k model

[tramp7810]

i have a k model ser no k 516 01 date or anyother info anybody has thanks guys first post. glad im here

 

[Art Doc]

The K prefix indicates it is a target grade K frame with adjustable sights. That serial is approximately 1948.

You don't state the caliber but I think there are only three possibilities. A 22 caliber, 32 caliber, or 38 caliber. The 32 could only be the K32 Masterpiece with a 6" barrel. A 22 could be either the K22 Masterpiece with a 6" barrel or a 4" K22 Combat Masterpiece. Same with the 38, either a 6" K38 Masterpiece or a 4" Combat Masterpiece.

Any of these models would be a nice gun but the 32 would be most uncommon and therefore the most valuable.

 

[tramp7810]

a k22 6in in nickel with imatation stag grips gave 200 in a pawn shop. finish is great no worn spots fired very little prob 97 percent gun. whats it worth approx.

 

[Iggy]

Purty close to triple what you paid for it.

 

[Sebago Son]

That is if it's origional and not altered in any way... finish from this era should be a subdued, brushed blue...

 

[murphydog]

Agree, a nickel K-22 from the factory is a rare bird. Can you post photos?

 

[DCWilson]

I have the feeling we might be working on a mistaken identity here. Can I just confirm that you are taking the serial number from the butt of the gun? If you are reporting the numbers that can be seen on the frame when the cylinder assembly is swung out, that won't help identify anything. Those are just temporary assembly numbers. There may or may not be a letter prefix to the number on the butt. If there is, we need to know it.

The true serial number should also be seen stamped on the rear face of the cylinder and the flat underside of the barrel.

What caliber is marked on the barrel? Fixed sights or adjustable? A picture would really help if you can post one. Use the "Manage Attachments" link lower on the page where you compose a post.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[tramp7810]

k22

pics of k22

 

[tramp7810]

ser number is from the butt of the gun. what other numbers do u need

 

[tramp7810]

took another look all numbers match butt,cylinder.an barrel. best shootin gun ive had took cwp with it an 35 shots all in 10 . im hadicaped an had to sit down with 15 to go but instructor took a look at bug hole in center an said with shooting like that he vaved the last 15 shots lol.

 

[DCWilson]

Thanks for the photo. My concerns were unwarranted, and the earlier replies were on target. It is a K-22 Masterpiece from 1948 or 1949. The gun has been refinished in nickel; it would have been a kind of matte or satin blue when originally shipped.

It is easily worth the $200 you paid for it, and maybe up to $100 more as a shooter. Collectors would not be interested because it has been modified from its original condition. The rule of thumb is that refinishing a gun cuts off half its value to a collector.

At any rate, you didn't get hurt on the purchase. K-22s are fine and accurate revolvers regardless of what kind of finish they have on them.

ADDED: Just saw your last post. I'm not surprised to hear you got that kind of accuracy. Congratulations!

 

[murphydog]

If the hammer and trigger are nickled, it is likely a (nicely done) refinish. You did good on the price no matter what.

 

[tramp7810]

they are. u think i should spend the 50 dollars for the s&w certs

 

[Art Doc]

IMO this refinished gun is worth about what you paid for it. I would not spend 25% of the purchase price to learn which hardware store it was shipped to back in 1948.

 

[tramp7810]

kinda harsh sir

 

[DCWilson]

I would never tell anyone not to letter a revolver they own, but I would caution that in some cases it might not seem worth the expense. There only two pieces of critical information in a letter that you can't get from public sources -- the precise shipping date and the destination. A history letter won't tell you about any work the gun may have experienced after leaving the factory. In your gun's case, I'm afraid SP's characterization is pretty much on target. Almost all shipment data after WWII will show guns going to distributors or dealers in specific cities. In some cases, the recipient is a multi-state distributorship, so you can't even be sure that the gun first sold in the state to which it was originally shipped. Rarely --very rarely -- you will find that a particular gun was shipped to an individual who purchased directly from the factory rather than a local store.

 

[Art Doc]

Dave- "I would not spend 25% of the purchase price to learn which hardware store it was shipped to back in 1948."

Where did I tell anyone what not to do? All I said was that I would not spend the money. Maybe you don't advise against lettering but I do sometimes with fairly mundane guns. I think $50 is a lot to spend for what usually turns out to be scant info. But the choice is always up to the owner.

tramp7810- Harsh? Sorry you took it that way. I thought I was just being honest. Guns of this vintage will letter to a hardware store or small gun shop about 95% of the time. Is it harsh to acknowledge this fact? You want to spend $50 to letter your gun you go right ahead. It's your gun, your money, and your decision. I was merely expressing my non-expert opinion in a discussion on an open forum. As with any opinion from any individual you are free to do what you wish with it.

Going back in my cave now.

 

[DCWilson]

SP, peace! I wasn't attributing any attitude to you. I was trying to address the question the K-22 owner posed just before you commented.

I haven't got enough minutes left in my entire life to waste a single one of them antagonizing people or imputing beliefs to them that they don't hold. I pay politicians of both parties to do that on my behalf.

 

[tramp7810]

ditto david. ive been a target shooter all my life never a collector. i got what to me was an unusual gun at a good price an love it. didnt know how certification worked so had to ask thanks for the way u presented your answer so i could understand. not all of us have been pro collectors for years. im retired now an dissabled so trying to get into a new chapter in my life. Randy

 

[BUFF]

Besides the date and destination of the shipping of a S&W, the factory history letter also normally states the features the gun had originally, such as the barrel length, finish, stocks and any other optional features like cartridge chambering, target hammer and/or trigger or sight blades. For a "shooter" gun, none of this may matter, but for buyers and sellers, a gun with unusual features can be worth quite a bit more if it can be shown to be original. For example, a factory nickel finish on a K-22 is very rare if it first shipped with it. An early .44 Magnum first shipped with a 5 inch barrel may be worth twice or more what the same gun with a 6-1/2 inch barrel would be. Guns manufactured more than 50 years ago can be classified as "curios and relics" by BATFE, which allows those with C&R 'collector' FFL's to have the gun shipped directly to their premises, without having to go through a commercial FFL holder, which will often save some bucks. This information can be valuable for many guns, well worth the $50 cost of the letter.

Other times, it is just interesting.

Enjoy your K-22. A good .22 revolver is one of the most fun guns we can have.