Model 17?

[Wasz]

My uncle laid hands on a S&W .22 LR. I think its a Model 17. Number on the bottom of the butt of the gun K 32319. Under the cylinder arm a 4 then a 7 separate from the 4 and 8097 below them both. Its a 5 inch barrel Its blued and has adjustable sights. It has what I think are likely faux stag grips. They're kinda ugly, I'm not sure if the original grips are available or not.

Looking for any more information. Year of manufacture? Value?

 

[murphydog]

Hi, and welcome. The early K prefix serial number puts it as a 1948 gun. The other stamped numbers were for internal factory use. It would have been called a K-22, which became the model 17 (6" barrel, Masterpiece) or model 18 (4" barrel, Combat Masterpiece) in 1957. If the barrel length is 5" from the muzzle to the cylinder face, it has been shortened from 6". A detailed description of its finish and mechanical condition or photos would be helpful to establish a value. Hope this is helpful.

 

[gunlovingirl]

The K-22 is a great shooter! Do a search here and you'll turn up lots of info. A lot of us own one, or more!

 

[Wasz]

I could be off on the length, I didn't measure. I want to say its more than likely a 4in then. It has what looks like a case hardened hammer. Its steel gray with the kind of discoloration that makes me think casehardened for some reason.

The bluing is worn a bit in some areas mostly around the trigger guard. Looks like it needs cleaned, but lock up seems pretty tight, over all it appears mechanically sound. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot it. If I had to rate it I'd guess its in pretty good condition. 80% would be on the safe side.

The seller wants $200. I didn't have time to take the grips off and see what was going on underneath.

Even a fairly broad price range would be most appreciated.

 

[Art Doc]

$200? And you left that fool still holding a $500 gun in his hands?


The barrel is 6" and the gun looks something like this one, no?

 

[tjsguns]

With that serial #, along with the barrel length and condition you describe, it probably looks more like this:

I picked this one up at the recent Tulsa Gun Show as a shooter.
I paid a bit more for it than what your seller is asking, but not much more.
So if the one you are looking at looks similar to this in both configuration and condition....GRAB IT AND RUN!!!

 

[Wasz]

Yes right down to the little bump below the hammer spur. I think the front sight may be a little different, and the replacement grips he has on it are fugly. I dunno if the originals are available. The bluing isn't as nice as in the picture, but its not too bad either. Enough that its a shooter and not a safe queen. I'm not 100% if its a 6in or a 4in. I spent 5min with the gun and told him I'd look into it a bit more.

1948 made. Value $200-$500 sound about right?

 

[tjsguns]

The grips like the one's in my pics are the original's that came on the gun. Mine are even serial #'d to the gun. This is usually pretty tough to find on a gun in this condition as they've usually been replaced.
Grips like these are commonly available, but have sky-rocketed in price over the past few years. If you want to buy a set you can go on the "want ad" section of this forum or on ePay and find them easily. Make certain that they are for a "K" frame revolver which is what you're looking at. They are call Diamond Magna style grips.
The price range you give is very broad. It depends on the condition of the gun. The one I showed shows significant holster wear but the bore, cylinders, lock-up and timing are perfect. If yours is like this then I wouldn't pay anything over $400 for it. I paid a LOT less for mine, but I think I got a REALLY good deal on it. Especially with the matching serial #'d grips.
Hope this helps!
Good Luck!

 

[murphydog]

Yes, $200 is a great price and means the seller doesn't know or care about what he has. Buy it and worry about the original stocks later.

 

[Wasz]

Thanks for the info everyone. It seems like at $200 its fair no matter what. It's cool that it was made in 1948.

Really nice forum. I'm gonna have to hang around here more often.

 

[depicts]

are you still talking to us?? You should be on your way to pick up that gun and give us a range report. *S*

 

[fyimo]

Run don't stop until it's in your hands for good.

 

[DCWilson]

Wasz, it's not like you need another vote on whether that's a good buy or not, but here it is anyway. You or your uncle --not sure who's looking at the gun -- should just go get it. Spend another hundred bucks to put some age-appropriate wood on it, and you've got a great shooter for about half the price that a lot of people here would pay for it.

Just do it!

 

[au2183]

Did you buy it yet?