K22

[bethH]

Good morning. I inherited a gun from my Dad. From the research I did it is a K22 Masterpiece. I am trying to date it. I have attached photos. I know it is ar least 40 years old. I remember my dad having it when I was in my early teens.

 

[bethH]

Good morning. I inherited a gun from my Dad. From the research I did it is a K22 Masterpiece. I am trying to date it. I have attached photos. I know it is ar least 40 years old. I remember my dad having it when I was in my early teens.View attachment 754156View attachment 754157

Good morning. I inherited a gun from my Dad. From the research I did it is a K22 Masterpiece. I am trying to date it. I have attached photos. I know it is ar least 40 years old. I remember my dad having it when I was in my early teens.View attachment 754156View attachment 754157

Also. I believe the serial number is 20137.

 

[s&wchad]

Hi Beth, welcome aboard!
Edit: (I now see that the gun has a 4-screw frame)
I moved your thread from Antiques to the S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 section.
The number you listed is an assembly number. Please provide the serial number on the butt, under the grips. It will began with a "K".

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! You inherited a very nice K22 Masterpiece (Postwar 3rd Model), sometimes referred to as a "Pre-Model 17. They became known as the Model 17 in 1957 when S&W changed to model numbers instead of names, so I believe your 4-screw revolver dates to sometime between 1955 (when the 5th screw was deleted) and 1957. As s&wchad says, you need to remove those aftermarket target stocks (grips) from the revolver to see the actual s/n so that we can properly determine the date of manufacture. The revolver appears to be in VG condition, and the K22 is an extremely accurate and fun revolver to shoot. Enjoy!

 

[bethH]

Welcome to the Forum! You inherited a very nice K22 Masterpiece (Postwar 3rd Model), sometimes referred to as a "Pre-Model 17. They became known as the Model 17 in 1957 when S&W changed to model numbers instead of names, so I believe your 4-screw revolver dates to sometime between 1955 (when the 5th screw was deleted) and 1957. As s&wchad says, you need to remove those aftermarket target stocks (grips) from the revolver to see the actual s/n so that we can properly determine the date of manufacture. The revolver appears to be in VG condition, and the K22 is an extremely accurate and fun revolver to shoot. Enjoy!

Thanks for the info. I did remove the grips but I already put it back together. The SN was K 30 something blah blah. Im going to take it apart again and write it down.
Beth

 

[JP@AK]

I now see that the gun has a 4-screw frame

Chad. I have all the respect in the world for you, but I fail to see how we can determine this to be a four screw unit when we have not seen the right side of the gun. For it to be a four screw frame, the top sideplate screw must be gone. We cannot see that in the pictures provided. Help me out here, please.

 

[JP@AK]

They became known as the Model 17 in 1957 when S&W changed to model numbers instead of names

I don't know how many times we have to say this before the myth goes away, at least among those who frequent this Forum.
Model numbers did not replace model names. They supplemented them. A Model 17 is still a K-22 Masterpiece.

 

[s&wchad]

Chad. I have all the respect in the world for you, but I fail to see how we can determine this to be a four screw unit when we have not seen the right side of the gun....

HI Jack,
I zoomed in on Beth's photo and saw this little screw head! I guessed it wasn't a 5 screw, because it doesn't have a fishhook hammer (I guess it could be a 5 screw). Plus, I been called psyco psychic!



FYI - This was originally placed in Antiques. I moved it to '61 to '80, then saw the trigger guard screw and moved to the Hand Ejectors section.

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. But isn't the problem that it could be a five screw? Both 4 and 5 had the cylinder stop plunger retaining screw. Beth has not yet provided the serial number, but if it only has 5 digits, this could be a five screw.

 

[s&wchad]

Jack,
Wouldn't a K-22 Masterpiece in the K30K serial # range have a fishhook hammer?

 

[JP@AK]

You got me. Good catch.

 

[oneeyedpete]

K18,732 – K73,121……..…1948

 

[kevin2]

Good morning. I inherited a gun from my Dad. From the research I did it is a K22 Masterpiece. I am trying to date it. I have attached photos. I know it is ar least 40 years old. I remember my dad having it when I was in my early teens.View attachment 754156View attachment 754157

The K-22 is named

Good morning. I inherited a gun from my Dad. From the research I did it is a K22 Masterpiece. I am trying to date it. I have attached photos. I know it is ar least 40 years old. I remember my dad having it when I was in my early teens.View attachment 754156View attachment 754157

The K-22 is named Masterpiece for good reason. You may find some modern .22 LR ammo may not chamber in the cylinder. This is because the tolerances are that tight which adds to its accurate reputation. I believe they were once advertised by S&W to group 1/2 inch at 50 yards. A better revolver cannot be found.