K-22 or not?

[Gary Rumsey]

I'm in the process of buying a S&W K-22 (?). The serial number is K402438 and has Model 17 stamped on the crane. The seller says it's a K-22 but I've read on the form that a true K-22 has to be made prior to 1959 and the gun in question was made in 1960 (I think). So, is this gun a "K-22" or not? Thanks for your help.

 

[410bore]

its still a K-22, just not a pre model marked "k-22" the Model 17 is still the K-22 Masterpeice...

 

[JP@AK]

Hello
410bore gave you the right answer.
I only want to add: Welcome to the Forum!

And buy that K-22. You'll be happy with it!

Jack

 

[Gary Rumsey]

Thanks for the help. Gary

 

[Hondo44]

Gary,
Welcome to the forum. If it is only stamped Mod 17 it was made after c. 1958 when they were first stamped w/the model # and before c. 1959-60 when they became the Mod 17-1 due to the change of the extractor rod from right to left hand thread. So there was a very short window when the pure model 17 was made.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

If it is stamped Mod 17 under the cylinder crane, it is a Model 17. This is just semantics, but if it says it is a Model 17, that's what it is. The K-22 was made from 1931 until 1957. In 1957 S&W changed over all of their nomenclature to model numbers, and the K-22 became the Model 17. Mechanically, the first Model 17s were no different than the late K-22s, but they did go by a different name. As time went on, there were more subtle changes in the design.

Really no different than those dealers who mislabel a M&P as a Model 10 and vice versa.

 

[Göring's S&W]

I agree, and while its a K frame and 22, its actually a model 17, with K-22 more so referring to the pre model marked guns, as Hondo pointed out. In general, a model 17 brings less than a K-22, so its important to get what you pay for.

 

[Sprefix]

Welcome to the forum and WE LIKE PICTURES!!! You'll love your K22......

 

[JP@AK]

This is just semantics, but if it says it is a Model 17, that's what it is. The K-22 was made from 1931 until 1957. In 1957 S&W changed over all of their nomenclature to model numbers, and the K-22 became the Model 17.

I can't agree, since S&W did not agree. The paperwork that came with the gun said, at the top, "K-22 Masterpiece Revolver" and below that, "Model No. 17" This continued at least through the 1970s. The same thing with the Model 14. It said, on the included papers, "K-38 Masterpiece Revolver" and below it, "Model No. 14." I have one in front of me right now that I just took out of the box of a 14-4 that shipped in July, 1980. I have several others from 1957 up to that time. They are all the same.
Jack