K22 Combat Masterpiece *Better pics*

[szuppo]

Here are some better pictures of that Combat Masterpiece with the questionable front sight.

Having a hard time with the lighting & camera today

It's been suggested it may actually be a King or even a Lyman sight that was special ordered and installed at the Factory. Hoping it letters as such.

 

[szuppo]

Here are some better pictures of that Combat Masterpiece with the questionable front sight.

Having a hard time with the lighting & camera today

It's been suggested it may actually be a King or even a Lyman sight that was special ordered and installed at the Factory. Hoping it letters as such.

 

[s&wchad]

A standard Model 18 front sight is not as high as if that was extended. It hasn't been replaced, so I'm guessing it's original. Good luck.

 

[Sebago Son]

Pre-18's are usually found with the ramp pinned to the barrel with two very prominent pins.

My guess is that your ramp is not factory....

Still, it's a beautiful, tasteful revolver that any of us would be proud to own....

Thanks for the snapshots!

Drew

 

[szuppo]

bdgreen- I thought that too at first but upon inspecting my Target Masterpieces from the same period the "O" in "LONG" is centered over the pin. Not the case on this one. It is well centered too.
Letter will at least tell that much.

The pins are flush and intact like those on some of my other Post War guns from the same period.

Also, another Forum Member also has the same sight on his early Combat Masterpiece. He said he got it off a friend whose father bought it new and it came that way.

 

[szuppo]

Canon 400D with the kit lens. Should have used the 85mm 1.2, much better lens.

 

[RdrBill]

Sir.
Beautiful. It looks like an early one from when S&W had not yet decided which type of front sight to use. I have a couple of early number K22's with both Baughman and Patridge style front sights. Barrel length and marking very similar to yours. Anything out of the normal Baughman type is occasionaly accused of being a cut off barrel. Could be. The breach end of your barrel still shows good taper as it enters the frame, that end doesn't show sign of being cut off. The taper would be lost. The lettering is still well centered on the four inch barrel, mid way betweeen the muzzle and frame. Makes me think the front end was not cut off. I wonder where they think it was cut??
I think some of the folks here are just guessing and wishing they had one just as unique.
SEMPER FI! Marine
Bill

 

[Kobold_27]

Hey Dude! So your the one whole stole my table!!!

I'm gonna get you sucka!

LoL!

Nice pics Steve. The light bends good and bad for all of us; it's always a horse race. You have inspired me to break out the gear this weekend and see what I can see.

Michael

 

[2moose1]

szuppo ~ great photos, nice shooting......

2m

 

[bellevance]

Szuppo--

That is one exceptionally beautiful K-22, cut or not. And your photos are first-rate!

Thanks.

 

[Keith Brown]

This one is from 53 and has the rounded exposed pins, the sight blade is 11/16 in length and the barrel dia.at the front edge is.598. I have another from 74 and the sight blade on it is also 11/16 in length, the bbl.dia on it is .600. Just pictures to compare, the letter will probably tell the story. Anyway you look at it that's a nice looking S&W.

Keith

 

[Blackcloud2]

szuppo, those pictures are unbelievable! I know nothing of the weapon, other than it's a beauty to the eye, but your photo skills are simply magnificent!

 

[klondike]

+1 Absolutely gorgeous Photographs.

 

[j38]

Szuppo, Beautiful pics! And I would love to have seen that one on a table first. I'll look forward to what Roy has to say about it if you letter it - or if his answer will even be conclusive. Congratulations! Jerry

 

[Art Doc]

K123000 & K155000 1951 and 1952 respectively.

Neither looks like yours. I have never seen a S&W with a blade quite like that. I am leaning towards an old rework from a 6" that was very well done but anything is possible and what the Hell do I know?

 

[szuppo]

Saxonpig...

Neither had I until this popped up

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5301039...151040672#5151040672

 

[Doc44]

szuppo...If you have Roy's book on the history of S&W, take a look at the ".357" Magnum illustrated on page 215. I think you will find the front sight blade on this revolver to be very similar to the one on your K-22 Combat Masterpiece. Looks like a few guns from the early 50s were fitted with these

.

Bill

 

[s&wchad]

The pins attaching the ramp and blade are the type that were polished flush, then blued. I don't see how it could be a cut barrel unless it was re-blued after installing the pins. I'm assuming there are no rework marks on the frame and the barrel number matches.

If S&W changed a blade, or shortened a barrel and set back the ramp, didn't they use the radius attaching pins?

 

[szuppo]

Doc- Thanks, Don't have a copy but will get one.

s&wchad- All matching, no re-work markings.

 

[Art Doc]

Well, it is possible that more than one gun was modified by the same smith, but with a third gun (albeit a different model) turning up with the same sight, it seems likely it is actually a short-lived variation. If the letter says 4" then I am sure it's the original sight.