K-22: Proper Name, Age, and Value?

[Skyhunter]

As part of his inheritance from his grandfather, my son-in-law received this S&W .22 LR revolver. He would like to know its approximate age, correct name (K-22 or Outdoorsman or ??), and the best guesstimate as to $$ value. He has no plans to sell it as it was one of grandfather's favorites.
I don't think the grips are correct, but they are in good shape and compliment the gun. The revolver locks up tight, but I can't comment on its accuracy as we haven't fired it yet. The serial number is K 54789.
Thanks for any help.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[H Richard]

That S/N would have been from about 1963, which would be a Model 17, most probably a Mod 17-2. I think the target grips have been added, it should have originally had magna grips. This is a nice, desirable target model, and would probably be in the $600 to $800 value range.

It is hard to beat a Mod 17 for all around target and pleasure plinking. Everyone should own a Mod 17.

 

[weatherby]

I have to disagree with my friend above.
It is a k 22 masterpiece from 1949.

I can tell you how it shoots....like a masterpiece.

The grips are much later likely from the 80's

 

[laytonj1]

It’s a K-22 Masterpiece. Serial number dates it to 1948. The grips are not original. Current prices for an early K-22 in my area would be an easy $700 plus.

Jim

Per the SCSW, serial numbers ran from K18732 to K73121 in 1948.

 

[JP@AK]

As others have said, its proper name is K-22 Masterpiece and it is the five screw variation, which only lasted until 1956.

H Richard saw six digits when there are only five, which would be why he placed it later. K54789 almost certainly indicates shipment in 1948. I show some in that serial range that shipped in the autumn of 1948. Numbers ran as high as K11800 on K-22 Masterpiece revolvers shipping in 1947. Of course, one can ship later. Only a letter can tell you for certain.

The target stocks lack the diamond and have the speedloader cut, so they are no earlier than about 1978.

It is a nice example of an early K-22 and would probably sell for north of $700.

 

[DWalt]

Sometime you will see these referred to as a K-22 Target Masterpiece. However, that is incorrect, as S&W never put that “Target” in the name. The K-22 Masterpiece was at one time very popular among competitive target shooters, but not so today. At that time, the correct original grips would have been the Magna style, specifically what is often unofficially called the “sharp shoulder” Magna. There have been several different Magna variations over the years. The Target grips on it are from much later. There was an S&W .22 Outdoorsman revolver, but it was made prior to WWII. In the late 1950s, that same revolver became the Model 17.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Here’s mine with original Grips.
I call mine a Magnificent Revolver.
The Target Trigger and Hammer were installed when I got it ‘tuned.’
SN K63xxx.

 

[glowe]

Lots of different dates??? Do not know why, since there is a specific manufacture date list available for the Masterpiece line. Your gun was manufactured in 1948, could have been sold later, but no later than very early 1949. The list was originally done by Roy Jinks and is stated to be manufacture dates for K numbered guns. The 1948 dates are listed as K18,732 to 73,121. The list can be found reprinted in SCSW4. It is thought that these serial numbers came from manufacturing logs that were available for some models after WWII. I have 44862 shipped in October 1948 and 61,889 shipped in December 1948.

 

[JP@AK]

Gary

Thanks. I was on my first cup of coffee this morning when I made my post. I made the opposite mistake from H Richard. He saw six instead of five and I looked four digits instead of five in my records.

K49658 (a K-38) shipped in October, 1948.
K56225 (a K-22) shipped in November, 1948.
K57760 (also a K-22) shipped in December, 1948.

Those are in the same serial range as the OP's K-22, so 1948 is most likely correct. I will go back and fix my previous post.

 

[Skyhunter]

WOW!
I say again - WOW!
Thans for the details and detailed information regarding my SIL's K-22 Masterpiece. The response, information, and details are much appreciated.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[Skyhunter]

That S/N would have been from about 1963, which would be a Model 17, most probably a Mod 17-2. I think the target grips have been added, it should have originally had magna grips. This is a nice, desirable target model, and would probably be in the $600 to $800 value range.

