K-22 Outdoorsman

[DARE]

K-22 Outdoorsman with butt serial number 661640 shipped April 6, 1937 to Cullum & Boren Company, Dallas, Texas. 6-inch barrel, adjustable rear sights, blue finish, Stainless Steel Bead front sight and checked walnut square stocks with silver medallions. 2 screw rear sight and service stocks. Stocks number to the gun.
The invoice page had two invoices listed. The other invoice was:
Cook, Newton & Smith, Inc.
New Haven, Connecticut
1 K-22 Target Revolver B 6" with Call gold bead sight
For Hamden Police
Think the Call Gold Bead was standard in 1931.
Apparently it was still available in 1937.
SCSW 4th says a 1920-1945 gun should have 95% original finish to grade Excellent. This looks like a 95% gun to me.

 

[sophie]

That's a nice one for sure. It sure doesn't look like it was shot very much. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SS336]

Wow, that's beautiful.

 

[larryofcc]

Recently traded into one. A pile of cash and a beautiful Winchester M52-B heavy bbl. Got the revolver, papers, numbered box, and factory letter. As usual, no tools. # 662400, shipped 6-11-1937. Real close to mint. Big Larry

 

[DARE]

Mine's not mint and no box, but not too bad. Here is the other side.

 

[dobegrant]

Congratulations that is very nice

 

[sweetwilly45]

Well done Dave

 

[RKmesa]

Congratulations David!!! The K-22 Outdoorsman's Revolver is one of my very favorite guns... of all time.

Thanks for sharing that beauty!!!

Here is 661107. It shipped March 1937...





... and like yours, it shipped with a two-screw rear sight and a call "brilliant" stainless bead front sight.







They really are beautiful guns.

 

[larryofcc]

3 nice Outdoorsmans. Probably not 20 rds. fired in all 3. Big Larry

 

[Retired W4]

I guess I've been leading a somewhat sheltered life but that's the first I've heard of a stainless steel bead sight. I guess I have to get out more.

 

[boykinlp]

Here is my K22 Outdoorsman. The factory letter says "We have researched your Smith & Wesson K-22 Outdoorsman or K-22 First Model, First Production Group, caliber .22 Long Rifle, in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number 632157, was shipped from our factory on January 17, 1931, and delivered to Folsom Arms Co., New York City. NY. The records indicate that thus firearm was shipped with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips. This shipment was for five units of this model and they were billed at $22.13 each. This revolver has been modified by the addition of a King super ramp and sight."

Since the first K-22 Outdoorsman was presented on January 3, 1931 and this one was shipped on January 17, 1931, it would have to be a very early gun. One thing that I wish I could find is the serial numbers of the other 4 guns in this shipment. Since mine is early, I figure the others are very close in number. The original owner, who lived in Newark, NJ, sent an order to the factory to have a pair of magna grips sent to him. The service grips on this gun are in superb shape. I wish I could have also gotten the magna grips when I bought the gun. They are probably in the original box, with the tools, in a drawer or top of a closet somewhere. Thanks for viewing.
Larry

 

[DARE]

Wow! Three outstanding guns. Much appreciate y'all sharing those fine examples.
Was the Call Brilliant stainless steel bead the first use of stainless by S&W?

 

[Rodan]

Some beautiful Outdoorsmen here! Mine is just a nice condition shooter, but the Outdoorsmen (both .22 and .38/44) were some of the nicest revolvers Smith ever made, IMHO.

I have not lettered mine, but by s/n it shipped ~1938. It has the stainless bead front sight.

 

[Valmet]

Lots of eye candy in this thread. I love my 1968 Model 17 but I've always wanted a pre-war Outdoorsman.

 

[ruger 22]

What classic beauty!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Truckman]

Lots of eye candy in this thread. I love my 1968 Model 17 but I've always wanted a pre-war Outdoorsman.

I recently and reluctantly parted company with this all matching numbered old timer, shipped April Fools Day 1932...I hated to do it since it leaves me with only one, dated 7 years later...But this guy saw it in my display, and since he's building a deuce coupe he just had to have it because of the matching ship date, 1932...I didn't want to but soon the pile of C-notes got embarrassingly high, and I thought if ever a gun was going to have a happy caretaker, this was the one...

So I sadly sent it on its way, and as I promised, I emailed him all the pics I had of it, for which he was thankful......Ben

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

I have no. 639370, not far from Truckman's lettered example. I was puzzled by the plain black patridge sight until I looked closer with some magnification and found a layer of black paint obscuring the stainless bead. The diamond magnas I found in an antique shop for $30 and installed, the original numbered stocks are mint and safely tucked away. I always marvel at the level of polish found on pre-war Smiths. Blued perfection.

 

[Dino44]

I saw this one today. All numbers match, including stocks. Mechanics appeared to be good. Not bank vault tight, but I think reasonable, for its age. The bluing is pretty much all there, worst loss is on the ejector rod. I'm sure the revolver would clean up very nicely. The front sight has a gold bead. Serial number is 672926. Vendor priced at $1595. Is that reasonable, high or low for this model and vintage?

 

[bdGreen]

Early gold bead.

enjoy,

bdGreen