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Need help to Value this 1947 K-22LR
- Thread starter OldYooper
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NovaJoe
Member
The gun has some condition issues.
The hammer and trigger are shiny as if they are nickel-plated - a sign of refinishing. Maybe its just your photos.
There is the ugly rust on the barrel.
The grips are not original - they are post-1968.
It will never be a collector, but it probably shoots nicely. I'd guess a value in the $400 range.
The hammer and trigger are shiny as if they are nickel-plated - a sign of refinishing. Maybe its just your photos.
There is the ugly rust on the barrel.
The grips are not original - they are post-1968.
It will never be a collector, but it probably shoots nicely. I'd guess a value in the $400 range.
In your photos it looks like a nickel finish which, I don't believe they were doing. I could be wrong on that but I don't think so. It's a very early post war K22 with the wrong stocks. It's pretty rough and for now I will not venture a guess on value. I'll let someone else tackle that.
OldYooper
Your K-22 Masterpiece probably left the factory in the Spring of 1947. The nickel finish is an aftermarket job and the target stocks are also a later addition.
The value is certainly not high. If the bore is good, you probably still have a good shooter. Enjoy it for what it is.
Your K-22 Masterpiece probably left the factory in the Spring of 1947. The nickel finish is an aftermarket job and the target stocks are also a later addition.
The value is certainly not high. If the bore is good, you probably still have a good shooter. Enjoy it for what it is.
hdfinder47
Member
I have K9430 that I think is late '47. Just enjoy it as a great shooter!
Ed
Ed
K782 shipped in March 1947...
...Ben
...Ben
Yes. K-22 Masterpiece revolvers numbered K8726 and K9863 both shipped in November, 1947.
More to the point of the OP's revolver, K1605 shipped in April, 1947.
March, April. What's a month between friends?
To the best of my knowledge, all of the K-frame "Masterpiece" series of target revolvers (K-22, K-32, and K-38) were blued. There were no nickel versions manufactured by S&W, so as others have informed you, yours was an aftermarket nickel job. Your K-22 Masterpiece (3rd Model) would have been shipped with diamond center walnut magna stocks like those on mine (K40403, ca. 1948). Since it's early, it probably has the one-line address on the right side of the frame, whereas mine has the later 4-line address that began in 1948. I think that your nickel revolver would clean up nicely with a little gentle cleaning with Flitz Polish and a microfiber cloth. It's probably only worth about $400, but should be a very smooth and accurate shooter. Enjoy!
Attachments
Attachments
AH Ha! The definitive answer.
Values-------------------
By way of comparison, the two of my 1940's K-22's sold as follows during the past three years ending a year ago.
K7568, shipped December 17, 1947 with blue finish in top condition fetched $1530---not a "LERK".
K55489 shipped December 7, 1948 with blue finish in top condition fetched $1175.
The value of virtually any collectible gun is dependent upon condition---the better the condition, the higher the value. 'Twas ever thus, and it ain't gonna change!! Needless to say, scarcity will play a role too! I had a K-32 1st Model that was downright scruffy---plenty of finish, probably 95%, but that which was gone left by way of disrespectful, down right sloppy handling---and maybe even a slide across a concrete floor. Aside from the fact of what it was, it was nothing to be proud of!! That said, hold on to your hat! It sold for $7135!! Whoever bought it clearly did so for what it was----just like I did. It was my good fortune to have bought it a looooooooong time ago---almost exactly when I could have bought either of two as new examples for a mere $20,000+ at my first SWCA annual meeting. Aside from the fact the Boss Lady would've had me flogged if I even mentioned such a thing, I was blessed with at least a little more sense than God gave a peanut!!
The entirety of my collection was sold by David Carroll. His modus operandi is to dispose of common ordinary items such as these on Gun Broker-----"Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am!"---done and done in no time flat!! He sells the special stuff one on one---and that takes longer---sometimes A LOT longer. It took a bit over three years for him to finish up with my stuff---and it was worth the wait!
Ralph Tremaine
By way of comparison, the two of my 1940's K-22's sold as follows during the past three years ending a year ago.
K7568, shipped December 17, 1947 with blue finish in top condition fetched $1530---not a "LERK".
K55489 shipped December 7, 1948 with blue finish in top condition fetched $1175.
The value of virtually any collectible gun is dependent upon condition---the better the condition, the higher the value. 'Twas ever thus, and it ain't gonna change!! Needless to say, scarcity will play a role too! I had a K-32 1st Model that was downright scruffy---plenty of finish, probably 95%, but that which was gone left by way of disrespectful, down right sloppy handling---and maybe even a slide across a concrete floor. Aside from the fact of what it was, it was nothing to be proud of!! That said, hold on to your hat! It sold for $7135!! Whoever bought it clearly did so for what it was----just like I did. It was my good fortune to have bought it a looooooooong time ago---almost exactly when I could have bought either of two as new examples for a mere $20,000+ at my first SWCA annual meeting. Aside from the fact the Boss Lady would've had me flogged if I even mentioned such a thing, I was blessed with at least a little more sense than God gave a peanut!!
The entirety of my collection was sold by David Carroll. His modus operandi is to dispose of common ordinary items such as these on Gun Broker-----"Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am!"---done and done in no time flat!! He sells the special stuff one on one---and that takes longer---sometimes A LOT longer. It took a bit over three years for him to finish up with my stuff---and it was worth the wait!
Ralph Tremaine
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I paid $1000 for an Oct. 1947 example last month. Thing is, it came with 3800 rounds of ammunition. It was blue and all correct with what I would call minor finish wear on the high edges. Call it 93%. I figure the ammo was worth around $400 so call it $600 for the gun - maybe $650. I'd say yours is worth considerably less, given the post-factory nickel, the late stocks and generally rough condition. Probably make a good shooter, though.
hdfinder47
Member
OldYooper, I'll do you a favor! Mine was shipped Oct. 24, 1950. Its wholesale price was $39.69, one of 25 shipped at the time. I'll double that price and take it off your hands, rust and all! As a bonus, you can keep the stocks!
That's a tack driver if it's anything like all the rest of the K22s. They made a bunch of them for a good reason. Around here, I would think 5 bills would be hard for me to pass up on it.
Good luck with whatever you do. If you decide to sell it, sell it here on the Forum, please!
Like CordWood ( Butch) said, " Any of the K22s are outstanding revolvers."
That's a tack driver if it's anything like all the rest of the K22s. They made a bunch of them for a good reason. Around here, I would think 5 bills would be hard for me to pass up on it.
Good luck with whatever you do. If you decide to sell it, sell it here on the Forum, please!
Like CordWood ( Butch) said, " Any of the K22s are outstanding revolvers."
I'd spiff it up with some Flitz and a soft rag, and make it look reasonable again. I'd stick with the stocks that are on it. It would never look like new, but I think it could be made to look better with just a little elbow grease.
What you got to lose?
What you got to lose?
I have K 3251. Never got it lettered, but am estimating mid-1947. A couple of scratches and some holster wear. Looks to have been a farm gun. Was 7 Bens, four years ago. Seemed fair. Great shooter, nice trigger. Holds its own to my 617 at the range.
