doublesharp
Member
Good job! I've always heard the 4 screw non model marked k22 was one of the hardest to find. That one is sure a beauty.
K-22 - Pre Model 17 ??
- Thread starter Candyman
- Start date
OK, now I see what everyone means by the 5 screw version. That screw just below the rear sights. Nice looking wheel gun my friend
The members in this place are extraordinarily knowledgeable, and I am rapidly becoming addicted to this site. I have always loved S&W revolvers but never took on the learning or history aspect of it.
I think I want to try and start collecting these beautiful pieces of art (they are truly art, just made of steel & wood). How can I get that Catalogue that everyone refers too? I've contacted all my local bookstores to no avail. Do I search Amazon or something?
Green Frog
Member
Candyman,
First let me congratulate you again on your buy. I don't hate you for getting it at that price... envy maybe, but don't hate. (Don't worry, frogs are supposed to be green!
)
As for ammo, that gun will shoot any factory 22 LR ever made and do it safely. On the other hand, it will probably have a decided preference for certain ammos, not always the cheapest, but then again not always the most expensive. There are those who would encourage you to limit yourself to "standard velocity" and "target" ammo, but that same frame was used for 38 specials, and you have a lot more steel around each hole in cylinder and barrel, so I personally wouldn't worry about it. I've been very pleased with the bulk packed Federal Auto Match that is sort of between standard velocity and high velocity. It has plain waxed lead bullets so you could never wear out your barrel with them. Have fun!
Froggie
First let me congratulate you again on your buy. I don't hate you for getting it at that price... envy maybe, but don't hate. (Don't worry, frogs are supposed to be green!
)As for ammo, that gun will shoot any factory 22 LR ever made and do it safely. On the other hand, it will probably have a decided preference for certain ammos, not always the cheapest, but then again not always the most expensive. There are those who would encourage you to limit yourself to "standard velocity" and "target" ammo, but that same frame was used for 38 specials, and you have a lot more steel around each hole in cylinder and barrel, so I personally wouldn't worry about it. I've been very pleased with the bulk packed Federal Auto Match that is sort of between standard velocity and high velocity. It has plain waxed lead bullets so you could never wear out your barrel with them. Have fun!
Froggie
Candyman, you really scored on that revolver! I haven't seen a four screw K-22 that nice. Should be a great shooter. Any standard or high velocity .22LR ammo is safe, just avoid the hyper-velocity stuff like Stingers. CCI Standard Velocity is a good place to start.
As for the SC of S&W - Amazon is the most likely place to find one these days. Warning-that book WILL help keep your wallet drained. Learning more about all the great S&W models leads to repeated adoptions into your family!
As for the SC of S&W - Amazon is the most likely place to find one these days. Warning-that book WILL help keep your wallet drained. Learning more about all the great S&W models leads to repeated adoptions into your family!
You should also find the same number stamped on the rear of the cylinder and inside one of the grip panels. Just means that the gun has all the original parts from the factory.
I too have a 4 screw K-22 Masterpiece circa 1956 with the transitional features. It's one of my favorites! Enjoy.
Hello Candyman
I agree with Forum Poster David Wilson on this. Your gun is indeed a Pre-17 Four screw Variation. I have one in the safe just like it, but mine has the Earlier style Fish Hook up-swept style Speed Hammer on it, where as your's has a semi Target style later version hammer. Mine has serial number K-26831X & it was shipped out of the Factory in July 1956 to The Shapleigh Hardware Company in St. Louis, MO. as shown on the bottom of the box as they evidently logged the S&W's in as they showed up there from the factory, and dated the boxes that they inventoried. The Shapleigh hardware company was a Huge S&W Wholesale stocking dealer back then, & Oddly enough, This one sat 21 Months on their shelf before it sold by evidence of the Original sales reciept shown with it. The Four screw variation Pre Model stamped 17's "Are Very, very Scarse" compared to other the other early variation's of the model 17, and a Lot tougher to find than any the other Variations. We Do know that They ceased using the upper side plate screw sometime in the late 1955 time span and started stamping the Model Number 17's in 1957 as MOD. 17 in the crane area, therefore a Pre-Model stamped 17 in Four screw configuration was only seen about a Year or less of life span. Here is mine it came out of the Astute David Carroll collection. It came to me Unfired with everything it left the factory with in July 1956 as shown below. If you Pull The Magna stock's they should have the guns serial number stamped into the inside of the right grip panel. To do so, a word of caution on this Procedure first here as these hand fitted stocks tend to fit Very tightly and to avoid any damage to them, Never attempt to Pry them off the frame of the Gun simply loosen the grip attachment screw and push off the opposite grip Panel by applying pressure to the grip screw head with a good fitting high quality screwdriver. If it were me, I would Hang Onto that Very Hard to find Variation Pre-17 K-22 as I feel someday the demand will be as strong for these Pre-17's in the Four screw form as it is for other low production, short window span K-22's. Here is everything your Pre-17 would have come with, and I wish mine only cost me what you paid for yours but I have No Regret's as mine is new in Box and complete, and will remain that way as I have Plenty of other K-22's to enjoy without de-flowering this one's Virginity....
Regards, Hammerdown
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CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I'll have to take some pictures on my K22 serial # 268xxx. Same if not better condition than Candyman's. Came with target hammer and trigger but not the original grips. Has a nice pair of Herret shooting stars on it though. Got it about 2 years ago at the Kenner show.
Got $100 in it.
Got $100 in it.
I'll have to take some pictures on my K22 serial # 268xxx. Same if not better condition than Candyman's. Came with target hammer and trigger but not the original grips. Has a nice pair of Herret shooting stars on it though. Got it about 2 years ago at the Kenner show.
Got $100 in it.
Hello CajunLawyer
I can't help but to think your gun may have come from the Likes of Troy Landry of the famous Television sit com Named Swamp People. I can almost here him saying Shoot Elizabeth... Shoot....Don't let that Gator Get away....
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pre mdl 17 k 22
i was recently blessed w/a pre model# k22. ser#16847.finish is dull no rust or pits and it shoots like a rifle. any idea as to year of manufacture?
i was recently blessed w/a pre model# k22. ser#16847.finish is dull no rust or pits and it shoots like a rifle. any idea as to year of manufacture?
Hi and welcome Mark
Is there a K in front of that number?
You would be best served by starting your own thread.
I'm not great with the numbers but close would be late 1947 early 48
again if there is a K in front of that number
congratulations on the gun BTW
Is there a K in front of that number?
You would be best served by starting your own thread.
I'm not great with the numbers but close would be late 1947 early 48
again if there is a K in front of that number
congratulations on the gun BTW
Mark
Assuming the serial number is actually K16847, your K-22 dates to 1947.
Assuming the serial number is actually K16847, your K-22 dates to 1947.
model70hunter
Member
I'll have to take some pictures on my K22 serial # 268xxx. Same if not better condition than Candyman's. Came with target hammer and trigger but not the original grips. Has a nice pair of Herret shooting stars on it though. Got it about 2 years ago at the Kenner show.
Got $100 in it.
$100 bucks? You'd better catch up on the payments.
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to OP- Shoot, clean, shoot again. This can be repeated for the next couple generations. I have a .22 Outdoorsman originally purchased by my great-grandfather, thousands of rounds down the pipe. Finally had to put a new mainspring in it a few years ago $12 after 70 years is ok in my book.
brokenprism
US Veteran
Please delete
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