoa]

A couple months ago , there was an article in one of the gun mags about the J.C.Higgins . I don't have it anymore but if my memory is correct Hi-Standard marketed their camp gun first as the m-88 before coming out under their own name .

 

[DWalt]

After the Kennedy assassination, Sears pulled completely out of the business of selling guns and ammunition. I remember in 1967 or 1968 the local Sears store in Maryland where I lived then had a big sale on everything, marked down to about half-price to get rid of it. I bought up all the .22 and 12 gauge shotshells they had left in stock by the time I got there. I think all the guns were gone by then. I got maybe a half-dozen bricks of .22s and several dozen boxes of shells. I still have some of them.

 

[Retired W4]

$500-$600? I would give my first born but he'd give me a short burst from his 30mm Avenger, essentially squashing the deal, and vaporizing his dad. Seriously though, that package would attract interest from far and wide. Very nice.

 

[lowhog]

I have been looking for a nice k-22 combat masterpiece like that.I wish I could find one for the price range Dave quoted.

 

[b.guggenmos]

Very nice. You really scored on this deal. Congrats. Brian

 

[rboineau]

Heck, you can get a decent chunk of your money back just by selling that 38 box here on the Forum

 

[Cooter Brown]

The 22 Combat Masterpiece is one of Smith and Wesson's best ideas. Just a great gun!

I'd be somewhat tempted to letter that one, in case it went to Gitmo as well. That'd be pretty cool.

With the great deal you got on it the $50 for the letter shouldn't hurt too much!