K-22 one liner- wrong barrel?

[elinvar23]

Hello all
here are some pic's of my one-line K-22 Ser # K 3073- from this ser # one would expect a large ejector knob - I have a one line with a higher ser # that has a large knob.
Another bit of info is the barrel is has no Ser# on the flat- this leads me to believe that the barrel has been replace at some point- Also it appears the hammer is not period either- The grips are also mismatched-
So my question is- Has the barrel been replaced? There are no S&W stamps anywhere on the frame etc to indicate a rework- but the barrel should be numbered to the gun.
I think I have a cobbled together K-22- what do you all think?

Terry Jones

 

[DCWilson]

I think "cobbled together" is probably too strong a phrase, but I do believe the gun is no longer in its original configuration. The serial number points to 1947, but the target hammer was not available until about three years later. The unnumbered barrel is suspicious, and I agree it is probably a replacement. Since the new barrel did not have a knob cut-out, the ejector rod was swapped out at the time a new barrel was installed. Misnumbered stocks might also point to a refitted gun, but as you know off-number stocks indicate nothing by themselves; lots of guns from this era have them.

Such work did not need to be done by S&W; a local gunsmith, or even a handy owner, could have ordered new parts and installed them.

Good looking gun.

 

[Hondo44]

What David said.

The straight ejector knob is not unusual on 'one line' K22s. My son has an all matching original K22 one liner with the straight knob and I've seen plenty of others. It's quite common to find the pre war large knob on '4 line' I, K and N frames of later vintage as well. There just isn't any rhyme or reason as to when they were used on post war transition guns and they are commonly found out of serial # chronology.

Your gun went back to the factory for something but probably not the barrel change. The factory would most typically stamp it to match the guns serial number. What is the rework date? Most likely it's after 1950 and could represent a factory hammer change. Is there also a 'star' on the butt ahead of the K & serial #?

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Based on a thread under Classifieds there is a 1947 K-22 one liner for sale with the small knob. There is a star stamped between the K and the four digit serial number. It would be interesting to see if this one has the star stamp as well.

 

[elinvar23]

No star stamp or rework date anywhere to be found- I agree- re-barreled at some point in life- still looks great though.
Thanks for the imput
tj

 

[Engine49guy]

Of course with S&W nothing is absolute ,
Perhaps your gun was an early factory example built to visualize what was to come next in the K22 evolution?

Without any documentation of this and in the absence of a factory rework star it leads me to believe it was preobably rebarreled outside of the factory,

While we may never really know it definately is a fine looking K22.

Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Hondo44]

No star stamp or rework date anywhere to be found- I agree- re-barreled at some point in life- still looks great though.
Thanks for the imput
tj

I'm sorry, I mis-read your "no S&W stamps anywhere on the frame etc to indicate a rework-" as except to indicate a rework. I do that more and more these days, unfortunately.
I take itthat there are the usual assembly numbers and or letters in the yoke though, right?

I still think you have a fine looking gun. I'm sure it's a good shooter, have you shot it? The newer hammer is a great improvement IMO for a shooter. It looks like the original finish. A refinished gun would be a far greater detraction than a new barrel and hammer, again IMO.

 

[elinvar23]

I have not shot this one yet- It does have the usual assembly numbers in the yoke. factory finish too. I wish it had the original hammer.
All in all it's a nice gun for the collection.
Terry Jones

 

[JSR III]

Still a very nice looking one line K-22. Lets hope that when we all get into our 70's and 80's we still have all of our original parts, even if our guns don't.

 

[jrd1976]

Maybe you should get a factory letter on this one.

It should document original ship date and configuration, as well as any repairs.

 

[hsguy]

Maybe you should get a factory letter on this one.

It should document original ship date and configuration, as well as any repairs.

A factory letter will confirm the original configuration but unfortunately does not document any later factory repairs.

 

[beagleye]

Cobbled?

If it was "cobbled" it looks to have been a pretty slick cobbler that did that cobbling. Nice looking gun.