Need info on this new to me 22 long rifle ctg

[Wagonman69]

Hello I just bought this gun off of my elderly neighbor across the street. She inherited it and didn’t know anything about it and I’d like to find out what I can about it as well as far as when it was made and what not and what I’m looking at.
It’s an S&W .22 long rifle ctg. The serial number in the bottom of the grip is K 203943. This number is repeated under the barrel.
The other numbers are P 28739

 

[DARE]

There is a serial number chart in the Standard Catalog of S&W 4th Edition for guns that the serial starts with a K prefix.
That chart says your gun is from 1953.
Probably all we can tell you without more info. What is the barrel length? Pictures would help.

 

[JP@AK]

It very likely shipped from the factory in 1954.

It is either a K-22 Masterpiece or a .22 Combat Masterpiece, depending on the length of the barrel. A K-22 Masterpiece would have a 6" barrel; a .22 Combat Masterpiece would have a 4" barrel.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum, Wagonman69.

 

[lihpster]

It is either a K-22 Masterpiece or a .22 Combat Masterpiece, depending on the length of the barrel.

Both are excellent revolvers.

 

[DWalt]

Probably the best .22 revolvers made. Very little difference between the K-22 and the .22 CM other than their barrel lengths.

 

[H Richard]

Probably the most desirable S&W for multiple uses. The 6" is capable of match grade accuracy for Bullseye shooting. The 4" is just about as accurate, but the 4" is easier to holster and carry for woods walking, plinking, etc.

Usually these guns are passed down to sons and grandsons. Keep it clean and well oiled and it will last many lifetimes.

 

[Green Frog]

Not much to add except welcome to our home, Wagonman69.

Oh yeah, it was a S&W idiosyncrasy to mark their barrels with “CTG” to indicate the cartridge for which it was intended, so for decades, newcomers have described their new find as a “XXX CTG” as though that were a model designation... it’s not, but that’s just the way these thing go.

A bit of history about your K22, they were made in relatively small numbers prior to WW II, as simply Military & Police frames in 22 caliber with rather primitive adjustable sites grafted on. After the war though, they went all out with ribbed barrels nd micro adjustable rear sights. The end result of this evolution was your K22, which many regard as the finest 22 revolver ever made.

There was a whole series of these target grade revolvers, the Masterpiece Series, chambered in 22 LR, 32 S&W Long, and 38 Special. They were intended as fine target arms, but proved popular for all manner of shooting duties and these older post War examples are in high demand to this day.

I don’t know what you gave the elderly lady across the street for this nice revolver, but it might be a nice gesture to mow her lawn or shovel her driveway and sidewalk a time or two. What you got from her is a very nice thing!

Froggie

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum!

That’s a real prize, especially if it’s in good condition and still has most of the original blue finish.

But whatever condition I hope that you plan to shoot it for many hours of inexpensive enjoyment. It may need cleaning but definitely will benefit from oiling with a good modern lubricant after so many years.