K22 cond / value help... needed

[MCM]

While looking for a nice model 17 to shoot at the range I found this K22 for sale. Its a 1952/53 private party sale.
No box, no orig grips. Not sure how much that would deduct from its value? Again, I plan to shoot this one a bit, but also like the idea of having one nice enough that it could appreciate in time. Is this one 90%? 95%? Looking for an idea what a fair price would be on this example. Not in a huge hurry, but do not want it to get away if its a fair deal. Seller is firm at $750.
Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Larry from Bend]

It looks pretty nice but it's awful pricey. I still see similiar revolvers with original grips for $550-$600 but I'm not in CA. If I'm seeing lots of blue wear on the ejection rod it's probably been shot a lot (that's okay, but it affects price).

If you get a Model 17 (made in 1957 and thereafter and so marked in the crane) S&W will service/repair it. Not sure about pre-17s.

 

[MCM]

I am not seeing blue wear on the ejector rod in the photo?
Can you tell me what I am missing?
Thanks!

 

[BigBill]

Well post number one? Welcome to the s&w forum.

In this condition, no orginal grips, no box, no cleaning rod, no mop, no screw driver. I would say $650 max if that. Haggle, start off with five new $100 bills. Have a $50 bill in each pocket. Start off with $500, they point out it's condition that it's not a collector's piece. Then up the price to $550.
Gripe again it's not orginal grips. Orginal grips may cost $200 to get the correct ones. Make your best offer at $600. Then I'd tell him if he changes your mind to let you know.

Gripe about the gold inlay, the bonanza gold just isn't with it in today's Times. It will remove by solvent most of the time. But say you need to pay to have that bling removed.

 

[MCM]

Thanks, I had an account here so old I dropped off. LOL LOL
I will probably pass. Seller had it at $1K and is firm at 750. I offered 7 and was turned down.
Thought about getting a brand new 17-9, but they are about a grand as well. Part of the problem is finding one in state. Its about $125 to bring one in. So all of a sudden the 600 gun is about 750.........

 

[thadheth]

I agree that it is clearly overpriced at $750, especially with those grips (which are probably comfortable, but certainly detract from the value of a beautiful early '50's S&W). Given that .22's seem to be hot items these days, I would also agree that $550 - with maybe a stretch to $600 - would be much closer to reality.

 

[ma deuce]

I'd be OK with $700 if it had the original grips, but even here in MD $750 is pricey without them.

 

[MCM]

Will hold at $700 & see how it goes.
I see quite a few in lesser cond in the 5-6 range.
So, maybe 7 isn't too far off.

 

[CatboatWilly]

Nah....not at $750.00 The seller must think he has a jewel or a rare antique. Not a cent over $700........here in Gator country - and even that's pricy.
Your Mileage (and opinion ) Might vary

And welcome to the Forum...you didn't say what state you are in...........

 

[handejector]

It appears to be a Bright Blue gun. Satin Blue was standard for most of the 5 Screw era.
That means it was either a special order in Bright Blue, or it is a very late 5 Screw, which is when Bright Blue was phased in as standard.
If special ordered, it will have a fairly large B on bottom of barrel against the frame.
If a late gun, the serial number is in the 250,000-260,000 range.

Bright is not rare, but certainly not common. Even without grips, IF it is Bright, IF it is real nice, you won't be foolish for paying $750. You won't be stealing, you aren't really getting robbed.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Too much wear for the price ask. Dump it. Cheaper/Better ones are out there.

 

[MCM]

Lee, Not late at #209xxx

 

[MCM]

Too much wear for the price ask. Dump it. Cheaper/Better ones are out there.

Thanks, I am not seeing the wear? Can you point it out to me?
Several I see for sale have pitting, holster wear and patch's of blue worn away on the barrel. I am just not seeing that here? Thanks again for the help!

 

[r3captain]

I've been looking at that one for a few months and haven't quite been able to pull the proverbial trigger either.

 

[MCM]

At least I am not alone.........
The $200+ for the correct yr grips is the killer.

 

[DWalt]

Some might go for it at $750, but not me.

 

[Fackler Rebel]

How about this?

It looks pretty nice but it's awful pricey. I still see similiar revolvers with original grips for $550-$600 but I'm not in CA. If I'm seeing lots of blue wear on the ejection rod it's probably been shot a lot (that's okay, but it affects price).

If you get a Model 17 (made in 1957 and thereafter and so marked in the crane) S&W will service/repair it. Not sure about pre-17s.

