K-22 Question

[DWalt]

I have a friend who has just bought a K-22 from an auction site. I have not seen it, just pictures of it, and it strikes me as being odd. It is SN K27150, one-line, indicating shipment around 5/1948. However it has a 4" barrel, and the ordinary Masterpiece front sight. That seems way too early for it to be a K-22 Combat Masterpiece (which didn't start until around K76000), and I think the Combat Masterpiece would have had a Baughman front sight. My feeling is that the barrel has been shortened. It is still within the return period and he needs to know if it is not original so he can return it. Comments?

The completed auction is at Gunauction.com, Auction # 14897836 if anyone wants to look. You can just Google the auction # to get to it.

 

[22hipower]

Agree with your assessment, looks like the barrel has been cut, the position of the barrel stamp is not centered. Those combat stocks look pretty nice though so for the price paid I don't know that I'd be too upset assuming the gun is mechanically sound.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[DWalt]

Yes, the stocks are worth in the several hundred $ range, and I think he was planning to sell them.

 

[Engine49guy]

You are correct that the serial is too low to be part of the first run .
The very earliest examples did have the Patridge FS with short ramp same as the 6" version but with a shorter blade.

The pics are hard to see but my bet would be that someone sent it back to S&W at some point to shorten based on how well the muzzle and FS ramp mount is.

Of course you know the saying with S&W and they would build one off special orders for those willing to pay and wait so perhaps worth a letter but I wouldnt get my hopes up too high

At that price with those $200 FG Combats your friend did very well,
IMO ts a really neat 4" K-22 well worth the app $400 he has in it after selling the combats.

 

[cgt4570]

The finish looks awfully matte and the sideplate gap looks a bit wide at the top. Those are signs it's been messed with. On the other hand. the front sight and pin look legit. He might have to spring for a letter.

 

[JH1951]

Maybe it is me or my computer display, but the finish on that piece is popping a red flag with me. The pictures are really not crisp, so I cannot be certain, but honestly, I have done a few refinishes (blasting media, no buffing) that look a lot like this one.
I like the piece, and know the finish is not supposed to be the deep high polish blue. I own several from this era that are 98% in factory boxes, so I am familiar with the general appearance characteristics. Again, perhaps it is on my end. I would certainly evaluate that aspect as well when it arrives.

 

[crsides]

Cut bbl. With the grips, I think it not a bad buy.

 

[policerevolvercollector]

No hijack intended.....

But, there are two '30s vintage K-22s with barrels cut to 4 inches for sale online. Was this a common alteration?

 

[Hondo44]

DWalt,

As soon as I recieved that K22 4", I'd look for a factory rework date on the grip frame and check the serial # under the barrel.

 

[Hondo44]

No hijack intended.....

But, there are two '30s vintage K-22s with barrels cut to 4 inches for sale online. Was this a common alteration?

Once the short barrels were introduced by the factory, many older guns were sent back for a barrel change. Or a gunsmith bought a factory barrel and swapped out the longer one; those will not have a serial # on the barrel.

M&Ps had the new 2" snubby barrel installed after it came out in 1933.

Older 22 Heavy Frame Targets that only shipped with 6" barrels had the 4" Kit Gun barrel installed after introduction in 1935.

 

[red9]

I have one very similar. I was told by the seller that the barrel was shortened by the factory. Letters as a 6", no rework marks, nothing found by SWHF. But it sure looks like factory work.

A Pre Pre Model 18 .22 Combat Masterpiece?

Bob