Nickel K-22

[dieselgrin]

Picked a beautiful 1948 K-22 from Bass Pro today. I'm pretty sure it is a factory refinish but uncertain. No N stamped on cylinder, there is a star under barrel, on cylinder, and a R on left grip frame. Lettering is sharp, no wallowing around screws. Any help appreciated.

 

[usm1rifle]

I stand to be corrected but I don't think S&W would have nickeled a front sight on a K22.

Anyway, a pretty gun.

 

[murphydog]

It has the appearance of a factory-quality refinish, even though the factory would not usually do nickel plating on a gun that did not have it as an original option.

Do you see a date code on the left grip frame (like 11.23 for the current month and year)?

 

[Tom S.]

Refinish or not, it's a beauty!

 

[raljr1]

I have one that is factory refinished.

If you like nickel, you have to have a nickel K22. Why they didn't make more that a few is beyond me.

 

[dieselgrin]

Fantastic! Mine doesn't have the RN on the grip. Adds to my confusion.

 

[Hawg Rider]

That's a nice K-22 Masterpiece, and the re-nickel is well done. I agree, probably not S&W factory nickel. I also have a 1948 (K40403), but it's still blued. It's a great shooter with a hair trigger, and a lot of fun. Enjoy!

 

[raljr1]

Fantastic! Mine doesn't have the RN on the grip. Adds to my confusion.

Nicely done nickel doesn't have to be factory. I have a Model 35 that has a nickel finish. It does not appear that the factory offered this model in nickel, and this one does not have the RN stamp on it. I like it and don't care. It may not have as much value as original nickel. Ok.

you got a nice revolver. I'd suggest ditching the rubbers, they can hold moisture and damage the finish. Or at least oil underneath them.

 

[Doc44]

Definitely a change of finish to nickel as well as some other changes, namely, the extractor rod has been changed from a right-hand thread to a left-hand thread (relieved area behind the knurled tip) and the windage adjustment screw should have a flat head instead of a crowned head so something was done with the rear sight blade. The work appears to be well done and possibly by S&W, even without the R-N marking. The star on the barrel and cylinder indicate some type of work by the factory.

Bill

 

[raljr1]

Definitely a change of finish to nickel as well as some other changes, namely, the extractor rod has been changed from a right-hand thread to a left-hand thread (relieved area behind the knurled tip) and the windage adjustment screw should have a flat head instead of a crowned head so something was done with the rear sight blade. The work appears to be well done and possibly by S&W, even without the R-N marking. The star on the barrel and cylinder indicate some type of work by the factory.

Bill

Doc,

The level of detail that some members here are able to discern from a simple photo is amazing to me. Thank you for your input. I keep learning here.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Is the ejector star nickled or blued?

 

[JSR III]

I would think that a letter and then a lookup by the S&WHF would be in order. As Doc stated that era K22 would have the enlarged knurled area at the tip of the extractor rod that changed to the smaller tip around 1952.

If you are lucky, the HF might have the work order for whatever was done by the factory. Frame stamps were sometimes missed but if they have the paperwork then that proves that it was factory work. Most collectors are OK with factory work as opposed to that done at Bubba's Bumper shop.

 

[dieselgrin]

I think the star indicates factory work, just not sure what was done. Again. No RN on butt.

 

[larryofcc]

I have a M48 quite like this K22. RN on the grip frame, bbl. and cyl. numbered to gun with stars. There is a factory date on the grip frame. This M48 underwent a huge transformation. Nickel plate, 8 3/8" bbl. with nickel red ramp sight, w/o rear, target hammer, target trigger, and a pair of rosewood target stocks. Bought it off this site a few years back. Very pretty revolver. Don't know how to do pics. Big Larry

 

[stansdds]

It might be a factory refinish, a letter would be the best way to find out. Regardless, it's a nice looking K-22, but ditch the rubber grips and put some wood on it. Rubber holds moisture against the metal and that causes corrosion/rust.

 

[Doc44]

A letter of authenticity is unlikely to show the K-22 had a change of finish at the factory as service records are rarely found during the search process for a letter.

Bill

 

[JSR III]

Bill, I thought that it might come through a search of the factory service records and that a mandatory prerequisite of that was getting a historical letter from Don.

If I am incorrect about that please advise. I realize that there may not be any work related records on file especially if the refinish was not done at the factory but since IIRC there is a star on the gun I assumed that something was done.

 

[Doc44]

James...A simple search of the serial number in the records of factory invoices will identify service records if they exist. There is no separate file of factory service records.

Bill

 

[handejector]

No N stamped on cylinder, there is a star under barrel, on cylinder, and a R on left grip frame.

I would dump the rubber grips. They are notorious for causing rust under them.
IMO, it is a Factory renickel.

 

[handejector]

Definitely a change of finish to nickel as well as some other changes, namely, the extractor rod has been changed from a right-hand thread to a left-hand thread (relieved area behind the knurled tip) and the windage adjustment screw should have a flat head instead of a crowned head so something was done with the rear sight blade. The work appears to be well done and possibly by S&W, even without the R-N marking. The star on the barrel and cylinder indicate some type of work by the factory.

Bill

Bill,
It is interesting to note that the known Factory renickel shown in post #5 is a 5 Screw that also has a left hand ejector rod!