Love Your Thoughts on Gun Show Find - 22 Combat Masterpiece

[RKmesa]

I found the below 22 Combat Masterpiece at a local show yesterday. It was dirty and well used, but she spoke to me as I walked slowly past her several times. She whispered... "You want me. Take me home with you. Clean and polish me. Love me... and you can shoot me whenever you want."

I finally picked her up and thought - worst case I could get someone to engrave her, as there was no apparent surface rust or major marks - just wear from years of going in and out of a holster.

I came to a deal with the seller - $725 and she was mine. I brought her home and spent some quality time with her yesterday, giving her the RKmesa welcome (clean, polish, wax, buff and lube) and found her to be just what I thought she was - a well-used, much-shot, much-holstered, well-cared for, absolutely-perfect shooter grade Combat Masterpiece. She shipped from the Factory in April 1952 (thank you Mr. Jinks).
In addition to the cleaning, the RKmesa welcome almost always includes a game of "Musical Grips" (I'm sure that many of you know that game well).

Here are a few quick iPhone photos of her in different grips. I would love to hear your thoughts on which grips you prefer and why. ALSO - I would love to see how you stock your Combat Masterpieces.

1. These are the "Diamond Target"grips that came with it when I purchased it yesterday. Period correct, but probably did not ship on the gun:





2. "Diamond Magnas" - she probably shipped with a set of these grips. This particular set is numbered to a gun that probably shipped 5-6 years later, although they fit her very well.





3. "Smooth GA Factory Targets" from the late 1950s to early 1960s. They have been slightly modified with a tasteful "bobbing" of the rear butt, but have beautiful color and grain and feel GREAT in my hand:





4. "Ebony Thai Target Reproductions" that I ordered from eBay several years ago for $60-$70. I have never found the perfect gun to put them on, but they fit this 22 CM very well and you've got to appreciate the color





Thanks for letting me share,

 

[arjay]

Nice! Mines wearing a pair of diamond magnas with a pachmayer adapter. A bit small for my hand,but it looks good [emoji4]

 

[huthike]

Beautiful gun. I like the number 3 grips. No, wait… I like them all!

 

[quinn]

I'm for #4 even though they are 'off shore'... they just look stunning. I'm a little surprised you own somehting that is not 'all scratched up'.

 

[Oldengineer]

I vote number 2. Wait…….maybe number 1. Kind of like asking a pizza lover what their favorite toppings are!

 

[Aukula1062]

Gorgeous! Great deal on an absolutely beautiful revolver. If I could only have one wheel gun it would be the model 18 or the model 34.

 

[Truckman]

Richard, I can't tell you the number of times I've heard that siren voice speaking to me as I stroll through the aisles and past the tables...Of the choices shown, I think I would prefer the diamond magnas as long as they feel best in your hand...There is another choice I can suggest - a nice pair of stags such as the ones that found their way onto my new carry gun...Some may remember this one from a recent thread when this crippled, homeless veteran called to me from a table I was passing, and convinced me it could serve me well as my new carry gun......Ben

 

[AJ]

I much prefer the Diamond Targets. I have target grips on my K17.

 

[Model19man]

I am a big fan of the original diamond combat magnas.

 

[sophie]

Very nice gun and looks like it cleaned up real good. Congratulations on the purchase.
I vote #1 or #2, whichever fits your hand better. I shoot my Model 18 with S&W target grips with football cutout.

 

[Goony]

I think that's a nicer example than many of the ones I've seen. The Diamond Targets are for sure somewhat later than the gun, but are a bit hard to come by in that condition and probably ought to be reserved for a future acquisition in need of them. Since none of the grips are strictly speaking "correct", finally making use of the Thai grips might be your best option. That advice is somewhat contingent on the extractor clearing, but even if it doesn't, you could easily enough dish them like the others.

 

[paplinker]

Smooth G A all day!

I would also look in your parts drawer for a King front sight that matches your K 38 version.

 

[oldrookey617]

Soo Many Choices, That #4 Just Pops with That Wheel Gun. I switch mine around every few days.. Good Luck..

 

[T44spl]

That's the type of gun that appeals to me. Just the right amount of wear, not abused, no safe queen, but carried, used, and shot exactly what fine guns are used for.
I like the diamond target grips or the ebony Thailand grips. If the ebony grips fit well and clear the extractor without creating grip "rash" then go for it. After all you have been storing those grips for quite a while, so nows the time to put them to good use.

 

[Purplecat]

Here's mine. Model 17
One of my favorite Smith & Wesson's!

 

[RKmesa]

Beautiful gun. I like the number 3 grips...

Smooth G A all day!

They are some of my favorites as well. The color is beautiful, and they are so pleasant in my hand...













And they make me smile.

 

[Purplecat]

My K22. Pre model 17's. born in 1948

 

[bigmoose]

The smooth GA targets look the best on that gun, for sure. Congrats on a very nice revolver acquisition.

 

[JP@AK]

Richard

First, nice find and nice restoration job. The latter proves that "restoration" does not have to include monkeying with the original finish.

Now to the stocks. My opinion is (remember, opinions are like armpits; everyone has two of them and they all stink) that it should wear diamond Magna stocks. That is almost certainly what were on it when it left Springfield. And, except for the Combat Magnum, I think Magna stocks look best on 4" revolvers.

Now I will offer one other suggestion. If it is going to wear Magna stocks, I think you owe it a pair that are period correct. In April, 1952, they would still have the sharp shoulder. If you don't have any to put on it, give me a call (or a PM if you please) and I will dig through my stash and come up with a pair for you. We can discuss how much wear you want on them to mate up with the gun's current condition. I'd be happy to send them to you gratis, or bring them with me to Tulsa and hand them over to you.

 

[Baxter6551]

I vote for number 2 with number 1 as runner up.
My model 18 came with a pair of combat stocks (also TT/TH and correct box indicating same.
I also play the stock changing game. It’s had a set of Rasco Maple stocks. Currently wearing a unique set of magnas with a Tyler T. I think stocks are Walnut.
My model 17 has the original magnas but I found these beautiful Herretts in a bargain bin and shaped them for my hands.