It is hard to beat a Mod 17 for all around target and pleasure plinking. Everyone should own a Mod 17.

I've had a Mod 17-4 since "around" 1984 and I concur completely as to the joy of plinking or target shooting or hunting with a Mod 17 of any vintage! I used to hunt cottontails for the table with mine when I lived in S.Texas. It never let me down as long as I did my part!
I'm currently searching for a Mod 18, but am somewhat amazed by the prices north of $1,100.00! I have seen a pretty a nice one for just shy of $800. That one may have to relocate to me! LOL!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[bdGreen]

Sometime you will see these referred to as a K-22 Target Masterpiece. However, that is incorrect, as S&W never put that “Target” in the name. The K-22 Masterpiece was at one time very popular among competitive target shooters, but not so today. At that time, the correct original grips would have been the Magna style, specifically what is often unofficially called the “sharp shoulder” Magna. There have been several different Magna variations over the years. The Target grips on it are from much later. There was an S&W .22 Outdoorsman revolver, but it was made prior to WWII. In the late 1950s, that same revolver became the Model 17.

No.
The next step was the 1st Model Masterpiece, K22 2nd Model, or, the K22/40. Call it what you like.
The 2nd Model Masterpiece was only made in 1940.

Then came the K22, 3rd Model in 1946 of which only three were known to actually ship in 1946.

Then the flood gates opened.

Years later the Model 17 was introduced.

bdGreen

 

[DWalt]

No.
The next step was the 1st Model Masterpiece, K22 2nd Model, or, the K22/40. Call it what you like.
The 2nd Model Masterpiece was only made in 1940.

Then came the K22, 3rd Model in 1946 of which only three were known to actually ship in 1946.

Then the flood gates opened.

Years later the Model 17 was introduced.

bdGreen

Hmm- you don’t say. Scarce, Early Smith & Wesson K-22 Outdoorsman - 1st Model | Legacy Collectibles
Fun Firearm Friday — Collectible 1938 Smith & Wesson K-22 ‘Outdoorsman’ | R. Doug Wicker — Author

 

[bdGreen]

Hmm- you don’t say. Scarce, Early Smith & Wesson K-22 Outdoorsman - 1st Model | Legacy Collectibles
Fun Firearm Friday — Collectible 1938 Smith & Wesson K-22 ‘Outdoorsman’ | R. Doug Wicker — Author

So, what's your point?

bdGreen

 

[DWalt]

So, what's your point?

bdGreen

My point is that there was a pre-war Outdoorsman and the OPs K-22 later became the Model 17. Perhaps you did not consider that.

 

[bdGreen]

My point is that there was a pre-war Outdoorsman and the OPs K-22 later became the Model 17. Perhaps you did not consider that.

Sure I considered that.

Your statement that the K22 Outdoorsman didn't define the fact that there were no more Outdoorsman's and they became the Masterpiece of which the OP's morphed into the later Model 17.

That simple.

bdGreen

 

[JP@AK]

So, just to wrap this up, here's the sequence:
c. 1931 - K-22 Outdoorsman's (note the possessive). It is distinctive because of the tiny adjustable rear sight as well as the round barrel with no rib.
1940 - K-22 Masterpiece First Model. As BD stated, this was only made for one year, and then the war broke out. I believe this was the first appearance of the Micro-adjustable rear sight.
1946 - K-22 Masterpiece Second Model. Micro-adjustable rear sight, ribbed barrel, five screw frame.
1956 - K-22 Masterpiece, four screw variation.
c. 1958 - Model 17 K-22 Masterpiece. Still four screws.
1959 - Model 17-1 K-22 Masterpiece. Four screws, extractor rod threads changed to left hand.
1961 - Model 17-2 K-22 Masterpiece. Reengineered cylinder stop, resulting in the elimination of the fourth screw; start of the three screw frame.
1967 - Model 17-3 K-22 Masterpiece. Rear sight leaf screw moved away from the barrel/cylinder gap.
1977 - Model 17-4 K-22 Masterpiece. Allegedly, this change involved the relocation of the gas ring. There remains some debate as to whether all 17-3 units had it on the yoke, but officially it moved to the cylinder with the -4 variation. It seems to me there is very little difference between a -3 and a -4; until 1982, when the pinned barrel was eliminated.

