K22 stainless question

[Samuel2223]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the group and I was hoping someone could help me with a question. I recently purchased a K22 (5 screw) with 6" barrel. The revolver I purchased is finished in a brushed stainless steel. Everything I am seeing talks about blued revolvers. Did S/W make the K22 in brushed stainless? Serial number is (K 42122). This number appears under the barrel, on the cylinder near where the bullets are loaded, and at the bottom of the handle. I thank you in advance for your time!
Sam


***UPDATED***

Serial Number added
Anyone know the production year based on serial number now that I added it (I apologize for not sharing initially). Lesson learned for future posts.

 

[Truckman]

That's either hard chrome or electroless nickel...Welcome to the forum...Why do you not want the serial number known?......Ben

 

[JP@AK]

Hi Samuel2223 and welcome to the S&W Forum.

Since it has five screws, proud pins on the front sight and the serial number on the cylinder, your K-22 Masterpiece was made before about mid-year 1956. If you must blank out digits in the serial number (no real need to do that), you should eliminate the last one or two, not the first digits. To approximate the date, we need at least the first two or three after the K. We also need to know the total number of numeric digits.

As for stainless, it is not possible for this K-22 to be made of stainless steel. S&W did not make any stainless revolvers until 1965. Neither did anyone else.

Added: I just noticed that you wrote you only eliminated one digit. If so, this is a very early K-22 Masterpiece, probably from 1947. It also appears to have the narrow rib, which is consistent with a 1947 unit.

 

[Samuel2223]

I added the full serial number. K42122

It does have the narrow front rib.

So, if S/W did not make any stainless during this time period, is this a nickel finish? Or was the blue removed and refinished in another way.

 

[Truckman]

I added the full serial number. K42122

Ahh, much better...Thanks...The Standard Catalog suggests a manufacture date of sometime in 1948...Others may have some shipping dates for close numbers, but bear in mind S&W did not ship in serially numerical order......Ben

 

[JP@AK]

At K42122, it most likely shipped in 1948. I show one just a wee bit higher that shipped in August of that year.

if S/W did not make any stainless during this time period, is this a nickel finish? Or was the blue removed and refinished in another way.

The K-22 Masterpiece was available only with a blue finish. What you have is an aftermarket change. Yes, most likely they removed the blue first. It is either nickel plate or some sort of hard chrome.

 

[Samuel2223]

Thanks for the information. Does the fact that the finish was altered ruin the value in terms of adding to a collection? I intend to enjoy shooting this gun as long as I am able and then pass it along to one of my boys someday. But I was curious if the value has been negatively affected since the finish is not blue.

Thanks again for all of the information.

 

[JP@AK]

Any aftermarket alteration, including a refinish, eliminates the collector premium on an otherwise collectible S&W revolver. So, yes, your K-22 would no longer fit into the collector niche and it would not rate a collector's premium.

That said, the refinish does no harm to the functionality. You still have a fine "shooting iron." By all means, enjoy shooting it and handing it down to your progeny some day.

 

[22hipower]

Looks like hard chrome to me which is one of the best finishes in terms of durability although, as far as I know, S&W has never used it. A great choice for a gun that is going to be used, especially one that is going to spend a lot of time in a holster. That finish is hard to tell from a brushed nickel or even stainless. One tell is that in refinishing the sights and hammer and trigger were often included while the factory would use color case hardened triggers/hammers and the sights were usually black even on nickel finished guns.

This 25-5 is in hard chrome and one of my favorites that I can use and not worry about wear. Enjoy yours.

Jeff
SWCA #1457


https://flic.kr/p/2oewPej

 

[Truckman]

Looks like hard chrome to me which is one of the best finishes in terms of durability

Indeed...It's an industrial finish designed to resist wear...For a functionally sound gun with no future in a purist type of collection, it's an excellent choice......Ben

 

[.38SuperMan]

The 1911 is brushed hard chrome and has seen some heavy use in USPSA competition. It's been covered in dust and dirt and in and out of a holster a few thousand times and the finish is still perfect.

The M15 is Electroless nickel and like the 1911 has been in the dirt and dirt and thousands of draws from a leather holster and the finish is still perfect. Both are about 30 years old or more.

 

[glowe]

To be sure of the metal that was used, grab a magnet. If it sticks, it is almost certain it is steel. That K22 was definitely manufactured in 1948 and as noted above, likely shipped that same year. Manufacture of K frame Masterpiece revolvers made in 1948 ran from K18732 to K73121.

 

[Samuel2223]

Thank you to everyone who shared information. I have a more clear picture of my new beautiful 22 revolver. I have one more question and it's a little odd I guess but anyone know value wise what this revolver is worth just for my own knowledge. Paid 700 and I was happy at that price because I've been looking for one for quite some time and it's a nice match for my Model 19–3 that's pictured with it. I'm hoping I did not overpay too much but nowadays it's getting harder to find a nice representation of these older revolvers.