Right after I found my K22, rough and worn like me, but the most accurate weapon in my gun safe. Called Smith and Wesson and they told me that they still support my gun. Mine has serial number that says it was shipped in 57 the last before the roll over to the Model 17 as you said.

Reb

 

[Fackler Rebel]

Oh yea, don't let that get away if it shoots good. You can still get factory support and the grips probably could be found. I've got about 500 in my old war horse and I think that was a deal. In North Alabama you just don't see them that often and that will get worse.

Reb

 

[tlay]

I have seen the grips for this era K22 run around $125. If you buy it you can find them on this forum.

 

[geraldo]

IT'S only money, you can make more ! but you cant made a k 22, I bought a k38 (1949) today , 5 screw with the original box and original grips I would rate it about a good 98% for $900 out the door , He was asking $ 1200. A Top price but I feel that it will make me more money in the future than the bank pays in interest today !!.

 

[MCM]

"IT'S only money"

Your right....... And for $50 who cares........
What really made me crack is the $125.00 FFL's charge for out of state transfers into Ca. these days..... So the $600 out of state deal isn't such a great deal after all. And the new 17-9's are over $900.00 with an internal lock no less.
So I guess I may have over paid by a tank of gas or so.
Call me a fool. LOL LOL
Game over.
Thanks again for all the help! Both Pro's and Cons.

 

[Wingmaster]

You did fine. If you keep it a year or two you will be able to make money.
Theirs no way I would sell it though.

Wingmaster

 

[r3captain]

Congratulations, glad it's staying in So. Cal.

 

[BigBill]

Now look for the correct grips and your golden. The prices are soaring on these anyway.

 

[MCM]

I will track down a pair to keep with the gun. But will probably leave these on if they are as comfortable as they look. My hands are XL / 2XL.

I know about prices going up. Have checked in on these through the years from time to time. Just never found the right one. So this time I just went for it. Its said to have been fired very little. The seller has owned it for 35 yrs and has (2) 17's he shoots.
Its going to be an occasional shooter. And I doubt I could ever wear out an N frame shooting .22's.

How can I tell what grips came on this one? Target only? Or?

 

[Engine49guy]

Like Lee said you dont see tapered barrel 6" K22's in "Bright Blue" very often so its interesting at the least if it is original,

Open the cylinder and look on the barrel flat under the ejector rod for the letter "B" stamp indicating bright blue finish.

The serial is right there at the start of the transition from satin to bright and the subsequent change to the less tapered wider rib barrel 5 screw K22 around 1955 .

 

[MCM]

I do not think it has the " bright" finish. Here is a better pic.
I asked for photos taken in the sun. What do you think?

 

[JP@AK]

Hi
I told you on another forum that you should go for it and would not be hurt (long term) on that price. It sounds like you went ahead and bought it. I really don't think you'll be sorry, especially since you live in the People's Republic of Kalifornia.
That thing will probably out-shoot anything else you own in a handgun! I sold a 5 screw K-22 that shipped in 1949 a couple years back for $750. The guy who bought it lives not too far from me and he loves it. He doesn't think he got hurt on the price and says he will never trade it off.

 

[glowe]

What really made me crack is the $125.00 FFL's charge for out of state transfers into Ca. these days.....

Congratulations on your Masterpiece. You will love shooting it and, hopefully, it will be a tackdriver. Now can you enlighten me on this $125 FFL fee in CA?

 

[MCM]

From out of state FFL to local FFL, its my understanding its about $135.00 these days. I have not done it. But that's what I was told when I inquired at a few local FFL / Gun shops this week. Private party In state transfers are still $35.00. Many out of state shop's wont sell to Ca. these days. (Another problem)

6/25 Update: found local FFL's that charge $50.00 for out of state transfers. The big shops are just screwing folks.


I am not an expert on this. Bought most of my older guns yrs ago before all the B.S. Back when friends had FFL's out of their homes. (Those days are long gone here)
My last few new guns were purchased from local gun shops.
(9mm Shield, Take down 10-22) etc
Am sure someone else can fill in the blanks better.
The funny thing is I will bet there are more gun sales here, than most anywhere else. LOL LOL

Another issue out of state is our insane DOJ approved hand guns list. But that's another story.
K22's would not apply as they are over 50 yrs old. But an out of state 17-4? No dice. Not on the list.

2nd up-date. Single action only exemption is a way around it. Silly ****........ Convert ti SA, then back.