I refuse to discuss anything after 1982. The Model 17 line just gets weird after that, in my opinion. And yes, opinions are like armpits. Everyone has two and they all stink, including mine.

Did I miss anything, Mr. Green?

Incidentally, sometime around 1950 or a bit later, the original narrow rib got a tiny bit wider and the barrel profile changed, eliminating the flare just ahead of the forward frame bridge. I don't know exactly when this happened. I would love to know, if anyone has that information.

 

[bdGreen]

So, just to wrap this up, here's the sequence:
c. 1931 - K-22 Outdoorsman's (note the possessive). It is distinctive because of the tiny adjustable rear sight as well as the round barrel with no rib.
1940 - K-22 Masterpiece First Model. As BD stated, this was only made for one year, and then the war broke out. I believe this was the first appearance of the Micro-adjustable rear sight.
1946 - K-22 Masterpiece Second Model. Micro-adjustable rear sight, ribbed barrel, five screw frame.
1956 - K-22 Masterpiece, four screw variation.
c. 1958 - Model 17 K-22 Masterpiece. Still four screws.
1959 - Model 17-1 K-22 Masterpiece. Four screws, extractor rod threads changed to left hand.
1961 - Model 17-2 K-22 Masterpiece. Reengineered cylinder stop, resulting in the elimination of the fourth screw; start of the three screw frame.
1967 - Model 17-3 K-22 Masterpiece. Rear sight leaf screw moved away from the barrel/cylinder gap.
1977 - Model 17-4 K-22 Masterpiece. Allegedly, this change involved the relocation of the gas ring. There remains some debate as to whether all 17-3 units had it on the yoke, but officially it moved to the cylinder with the -4 variation. It seems to me there is very little difference between a -3 and a -4; until 1982, when the pinned barrel was eliminated.

I refuse to discuss anything after 1982. The Model 17 line just gets weird after that, in my opinion. And yes, opinions are like armpits. Everyone has two and they all stink, including mine.

Did I miss anything, Mr. Green?

Incidentally, sometime around 1950 or a bit later, the original narrow rib got a tiny bit wider and the barrel profile changed, eliminating the flare just ahead of the forward frame bridge. I don't know exactly when this happened. I would love to know, if anyone has that information.

Did I miss anything, Mr. Green?
No, you didn't.

But, I will throw in a little minutiae for the masses.

1940 - K-22 Masterpiece First Model, also had the round barrel with no rib. Also, 1067 of these were manufactured in the year 1940 and then, no more. These had the serial number range of the K frame target models that encompassed over 14,000 numbers.

Also, the humpback hammer ended at the end of the Outdoorsman's run as did, I believe, the S&W grip adapter. Modifications could be made to the Magnas, but, the service stocks were most typical for the adapters.

A lot to absorb.

bdGreen

 

[JP@AK]

1940 - K-22 Masterpiece First Model, also had the round barrel with no rib.

Yes. Good point. I just forgot to mention it. It seems that the ribbed barrel, except for the RM, was a creature of the postwar period. Maybe I'm forgetting some model, but if I am I don't know what it is.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I think that we've strayed away from the OP's original questions. As other Forum members have stated, your K-22 Masterpiece (K54789) dates to 1948. Here is mine, s/n K40403, in original 1948 configuration with diamond magna stocks and some honest wear. Did your SIL's grandfather have the box with the revolver? It would look the one pictured here. I actually bought my box on eBay, so the s/n marked on the bottom of the box doesn't match my K-22. Without better pictures it's difficult to determine a fair value for your revolver (without the original stocks or box), but I think in VG condition it would be worth $800+. It's a great family heirloom, and I can pretty much guarantee that it will be a very accurate plinker!