 

[Truckman]

I have one more question and it's a little odd I guess but anyone know value wise what this revolver is worth just for my own knowledge.

Value is a subjective thing...If you like it, then it's worth every penny you paid, and more...When you decide it no longer has a place with you, then it's worth what its next caretaker is willing to pay...Those who are used to seeing my guns at shows know that I value each of mine highly for fear I'll lose them to some high roller...But those who know me at all also know that becoming caretaker to one of my treasures can be done with a little finesse...Don't ever feel you paid too much, although it's possible you may have bought it too soon......Ben

 

[RKmesa]

I recently purchased a K22 (5 screw) with 6" barrel. The revolver I purchased is finished in a brushed stainless steel...

First: It certainly looks like brushed stainless - but as noted above, we know that it is not. It has lost its collector value, BUT I LIKE IT! When you tire of it - let me know, as I do not have one like it in my rather extensive K-22 collection. And I like modified S&Ws.

Second: WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!! This is a great place to hang out and discuss all things S&W. Lots of great info and great guns posted here.

Third: Supporting an estimated ship date sometime in the Fall 1948, is K55062 (the closest K-22 SN in my collection) that shipped in November 1948.

Forth: I for one would love to see some more photos of that gun. The finish looks to be well done and evenly applied.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[boykinlp]

Nice gun, Samuel. A couple of things that I like about it compared to a later one is the sharp shoulder diamond Magna grips, and single line address. More classy than the later non-diamond version.
Larry

 

[hkcavalier]

It's a common misconception. Stainless steel isn't technically a finish, it's a material. One can no more refinish a blued carbon steel gun as stainless than one can refinish an apple as an orange. But I agree that it's probably chrome. I have my own, somewhat smaller, S&W .22 refinished this same way.

 

[CajunBass]

I've got a K-22 from 1951, that was tagged at the LGS at $700, right at the end of last year. I was surprised, I figured it would be higher. I begged, whined and looked pitiful enough that they knocked of $50.00 to shut me up, so I'd say your price was in the ballpark.

Your original finish would have no doubt looked a bit like this.

In the post war years Smith and Wesson used a more matte finish to speed up production to catch up with backorders from the war years. As production caught up, they went back to the bright blue we think of when we hear "blue gun."

 

[murphydog]

It's a cool gun, and if it has a hard chrome finish the exterior metal is more or less rust proof, so a perfect rainy day gun.

On a different topic, my understanding is S & W (and most other) stainless steel guns will attract a magnet, so that is not a reliable way to tell these from a hard chrome or electroless nickel plated gun. Enjoy!

 

[cmansguns]

Probably 1948 but some things to check to be sure

Welcome to the Forum OP! I believe you got a nice deal on a nice gun. Some items I've noticed and been educated about by the experts on this forum over the years that may be of interest to you about your K22 Masterpiece.

Last year I sold a 3 digit, K22, blue (K 905) that shipped in August of 1947. This date was confirmed by a Factory Letter of Authentication. It had what is known as a "one line address" on the right side of the frame.

Also last year I sold my other K22 Masterpiece, blue finish, serial number K 42372. This may be the gun that Jack (JP@AK) is referring to in his post above as it is a little higher than yours and mine was confirmed by S&W Historian as shipping in August 1948.

The 1948 gun pics below show that it had a 4 line address, high speed (aka short) action, large S&W logo on right side of frame.

These same features should be present on your gun if unaltered from original. I see one poster above spoke about yours's having a 1 line address but I cannot see that from the photos.

If you could post some more pics it would be great as we LOVE photos on this Forum!

I think you did just fine at $700. When I sold the 2 I had last year, they both went to the same collector and price realized (after shipping costs, transfer fees, etc.) was a tad less than $1,000 each.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Hello Sam, and welcome to the Forum! I guess you got your answer- your K22 Masterpiece was definitely refinished. It would have originally looked like mine (K40403, also 1948) and have been shipped in a gold box. Mine shows some honest wear, but it's an accurate shooter and a lot of fun. It also has a hair trigger so I assume it was worked on by a previous owner. Regardless of the refinish, you and your family will like taking your K22 to the range. It's a great training revolver for youngsters and women new to shooting since there is literally no recoil, and ammo is cheap. Enjoy!

 

[glowe]

. . . I have one more question and it's a little odd I guess but anyone know value wise what this revolver is worth just for my own knowledge. Paid 700 and I was happy . . .

Yes, $700 is too high for that gun. Remember that percent finish is the major factor in valuing any firearm and your revolver has 0% original finish. Worn K22 Masterpiece revolvers can be purchased for $500 and still function like new, plus will have more original finish than yours.

Outside of the collector market, it is hard to determine a value since demand will be relatively low. The K22 is one of the finest handguns S&W ever manufactured and the Masterpiece line is considered as the about best model ever made by the company. You now own the revolver and it's time to enjoy shooting it without much worry about wearing the finish.

