pre-war K22s

[pastorp]

I'm developing a interest in pre-war K22s. What advise would you give to someone who is not new to guns but new to collecting in this area.

I must admit I really have never focused on a specific model before but always just bought what ever caught my fancy. Oh and I might add I'm not wealthy, but since the kids are all grown do have some disposable income. Thanks, Byron

 

[pastorp]

I'm developing a interest in pre-war K22s. What advise would you give to someone who is not new to guns but new to collecting in this area.

I must admit I really have never focused on a specific model before but always just bought what ever caught my fancy. Oh and I might add I'm not wealthy, but since the kids are all grown do have some disposable income. Thanks, Byron

 

[Speedo2]

Only 2 basic models of pre-war K-22's; the "Outdoorsman", made from around 1930 to 1939 (maybe up to 1940) and the "Masterpiece", made 1940 and 1941. Only around 1060 (...well 1061 to be exact) of the later ones made, and they're currently bringing big bucks. Last one I saw for sale was down at the Louisville, KY show; Dave Carole had one for around $2700, IIRC. But it was nice and it even had ivory grips; it may have been one of the better deals at that show. Some forum members here have a few of them; BDGreen has a couple that are especially nice that perhaps he may show. I lucked into one a few years ago, but it's no great shakes; just a really good shooter (...when I can see its sights). Outdoorsmen (?) used to be fairly common, but lately seem to be drying up and getting to be a bit spendy as well. I think that for around $800 to $1000 you could get a nice one, but I really haven't seen any for sale in a while, so I may be a bit out of touch. Boxes for either one are quite rare. For the pre-war Masterpiece, they're over a grand and probably a bit less than half that for an Outdoorsman box. Well, there; I've exhausted my knowledge of pre-war K-22's. There are several others around here that know a lot more than I do on the subject; hopefully they'll add something here and provide whatever corrections are necessary to my ramblings. Good luck with your pursuit, but be forewarned: K-22's are extremely addictive. Here's my pre-wars:
K-22 Masterpiece; sn 6829xx (one of the earliest, I believe):

Here's its dark side:

And an old photo of my Outdoorsman, sn 6743xx:

 

[pastorp]

Thanks for the informative post Speedo2. I bought a outdoorsman last year from M17 that was shipped to my hometown PD in 1935. I was especially interested in this gun because I was taught shooting and gun safety by our local PD rangermaster as a kid. I am still trying to find any connections between this gun and any officers my family may know. This research is complicated by the considerable distance from my hometown that I now live at. Thanks for the info, Byron

 

[rburg]

Well, that covered it pretty well. There are some sub-model differences, but nothing all that important to a shooter. To collectors, the prices get pretty high when condition approaches perfect. You'll see differences in front and rear sights. Some Outdoorsman's have Hump Back Hammers. Some of both have service grips, others Magna's. Some of the ones with service grips have factory grip adapters (thats expensive and sought after for some reason.)

When you start including the box or the other accessories, the price more than doubles. With the Outdoorsman's, its the screwdriver thats hard to find. With the 2nd models (Masterpieces), its the box thats scarce.

 

[H Richard]

Could you give a short list of the "differences" between the Outdoorsman and the Masterpiece? I have a 17-4 and a 17-6 and am also looking to expand m accumulation of K22's.

Thanks

 

[pastorp]

Thanks to you all. One more question though, Is there any good books that deal with these guns. Thanks again, Byron

 

[rburg]

The Supica & Nahas, Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd edition.

The K22 1st model (Outdoorsman's) and the K22 2nd (Masterpiece) are very similar in many respects. They're both based on the K target prewar frame, which is shared by the M&P target and the 32-20 target. They made a bunch of them.

The K22 2nd was the first one built on the now standard short action. It also incorporated the modern post war rear sight. Other than that, they're nearly identical. The difference in price is caused by there being about 20 times a many Outdoorsman's as there are Masterpieces. None of us have any clue as to the survival rates of either.

Of course the box they shipped in was different, with the huge difference being the words "Outdoorsman's Revolver" or "Masterpiece."

The 2nd model also shipped with a larger, postwar type screwdriver. I guess it would be more correct to say the postwar guns had K22 2nd screwdrivers...

Just a guess here (Bruce, where are you hiding?) is that the screwdrivers supplied were probably nickel plated, like the small ones supplied with K22 1st models.

 

[Onomea]

Pastorp, this deal is for you: http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/511103904/m/8161056592

Very fair price in my opinion.

Whoops! Scarfed up a few minutes after I posted...

 

[pastorp]

Thanks Onomea, I too saw that in the classifieds but it was already gone. Byron