Old K frame .22

[djshaw]

Not sure if this is the right place...
I picked up an almost like-new revolver and I wonder if anyone can date it for me. The details:

Plate Side:

5 screw (large screw at the top of the side plate near hammer & a screw in front of the trigger guard)

MADE IN USA
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
Smith & Wesson
Springfield, Mass.
(the & used is the one with the large swoop, or belly)

Standard S&W logo on the side plate (1 inch tall)

Square frame, Wood grips (with diamonds around the screws)

# 22 LONG RIFLE CTG # (I placed #s where there are really little trident looking things)

Tapered barrel, adjustable sights

Trigger is flat, hammer spur is flared, not flat. (It is wider where the thumb crosshatching is located.)

No ejector shroud

Thumb release side:

Thumb release is the round, most commonly seen type.

SMITH & WESSON (on the barrel)

Cylinder is recessed to contain cartridge rim.

In-frame firing pin

pinned barrel (four inch)

Serial # 229969

There is the letter K about 5/8 of an inch in front of the number (frame size).

The number is located on the bottom of the but and on the inside of the cylinder where the charging holes are.

On the frame, inside the yoke area, there is no model number, (but the gun appears to be a model 17).

04 (the four is clearly stamped)

67442 (Below the 04 are these numbers)

8 (then there is this number, but it might be the letter B)

Thank you to anyone who may have an idea.
The gun is tight, well timed, no yoke gap, with good bluing that is just beginning to turn gray.

 

[JP@AK]

Hi

What you bought is a K-22 Masterpiece from 1954. It is not a Model 17, since model numbers didn't appear until 1958 (they were assigned in June, 1957, but not used immediately). There never were any 5 screw Model 17 revolvers. The upper sideplate screw was eliminated in 1956.

The K is part of the serial number. After WWII, the K frame target sight revolvers (.22, .32 and .38) were given K prefix serial numbers.

You did an excellent job of describing your K-22.

Edit: The "little trident looking things" are called dingbats. Mostly decorative, although some argue they were actually functional in correctly applying the roll stamp.

 

[Hondo44]

Not sure if this is the right place...
I picked up an almost like-new revolver and I wonder if anyone can date it for me. The details:

Plate Side:

5 screw (large screw at the top of the side plate near hammer & a screw in front of the trigger guard)

MADE IN USA
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
Smith & Wesson
Springfield, Mass.
(the & used is the one with the large swoop, or belly)

Standard S&W logo on the side plate (1 inch tall)

Square frame, Wood grips (with diamonds around the screws)

# 22 LONG RIFLE CTG # (I placed #s where there are really little trident looking things)

Tapered barrel, adjustable sights

Trigger is flat, hammer spur is flared, not flat. (It is wider where the thumb crosshatching is located.)


Serial # 229969

There is the letter K about 5/8 of an inch in front of the number (frame size).

The number is located on the bottom of the but and on the inside of the cylinder where the charging holes are.

On the frame, inside the yoke area, there is no model number, (but the gun appears to be a model 17).

04 (the four is clearly stamped)

67442 (Below the 04 are these numbers)

8 (then there is this number, but it might be the letter B)

Thank you to anyone who may have an idea.
The gun is tight, well timed, no yoke gap, with good bluing that is just beginning to turn gray.

Congrats, great find!

You have a "Model K22 Combat Masterpiece". It became the Model 18 in 1957 because it has the 4" barrel. Model 17 had a 6" barrel.

The serial # is K229969. In 6 places on the gun including backside of the right grip. Made/shipped in 1954.

67442 is the assembly # on yoke, opposite it on the frame, and on the inside of the side plate. The other numbers/letters are inspector marks.

The large & is called the 'pregnant ampersand'.

The marks around the cartridge rollmark are called "dingbats".

 

[JP@AK]

Thanks, Jim. I missed the reference to the 4" barrel. So, yes, it is a .22 Combat Masterpiece that would eventually become the Model 18.

 

[Johnnu2]

SUPER NICE GUN.....

This is probably the best example of: "THEY DON'T MAKE'M LIKE THEY USED TO".

J.

 

[MrG5122]

This should be a 'sticky' on how to describe a revolver. You provided all the essential information.

 

[wheelgun610]

... The "little trident looking things" are called dingbats. Mostly decorative, although some argue they were actually functional in correctly applying the roll stamp.

I wish I'd been part of that conversation. I'd be very curious to know why someone would argue that the dingbats were helpful in the rollmarking process. If that was the case, why wouldn't they have added dingbats to the rollmark on the other side of the barrel? I say the dingbats were just another one of those extra touches of panache. Just like the diamond around the screw on the stocks.

Mark

 

[Fortcouragearmory]

I have a 1981 version of the same gun. Only difference is mine has the model number and serial number stamped inside the crane. I blacked out the serial number in the attached photos. Great description of what you have, btw. Should be the model to follow.

 

[S.B.]

I'm disappointed you didn't post some picture of your handgun? I/we like pictures here.
Steve

 

[djshaw]

Thanks to all of y’all!!!!
I appreciate it.