My birthyear gun shipped in 1948.

 

[chief38]

That's either hard chrome or electroless nickel...Welcome to the forum...Why do you not want the serial number known?......Ben

With all the hacking, scamming and deceptiveness going on these days (especially online), I think it is quite prudent to leave off the last 2 digits of the serial number. There is just no practical reason to give that info out!! Unless you are dating a very valuable gun, selling a specific famous historical gun, or trying to prove a gun belonged to a specific person during a certain time period, the last two digits won't usually mean squat - unless you are looking to pin the date down to a specific day. There is nothing at all wrong with using a serial number style like this example: 8K2644XX. Close enough for our general purposes and not specific enough for a scam job.

Bottom line is IMHO, there is just no reason for the last 2 digits to be disclosed - and it makes me sleep better at night. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Truckman]

There is nothing at all wrong with using a serial number style like this example: 8K2644XX. Close enough for our general purposes and not specific enough for a scam job.

Bottom line is IMHO, there is just no reason for the last 2 digits to be disclosed - and it makes me sleep better at night. Just my 2 cents.

It's OK with me if others want to do that...I see no point to it, and nothing to fear from real numbers...I also know we have several members here who are tracking particular guns for databases which can benefit us all...If my use of real numbers from my guns helps them, I'm glad to be of service...But to each his/her own......Ben

 

[rct269]

VALUES--------------

Here are the prices fetched by the K-22's from my collection which was liquidated over the three years ending a year ago. Perhaps needless to say, these were original finish, high condition guns; and any comparison of these to this gun is akin to comparing apples to oranges----does not compute.

K-22 1st Model (with King Cockeyed Hammer)------$2500
K-22 1st Model-----------------------------------------$1750
K-22 2nd Model (Given/shipped to Philip B. Sharpe) $9500
K-22 3rd Model (Narrow Rib/One Line Address)------$1530
K-22 3rd Model (Narrow Rib/ Four Line Address)-----$1175
K-22 4th Model (Wide Rib)-----------------------------$950

Ralph Tremaine

Edited to add: I said "original finish", not so as re the 4th Model. This started life as a "Satin Blue" (the funky finish) gun which came to make my teeth hurt----was the first K-22 (also first/only handgun bought new (in 1956))---and given the ill effect on my teeth, and the fact I didn't know any better, I had it refinished by the factory in 1960----in Bright Blue---a VAST improvement!!

 

[glowe]

. . . On a different topic, my understanding is S & W (and most other) stainless steel guns will attract a magnet, so that is not a reliable way to tell these from a hard chrome or electroless nickel plated gun. Enjoy!

All stainless steel has iron in it, which is the magnetic element in the alloy. The magnetic attraction to stainless is very weak compared to a very strong attraction with steel. It is easy to tell the difference between SS and steel.

 

[Cotis]

Sam,
Thank you for sharing your new acquisition with the forum. I for one really like it and do not see the hard chrome refinish as a negative, just the opposite. To me it is worth every bit what you paid for it.

Regards,
Chaz

 

[lawandorder]

There is a K22 floating around that ,in a moment of poor decision making ,I let slip away. It wears an Armoloy coating and yes that destroys collectibility but makes for a very nice revolver that got heavy use.

 

[Samuel2223]

Welcome to the Forum OP! I believe you got a nice deal on a nice gun. Some items I've noticed and been educated about by the experts on this forum over the years that may be of interest to you about your K22 Masterpiece.

Last year I sold a 3 digit, K22, blue (K 905) that shipped in August of 1947. This date was confirmed by a Factory Letter of Authentication. It had what is known as a "one line address" on the right side of the frame.

Also last year I sold my other K22 Masterpiece, blue finish, serial number K 42372. This may be the gun that Jack (JP@AK) is referring to in his post above as it is a little higher than yours and mine was confirmed by S&W Historian as shipping in August 1948.

The 1948 gun pics below show that it had a 4 line address, high speed (aka short) action, large S&W logo on right side of frame.

These same features should be present on your gun if unaltered from original. I see one poster above spoke about yours's having a 1 line address but I cannot see that from the photos.

If you could post some more pics it would be great as we LOVE photos on this Forum!

I think you did just fine at $700. When I sold the 2 I had last year, they both went to the same collector and price realized (after shipping costs, transfer fees, etc.) was a tad less than $1,000 each.

Thanks for all of this information! I will post some more pics this evening when I get home. I believe (from what I remember) there are 4 lines in the address, but I will confirm when I get home. The finish was done really well by whoever completed that project. The revolver has a nice even finish and texture.

 

[Nightowl]

You might want to check your front sight, too. Some K22s of that era shipped with 1/10 front sight, but most with 1/8 inch front sights. It is also common for K22s to have tight chambers, hence sticky extraction. Maybe the hard chrome will ease that somewhat, if the chambers are coated, as I assume they are.