K-22 Outdoorsman Appreciation and Photo Thread

[hkcavalier]

Not nearly in the same class as some on here re: condition but I like mine.

Shipped September 1931. Marble front sight.

 

[parolebear]

Bought this one today

I bought this K-22 (1953) today at a local pawn shop. It is a shooter but my shooter. So excited!!!!! I realize compared to the super nice guns posted on here it is not much but it will be in the safe until my family sells them when I die. Got it and a 29-2 (8 3/4), both shooters for $1050.

 

[bdGreen]

Back on Track

Here is one of mine.

enjoy,
bdGreen

 

[hkcavalier]

Are those the Fitz walnut target stocks?

 

[bdGreen]

I believe they are Roper's. Haven't had them off in a while.

bdGreen

 

[Cyrano]

Here's one that shipped in July of 1933.

OOOOHHHHHH. I was born in July 1933.

 

[codenamedave]

Bringing back a Notable Thread

Got my K-22 Outdoorsman in a multi-gun purchase, from the granddaughter of the original owner. She said she remembered him carrying it in a shoulder holster when they lived in Texas. I'm proclaiming that it has "honest wear", it's just that the previous owner was r e a l l y honest.

Serial number is 636132, with a "B" prefix on the bottom of the barrel. Judging from other K-22s in this thread, it might be first-year production.

Useless numbers that I think are interesting anyway:

Old style rear sight:

As with my Victory Model, the front sight on this piece has been modified, although somewhat lacking the artfulness of the Victory modification.

Of course you can't see it in the photos, but on the port side it says "MARBLE", and on the starboard side it says "SHE[Dent]", was SHEARD at one point I imagine. Did they have vice-grips and meth in the '30's? Perhaps it was shoeing impedimenta and moonshine.

It came with these stocks:

Astute collectors will be able to put an NLT date on the guns these stocks were designed for, from looking at this pic:

The Pair:

 

[Onchu]

Well this thread has certainly been very informative for a novice like me.

I have a K-22, SN 645197. It also has a B stamped in front of the number underneath the barrel. So I'm GUESSING it is a fairly early gun. 1931-32.

It is not in nearly as good shape as the guns in this thread as it has had a very rough life. I bought it probably 35 years ago at a garage sale for 25.00 and have used it on and off over the years as a field gun. It is a Very made gun and still as as accurate as anything I have ever owned.

To Codenamedave... Mine has the same "pointer" grips that yours did. It made me happy to see another set of these. Mine are white, and chipped.

Lots of great info here. Lots to learn.

Best,

 

[younggun22]

Well here is my small contribution. Humpback hammer and "u notch" rear sight make this gun slightly unique. The box numbers to the gun and is in pretty good condition and contains some of the original paperwork.

Still haven't shot it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[codenamedave]

To Codenamedave... Mine has the same "pointer" grips that yours did. It made me happy to see another set of these. Mine are white, and chipped.

I did some looking around when I first got the K-22, and found a few mentions of these stocks out there. There were even some for sale on GB, pretty cheap, so evidently they're not collectible.

Also found this somewhere I can't remember, might've been this forum. If the person who put it up wants me to lose it, I will.

I love the "Ivory grips 50 cents additional"; geez, ya think I'm made of money? San Carlos is a few cities south of SF, about 25 miles away. Back then (besides having multiple flourishing gun stores in SF), the areas south of The City were mainly outlying industrial areas, not that making these stocks would take up a lot of room. Interesting that mine have the "Full corrugated thumb rest" supposedly indicated by an asterisk in the model number, which is absent in the ad. The ad also states that the 303 model is the one for K-22s.

Also, for the NLT trivia:

They're molded to accommodate a round-head rear sideplate screw as opposed to the later flat-head style. I had to relieve that spot on the replacements.

Well here is my small contribution. Humpback hammer and "u notch" rear sight make this gun slightly unique. The box numbers to the gun and is in pretty good condition and contains some of the original paperwork.

Still haven't shot it.

Looks too nice to shoot! I'm glad that neither of my old Smiths have much collector worth, otherwise I would be afraid to shoot them. Heck a lot of the K-22 OD's in this thread I'd be afraid to handle, lest I accidentally scratch them or something and they lose half their value.

 

[Waveski]

Just came upon this fine old thread. My modest offering: An early Outdoorsman with serial # starting 632 ; gold front sight.

I wanted a K22 ; chose this one because of first year of production , (1931 , if I remember correctly) , the gold dot (even had it checked by a local jeweler) , and --- I could afford it!

Excellent , classy shooter.

 

[hkcavalier]

Updated pic of mine with the Fitz grips:

 

[bruce5781]

I had one of my favorites out today for a little plinking.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[ColtCool]

I love this thread !!
Got my juices flowing a bit this afternoon after taking a look so broke out a few for some pics.
As you can tell, I'm very appreciative of the K22

Not sure if pics attached correctly but hopefully you can get the idea.

 

[DCWilson]

I love this thread !!
Got my juices flowing a bit this afternoon after taking a look so broke out a few for some pics.
As you can tell, I'm very appreciative of the K22

That image goes a long way in explaining why we don't see as many K-22 ODs at auctions as we used to.

A great collection of both the revolvers and the boxes they came in. Congratulations!

 

[RKmesa]

I love this thread !!
Got my juices flowing a bit this afternoon after taking a look so broke out a few for some pics.
As you can tell, I'm very appreciative of the K22

Welcome to the posting side of the forum! Talk about a splash with your second post (and a boxed straightline as an avatar...)!!! What a great herd of K-22s. I see at least two HBH's, at least one Masterpiece, a couple of sets of beautiful prewar magnas and one nickel OD. Can I assume that it is an aftermarket nickel - I'm not sure that I have ever seen a factory nickel K-22 Outdoorsman?

