Pre-18 with Matte Finish?

[Fiddy5]

Newbie here. Looking for more information on a pre-18 with "matte" or low-polish(?) finish since I'm accustomed to the high polish. Just don't want to make a mistake and buy a refinished gun by mistake.

There doesnt seem to be a lot of info on the internet about this, hoping for some help here. From what I have read, it seems maybe there were some of these low-polish (if that's what they're referred to as?) made after the war up to 1955?

Much appreciated

 

[Fiddy5]

 

[Fiddy5]

 

[Fiddy5]

Thanks in advance!

 

[s&wchad]

Looks right as rain!
K-22 Masterpiece and Combat Masterpiece revolvers had a matte finish early on, but bright blue was an option. S&W later standardized on bright blue, but I'm not sure when it happened.

 

[Nightowl]

It looks like it left the factory yesterday. I see no common signs of a refinish, so if original, it has not been shot much, by the indications on the cylinder turn line. The mainspring strain screw looks like it has been backed out to lighten the trigger pull. It could have misfires until the screw is appropriately tightened. If you are wanting a .22, you better run back and buy it before its gone!!

 

[JP@AK]

That is a dandy .22 Combat Masterpiece and the finish looks correct for the vintage. I show one with a very close serial number that shipped in February, 1953. Those stocks have the tapered shoulder, which started either in early 1953 or very late 1952.

I would run, not walk, back to that store and buy it. You will have a difficult time finding its equal.

I agree with Nightowl. When you have it home, use a properly fitting screwdriver (hollow ground preferred) and snug up that strain screw.

Edit: That finish was known as Satin Blue. And yes, it was standard in the early 1950s.

 

[handejector]

S&W called it "Satin Blue".

 

[LPD256]

I have your this gun’s twin from December 1952 (my birth month). If you don’t mind, does it have a box, and can you mention the price. It looks like a beauty.

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice five screw Combat Masterpiece.
Your serial puts it in the year that they left the two front site pins "Proud" instead of polished flush, the factory also made a brief change to the grip medallions from nickel coated brass, then plastic , then raw steel, then back to nickel coated brass.
Your serial should be in the range that had the raw steel grip medallions IIRC.
The change from Satin blue back to a "Bright blue" finish occurred around 1954.

Btw Your hammer style is known as the "S&W High Speed Hammer".
If you are interested in the CM evolution here is a link to a thread that details their changes
Scroll down to post 26 to start the tour.

Some Combat Masterpiece eye candy

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Good Looking Gun!
One I would like to have!

 

[19leben]

Looks new to me dang that’s one of my favorite guns. In both 22 and .38 Special.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fiddy5]

Very much appreciated, folks. I did make the purchase. Not so sure it was a "good deal" or not but given the condition and fact I didn't yet have a Satin Blue finish example, I figured the $1200 was at least fair. No box or papers, unfortunately.

 

[larryofcc]

Very much appreciated, folks. I did make the purchase. Not so sure it was a "good deal" or not but given the condition and fact I didn't yet have a Satin Blue finish example, I figured the $1200 was at least fair. No box or papers, unfortunately.

Both available on Ebay from time to time. Big Larry

 

[Dvus]

In that condition, I don't think you overpaid. Very fine acquisition!

 

[DWalt]

In the postwar period, and up until some time the mid-1950s, the dull blued finish (satin blue) was standard, except for, I believe, the .357 Magnum. But the polished bright blue finish was available as an extra-cost option for other models.

While yours was indeed made prior to the beginning of Model numbering in 1958-59, it was never called a pre-Model 18 by S&W. It was officially cataloged as the “.22 Combat Masterpiece” before the use of model numbers began. Occasionally, these are seen referred to as the “K-22 (or K-38) Combat Masterpiece,” but that is not the name used by S&W.

 

[Inland7-45]

About 15 years ago I finally bought the K-22 Masterpiece that I had wanted for a long time. A small LGS that sold mostly C&R stuff had a 1950 vintage K-22.

While examining the gun I noticed that the finish was a satin almost charcoal color , not the deep shiny blue that my 18-3 had. The lesson learned that day was that this would be the standard blue on most K and I frame guns from the first post war restart until the mid 50’s. My next purchase was a 1945 or 46 production M&P made from in process Victory Model parts. This gun had the same finish as my K

This .22 CM looks really nice. I really like the older features such as the pinned on ramp, dark walnut stocks with center diamond and speed hammer. The satin blue is still an attractive finish that shows off the kind of workmanship that went into these guns. While I would love to find an early 50’s .22 CM I am grateful that I found a nice .22 Masterpiece from that time frame. I enjoy shooting this gun along with my 17-3, 18-3, 34-1 and Colt .22 Peacemaker.

Better grab this one before it’s gone.

 

[monsai52]

I much prefer the "satin Blue" of the early post war guns to the high polish.

Best regards,

 

[Camster]

I have your this gun’s twin from December 1952 (my birth month). If you don’t mind, does it have a box, and can you mention the price. It looks like a beauty.

I need that gun. I also entered the world in December of 1952.