Pre Model 22?

[David.Hylton]

I ran across a well used .45 revolver today in a pawn shop. Fixed sights, thin barrel marked Model of 1950 (or something similar). S prefix serial number, and no lanyard ring or hole. No lock.

Blue is okay with some light frecking and scratches - about 75%. Grips were in good shape with some minor wear.

Is this a pre-model 22? What else should I look for? Estimated value? The dealer is asking $1250 but is willing to adjust his price.

 

[raljr1]

sounds like a pre 22, but the price seems about $400 high to me based on the condition. i am no expert, however.

 

[quinn]

I paid a grand for one that's not as nice by your description. There was a pre 22 for sale on this forum for a while. IIRC there were only about 4700 of them made, but you don't see them very often. There were only 1200 of the pre 21's but I see them much more often than the pre 22s.

 

[22hipower]

Don't think I've ever seen one for sale where I shop. If I found one as described, priced at $1250 but with a seller "willing to adjust the price" it would go home with me. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[David.Hylton]

Dang, you guys aren't making it easy on my wallet. It would be a nice partner for my Heavy Duty though.

 

[Walter Rego]

The price sounds high. I found this one at a gun show a few months ago for much less than $1250. And that is here in CA where everything seems much more expensive than the rest of the country. The gun in the pawn shop sounds like more of a $700 shooter grade. They aren't that common, but 75% condition doesn't command collector grade pricing.

 

[David.Hylton]

I went and looked at it again. Serial number is S 93072 - if I remember correctly. The serial number matches throughout. It has very light rust on the top of the frame and freckling on the right side plate. There are scratches on the 5 1/2" barrel - I thought the barrel may have been changes until the I saw the serial numbers matched. The right grip has a significant gouge between the screw and medallion.

What is the difference between a commercial M1917 and a model 22?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

What is the difference between a commercial M1917 and a model 22?

After WWII, S&W produced the M1917 Army from pre-war frames and parts. They had the new hammer block and most SN's began with S in the 209K-210K range. The Model 1950 or AKA S&W DA .45 has the short throw hammer.


Based on your description of the condition, I wouldn't touch that gun for more than $700. Your seller obviously has an inflated opinion of the gun's value and would likely be offended if I threw that number out.

 

[murphydog]

Usually most would define a "1917 Commercial" as a prewar, long action gun and the model 22 (post 1957 production) would have been a short action.

A few 1917 Army revolvers were made after WW II and before 1950, about 1000 or so, some with the new style hammer block and an S prefix to the SN (210000 number range) and some without. These would be pretty much the same mechanically as a prewar Commercial.