I need to identify this gun and place a value on it. It is a K Frame .22 with 4 inch barrel and adjustable sights. There is no model number under the yoke. The serial number on the bottom of the grip (and on the bottom of the barrel under the yoke is K116XXX. I believe the black plastic grip adapter was standard equipment. There is also a screw in the front of the trigger guard that does not show up in the attached photos. Overall the gun appears to be in excellent condition. I'd say the bluing is 99% +, though it is a dull blue, not the bright polished S & W blue I am used to seeing. Thanks for your help
Please help me identify this .22
- Thread starter Mike Z
- Start date
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It's a very nice K-22 Combat Masterpiece, a.k.a. pre-model 18 dating from about 1950 or thereabouts. Stamped model numbers started about 1958. A very desirable old 22 in great shape. It's meant to be shot.
The stocks appear to be period-correct and may have the serial number inscribed inside the right panel. Collectors are all about "matching numbers" to prove the piece is original.
FYI, there is also a K-38 Combat Masterpiece, possibly lurking in wait for you.
The stocks appear to be period-correct and may have the serial number inscribed inside the right panel. Collectors are all about "matching numbers" to prove the piece is original.
FYI, there is also a K-38 Combat Masterpiece, possibly lurking in wait for you.
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bamabiker
Member
Welcome to the forum.
That looks to be a Combat Masterpiece from about 1951. The grip adapter was/is popular but not standard equipment as in supplied with the gun. It was added.
Looks to be in very nice condition from the 2 pics.
Some of these other guys do a lot better than me on giving values but I'd say that's at least a $700 to $800 gun in my area. Do you have the box?
That looks to be a Combat Masterpiece from about 1951. The grip adapter was/is popular but not standard equipment as in supplied with the gun. It was added.
Looks to be in very nice condition from the 2 pics.
Some of these other guys do a lot better than me on giving values but I'd say that's at least a $700 to $800 gun in my area. Do you have the box?
Actually, am thinking about a trade towards a shotgun I've had my eye on. I thought it might be a pre-18, but wasn't sure about the difference between that and a kit gun. Looks like they are going for a grand for lesser finish. Is that about right? Any way to check the serial number against the year? Thanks for your help. PS Sorry about the upside down photos, thought I had them flipped around, but they reverted back when I attached them.
Thanks. No unfortunately, no box. Bought it from and estate many years ago.
fat tom
Absent Comrade
Excellent example of one of my personal favorites! I had a long reply typed out but a couple of members beat me to the punch. The grip adapter appears to be made by Pachmayr,or perhaps Mershon,both popular add-ons of the period.
f.t.
f.t.
fat tom
Absent Comrade
A grand for your gun,much less a lesser finish,is on the very high end in today's market. I think bamabiker is on the money with his value estimate. If you had the original box with the SAT and Helpful Hints,I think a grand would certainly be a reasonable price to ask for it. JMO,FWIW.
f.t.
Bamabiker nailed the date as 1951 - my poor eyes crossed up the date betwixt book and keypad. So, you DID just check out the serial # vs. date. That is the approximate date of manufacture. Only way to get closer is to request a factory letter from the historian at SW for $50 which would likely tell you the date it shipped and to whom.
$1000 is probably a bit high without the box - sounds like Gunbroker wishful pricing.
There is NO WAY I would trade that for any shotgun. But, to each ....
$1000 is probably a bit high without the box - sounds like Gunbroker wishful pricing.
There is NO WAY I would trade that for any shotgun. But, to each ....
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Thank you.
Thanks. I was just taking a guess based off what I was seeing on GB. The stuff listed isn't as nice, and that's about what they were asking. I'm thinking a trade, so, I expect to possibly lose a little value. Actually, kinda hope he doesn't take the deal. Looks kinda nice sitting next to my pre- Woodsman.
Nice looking pre-18
The kit guns were j-frames if i am not mistaken.
Your pre-18 is of course a k-frame. Like Bobby
has said the grip adapter is an add on but no
big deal. Some might like it, some may not.
7-800 around here in that condition. As stated
above, if you had box and papers (maybe) a grand.
Do not trade it for a shotgun. Sell it on here and
use the money for a nice scattergun.
Chuck
The kit guns were j-frames if i am not mistaken.
Your pre-18 is of course a k-frame. Like Bobby
has said the grip adapter is an add on but no
big deal. Some might like it, some may not.
7-800 around here in that condition. As stated
above, if you had box and papers (maybe) a grand.
Do not trade it for a shotgun. Sell it on here and
use the money for a nice scattergun.
Chuck
fat tom
Absent Comrade
Understood!
To get a better idea of what they are actually SELLING for,check the completed auctions using the Advanced Search function. FWIW,I wouldn't trade it either,just too nice of a specimen! Those guns were bought to be used back then and they were! You don't see many that nice anymore.f.t.
loeman
Member
Welcome to the forum.
Now that's a nice pre 18! I think it would be priced from $750 to $850 in my neighborhood. Gosh, I hope that shotgun you are considering is really special because you will look long and hard to replace that beauty, especially if the stocks number to the gun.
Now that's a nice pre 18! I think it would be priced from $750 to $850 in my neighborhood. Gosh, I hope that shotgun you are considering is really special because you will look long and hard to replace that beauty, especially if the stocks number to the gun.
fat tom
Absent Comrade
It retains the spring and plunger that maintain tension on the cylinder locking bolt,which protrudes from the floor of the frame and engages the cylinder stop notches. Keep it tight!
f.t.
You're breaking my heart, here. My longest-barreled gun is a 10.5" Model 500. I see absolutely no need for anything longer, especially if it shoot BBs.
Keep the 5-screw Smith. Buy the dad-gummed BB gun if you just have to waste your money on something, but keep the Smith.
It's like my grandmother told me about land: "They're not making any more."
Keep the 5-screw Smith. Buy the dad-gummed BB gun if you just have to waste your money on something, but keep the Smith.
It's like my grandmother told me about land: "They're not making any more."
The first "kit" guns were made on the I frame. They were basically the .22/32 heavy frame target guns with a 4" barrel instead of the 6" target barrel.
The very funny part of this whole story is that the .22/32 was born because S&W at the time only had the M frame .22 hand ejector revolver commonly referred to as the Ladysmith. Dealer Phil Bekeart suggested to S&W that they should build a bigger .22 target revolver and felt that the I frame would be a better platform. The I frame was at that time being used by the larger .32 caliber line. This is why they are called the .22/32 as they are a .22 built on a .32 frame with a 6" barrel. In the 1930's, near the end of the life of the .22/32 HFT's, it was felt that a shorter version with a 4" barrel might be a hit. It was, and the "kit gun" was born.
I just find it humorous that in the beginning it was a short M frame .22 revolver that morphed into the .22/32 HFT and after being around for 20+ years as a 6" target gun, it morphed back into a small .22 revolver.
The very funny part of this whole story is that the .22/32 was born because S&W at the time only had the M frame .22 hand ejector revolver commonly referred to as the Ladysmith. Dealer Phil Bekeart suggested to S&W that they should build a bigger .22 target revolver and felt that the I frame would be a better platform. The I frame was at that time being used by the larger .32 caliber line. This is why they are called the .22/32 as they are a .22 built on a .32 frame with a 6" barrel. In the 1930's, near the end of the life of the .22/32 HFT's, it was felt that a shorter version with a 4" barrel might be a hit. It was, and the "kit gun" was born.
I just find it humorous that in the beginning it was a short M frame .22 revolver that morphed into the .22/32 HFT and after being around for 20+ years as a 6" target gun, it morphed back into a small .22 revolver.
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