K22 originality?

[silicosys4]

What does the forum think of this gun, a 1955 K22 Masterpiece?
Opinions on the originality of the currently shown target grips and hammer?

 

[Oldengineer]

I’m going to say that the hammer is original and the stocks may have been an option……that may be original. A very nice.22 Revolver.

 

[larryofcc]

Mine was shipped in 1956. Letters with target stocks and target hammer. The stocks are unrelieved. Mine is the heavy bbl. I have no doubt yours is original. Big Larry

 

[rct269]

The hammer appears to be of the "target" variety. It may very well be "original"---but not standard. A letter will tell that tale in that it will describe the configuration of the gun as it shipped. Same goes for the grips. If you were a betting man, you'd bet both came along after the gun was shipped, and you'd likely win the bet-----just "likely"; there are no lead pipe cinches with this sort of thing. All that said, the VAST majority of guns shipped exactly as illustrated in the catalogs.

The rule of thumb in cases like this is anything is possible.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Alk8944]

The stocks and hammer are both appropriate for a 1955 K-22 or K-38. Either or both could have been added to a gun issued with standard hammer and Magna stocks, but there is no way of knowing except by requesting a "factory letter". That should reveal the configuration of the gun when shipped. Is it worth $100 to you to find out? I believe that is still the current cost of a letter.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. OP, did you see anything objectionable? I sure dont. Nice gun.

 

[glowe]

Here are a couple S&W flyer excerpts from the period of your revolver. You will note that the gun could be ordered with both target hammer and stocks or could be bought separately. Both could be purchased at your local hardware store as well, so that is why the letter defining the configuration is needed. There is some debate as to if target stocks were serial numbered. Most are not numbered even if they came from the factory since little or no fitting is needed to install these stocks.

 

[silicosys4]

Here are a couple S&W flyer excerpts from the period of your revolver. You will note that the gun could be ordered with both target hammer and stocks or could be bought separately. Both could be purchased at your local hardware store as well, so that is why the letter defining the configuration is needed. There is some debate as to if target stocks were serial numbered. Most are not numbered even if they came from the factory since little or no fitting is needed to install these stocks.

If I'm reading that correctly, the target trigger does not look to be an option. Pardon my ignorance, but when did the full 3T package become available?

 

[glowe]

If I'm reading that correctly, the target trigger does not look to be an option. Pardon my ignorance, but when did the full 3T package become available?

That is a 1953 flyer. Target hammer and stocks were first introduced in January 1950 and Target triggers were made available in 1953 . Flyer must have been printed just prior to the trigger introduction the same year.

 

[handejector]

Target triggers were made available in 1953 .

I have Roy in print saying the K/N Target triggers were first made available for purchase in Jan, 1956.

 

[handejector]

OP,
It is quite common to see K Masterpieces with Target Hammers and standard triggers from 1950-55, and often with Target grips.
I bet your gun shipped with the hammer. Only way to tell about the grips is to letter it.

 

[JP@AK]

OP,
It is quite common to see K Masterpieces with Target Hammers and standard triggers from 1950-55

Quite true. Interestingly, this was also true in the Bangor Punta era.

 

[silicosys4]

Mr. OP, did you see anything objectionable? I sure dont. Nice gun.

Haha. Nothing jumps out at me except this particular shop keeps trickling out S&W Masterpieces at a rate just slow enough for me to afford and just fast enough to take all my spending money.

This one makes 3 in as many months.

 

[Engine49guy]

My bet is that the flyer posted above is more likely much earlier maybe 1951 based solely on the fact that IIRC the target stocks first appeared in the 1950 AMC, Noticed the original $5 price is blacked out and raised 10% to $5.50.
Also they still list the target stocks "With built in adapter" that went away very early and IIRC Lee has a set , the only set I've ever seen a picture of.
The non relieved targets are period correct, I usually associate the football relief cut with the introduction of the Combat Magnum in 1955-56.

 

[glowe]

My information is that the original information that was not blacked out was the 1950 flyer and the prices for the Masterpiece line was $65.00. The blacked out revisions were sent out in 1953 raising the prices. I never did know what the statement about the built-in adapter was about, but neither would the buyer back then. I have always wondered if they were referring to the grip adapter being part of the walnut stocks design? Of course these flyers did not contain any dates.

Below is an edited section of the original S&W Masterpiece flyer in a 1950 Stoeger catalog with the original pricing.

 

[toad67]

Thanks for the brief explanation about the "adapter", I was wondering what it was referring to also.

 

[Nightowl]

To me, it makes no difference if the hammer and stocks are original or not! I expect they are. Its a great looking gun and has extras, so it would be home getting itself ready to go shooting!!

 

[Engine49guy]

The original target stocks design had a seperate black plastic adapter,
I have never encountered one in real life but saw a picture of one posted by Lee many years ago, IIRC the original target stocks were flat panels and the adapter was inserted and covered the front strap and bottom of the heel shaped kinda like an L.
They realized by cutting the wood to cover the front grip strap and heel the insert was no longer necessary.

 

[glowe]

The original target stocks design had a seperate black plastic adapter,
I have never encountered one in real life but saw a picture of one posted by Lee many years ago, IIRC the original target stocks were flat panels and the adapter was inserted and covered the front strap and bottom of the heel shaped kinda like an L.
They realized by cutting the wood to cover the front grip strap and heel the insert was no longer necessary.

OK, here is what I have for S&W grip adapters. My notes state that these were strictly pre-WWII, sold from 1931 to 1940 as shown below. Lets see if there are any differing opinions?

 

[Retired W4]

OK, here is what I have for S&W grip adapters. My notes state that these were strictly pre-WWII, sold from 1931 to 1940 as shown below. Lets see if there are any differing opinions?

Those were ordered and installed on my Registered Magnum, REG# 1299 from 1936. I'm finding out just how difficult they are to replace.