K22 ID

[iowafilm]

My local gun shop got a nice K22 with a slight amount of muzzle wear, it doesn’t have the original grips on it but it’s $400. I had my gunsmith take a look and it hasn’t been reblued.

Could someone help me date it? It is pinned and th serial is 734xxx. If someone could tell me if it’s a good deal and what year it’s from I would really appreciate it.

Thank you

 

[cmansguns]

The year should be 1967, and the serial number on the butt should have a K prefix. Pics below are my K 22 Masterpiece from 1946 with s/n K 9XX.

Depending on mechanical condition, sights and other originality (i.e. if only the grips need replacing to be original again) then $400 could be a nice price.....all depends.

How many screws? One line address, barrel length, P&R, etc.

We love those pics, even if cell phone pics before you buy in order for us to help with value, other wise as an "accumulator" of S&W I'd tell you any decent condition S&W revolver at or under $400 is very good these days around this area of Virginia.

 

[cmansguns]

OP;

I forgot to add that as you probably know, S& W started with Model numbers stamped into the yoke area in 1957, so your K22 should also be stamped in that area Model 17 and maybe dash something.

Below pic is one of my Model 17-3 from 1971 with s/n 3 K 44XX, and the number preceding the K didn't start until about 1970 so your year still is probably 1967, but definitely should have Model 17 stamped in the yoke area.

 

[JP@AK]

As cmansguns wrote, the serial number should be K734xxx and it was serialized in 1967. Moreover, that would make it a K-22 Masterpiece Model 17-3, assuming a 6" barrel.

If you open the cylinder, you should see MOD 17-3 stamped in the yoke cut.

If it has a 4" barrel, it is a .22 Combat Masterpiece Model 18-3.

In either case, $400 is a great deal, assuming the condition is as you described.

Welcome to the Forum!

Edit: I see Charlie came back and beat me to some of this . . . :)

 

[Green Frog]

As Jack and Charlie have said, it's a good gun for a good price if your gunsmith has cleared it for condition. FWIW, I paid $425 at auction about 5 years ago to get my 1948 vintage K-22, and it was mechanically sound but the finish was much worse than you describe. I think $400 in today's market is very good, even if the grips are a total loss!

BTW, what grips are on it currently? If they are unmarked Target Grips with the football-shaped relief cut, they may be original as only the Magna grips were routinely serial numbered to the gun. Does the gun have Target Hammer and Trigger?

Anyway, it sounds like a good find to me and even though I'm happy with the one I've got, I'd probably jump at that price just for a spare (or as excellent trading stock.) ;)

Froggie

 

[iowafilm]

I’m told it’s a 17-2 I am unaware if it has target hammer and trigger but here are some images. Any info is appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Jim Watson]

Looks like a target hammer, narrow trigger.
Horrible Jay Scott plastic "pearl" handles, but you can get better feeling and looking ones for not a lot of money if you don't insist on 1967 wood.
$400 is cheap these days.

 

[daddio202]

I think that is an excellent price for that gun. Most any K22 from that era in halfway nice shape start at $600 but usually if they are nice honest used well taken care of they are in the $800 range. For $100 or less im sure you could find some grips from that time frame. I would buy it in a hearbeat myself!! Good luck

 

[Camster]

Quote: "How many screws? One line address, barrel length, P&R, etc"

None of this matters for a $400 gun that functions fine and looks reasonably well.

 

[robvious]

I would be telling you about my new one if I found that at $400...

 

[Jtown]

$400 is a steal, use the money saved to buy grips.
Walt

 

[JP@AK]

The location of the front screw on the rear sight (the sight leaf screw) will tell you if it is a -2 or -3. If it is directly above the barrel/cylinder gap, it is a -2. If it is offset, then it is a -3.

But the model number (including the dash) should be stamped in the yoke cut. At that serial number, it should be a -3.

 

[JohnRippert]

Snag it now. If it were in front of me it would be mine already.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

That’s a really great price for a K22!
Buy it, then we can help you figure out the year, screws, etc.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

That is definitely a good price it would have already been gone at that price around here .

 

[steelslaver]

I would have already shelled out the $400 and be patting myself on the back. In spite of the fact that already I have 5 K22s and don't need another one. My wife definitely won't let me be a pimp, so the grips would have to go. $100-200 for a set of targets, or set of nice wood grips off Ebay for under that.

She let me keep the pearls on an old model 1 1/2 32 topbreak, but only because she wants me to make it into a belt buckle gun for her.

 

[iowafilm]

Thank you all for your help! I picked it up today.
There is one weird thing the serial # says it’s 1967 made but it’s also stamped 17-2 and all the books I look at says in 1967 was a 17-3, what am I not getting? Sorry to be dense this is my first Smith and Wesson.

 

[Nightowl]

Thank you all for your help! I picked it up today.
There is one weird thing the serial # says it’s 1967 made but it’s also stamped 17-2 and all the books I look at says in 1967 was a 17-3, what am I not getting? Sorry to be dense this is my first Smith and Wesson.

Not an issue. When Smith changed something and made a new dash number, there was a change process. Sometimes, it took awhile to get those guns in progress out the door. So, there is a transition period. The only way you can tell for sure when your gun shipped is to obtain a letter. The book info is just general and cannot be considered absolute!

 

[JP@AK]

Not an issue. When Smith changed something and made a new dash number, there was a change process. Sometimes, it took awhile to get those guns in progress out the door. So, there is a transition period. The only way you can tell for sure when your gun shipped is to obtain a letter. The book info is just general and cannot be considered absolute!

What he said! I just made the same point on the same question in another thread.

Added: Funny! I just checked. You, iowafilm, were the OP in that thread too!

 

[iowafilm]

Thank you all so very much!