Thanks for sharing (we need to see more of your collection...please),

 

[Waveski]

Updated pic of mine with the Fitz grips:

Ah , Fitz Grips. Not the most stylish , but VERY functional.

 

[ColtCool]

David & Richard --- Appreciate the feedback and you taking the time to look over the OD collection. Very observant to notice the 22/40 and the humpbacks.

Yes, I had the nickel gun done at Ford's --- it was solid gun but just had been stored very poorly by a previous owner. No real pitting or rust just the bluing was flaking throughout. The grips are very nice/crisp and numbers matched so I thought would be a good candidate for something unique.

This pic doesn't really do it justice (thanks to my camera skills) as the nickel shows no polish blemishes and the roll marks are still very strong. They did a great job

 

[Waveski]

They did a great job." Wow - they sure did!

 

[Onchu]

To Codenamedave:

Thanks so much for taking the time to post that information on those grips.

Really informative... I'm going to leave mine just as it is. I gave it a good scubbing and oiled her up. Neat old gun. Ugly, but very comfortable grips. LOL.

Again, I genuinely appreciate your response.

Bets Regards,

 

[Onchu]

Here are (hopefully) photos of my 25.00 garage sale K-22. (35 years ago..)

I guess whoever bought it was made of money, cause they opted for the simulated ivory "Pointer" grips... LOL

After reading this thread, I feel bad for treating the little guy with not as much care as I should over the years.

Thanks for all the help... LOTS to learn.

 

[codenamedave]

Here are (hopefully) photos of my 25.00 garage sale K-22. (35 years ago..)

I guess whoever bought it was made of money, cause they opted for the simulated ivory "Pointer" grips... LOL

After reading this thread, I feel bad for treating the little guy with not as much care as I should over the years.

Thanks for all the help... LOTS to learn.

If Sledge Hammer had a target .22...


It's in better shape than mine, I think I've got the title of most beat K-22 OD on this thread. Looking at your earlier post, it looks like there might be some confusion as to the "B" prefix on the barrel serial number: It means the gun was produced with a blue finish, it doesn't indicate anything about the production date.

Based on my extensive knowledge gained from reading this thread, yours likely shipped in '33. I'm guessing it has a two screw rear sight?

Are your stocks labeled 404 like mine? Interesting that they're chipped right whee the rear sideplate screw is. Kinda wonder how that happened. I cleaned mine up with toothpaste (not Crest, that stuff will remove chrome) and an old toothbrush. I actually thought they looked pretty good, and wanted to keep them in honor of the original owner, but they were too hard to live with. The thumb shelf made it difficult to load, and it was hard just to get aholt of the thing to pick it up.

The U.S. Department of Labor Inflation Calculator sez your purchase price would be the equivalent of $66.48 today, so I'd say you got a deal!

 

[Onchu]

If I understand the thread... Mine has a single screw rear sight, and the front is a gold dot.

The grips are labeled 303, which seems to jive with the sales sheet you posted. I have found them to be one of the most comfortable grips I have ever used.

Mine were REALLY nasty with years of gunk and crud. Fortunately, my other hobby is motorsickles, so I threw them in my commercial ultrasonic cleaner. After about 20 minutes they came out brand spanky new clean. Too bad I can't fix the chip...

It is really just a WELL made gun. The quality of machining and fit of everything is just superb. I can see why they have such a loyal following. (Age has brought me a much greater understanding with regard to how things are made.)

I'm glad I kept it all these years. Always feels good to know when you got a smokin' deal.

If anyone has an unbroken set of these grips that they would like to sell... I'd certainly be interested.

Thanks again for your help.

Enjoying the learning.

Best,

 

[codenamedave]

The plot thickens... post #56 has one with serial 645XXX that elicited this response:

Combat, when you say "two-screw rear sight" do you mean it has both the elevation adjustment screw and the new lock screw at the rear of the assembly? If the answer is yes, I think you now have the lowest known number on a K-22 OD with that style of sight. Would you be willing to share the full serial number with me via PM?

Looks like we can narrow down when the change was made if Combat was willing to give up his serial number.

As for the chip, there are plastic repair options out there, don't know if you want to spring for a kit and the time and trials to get a decent color match. I've blown up & edited your pics, and I can't see any differences between the 303s and the 404s, except for the color of course.

 

[Usmc5811]

I bought my new K22 outdoorsman today. It's got holster wear but no pitting. Locks up tight also. It came with a WhiteX front sight on it also. Oh and serial number is 6460XX. Anyone have dates of manufacturing?

 

[DCWilson]

I bought my new K22 outdoorsman today. It's got holster wear but no pitting. Locks up tight also. It came with a WhiteX front sight on it also. Oh and serial number is 6460XX. Anyone have dates of manufacturing$

The 646xxx K-22 ODs I know about were all shipped in 1934. Since your gun has a zero that puts it low in the 646xxx range, there is an outside chance it might have shipped in late 1933. But that feels unlikely to me.

 

[Gatorbaiter]

1948 K22. Engraved by Frank Hendricks of San Antonio, Texas

 

[Hunter Keith]

K 22 1948

Actually found this on Armslist. Finish challenged, but shoots like a dream!! Lock up is superb. My first and only one.

 

[younggun22]

Ive posted the gun before but I got a new set of stocks that I thought you guys might be interested in seeing

 

[jgrass5]

Absolutely the finest 22LR revolvers ever made by S&W.
Thank you for sharing members.