Questions about 1948 K22 Masterpiece

[larryofcc]

I don't think it was mentioned here, but a letter will not distinguish between non relieved and relieved stocks.I have a few that just say walnut or Goncalo Alves target stocks. Big Larry

 

[glowe]

Sorry,. thanks for the correction Charlie. It is said that the K22 Masterpiece revolvers went out the door faster than they could be manufactured in the early years of production, and there is always the chance that the gun could have shipped the next year, but unlikely sat in inventory for two years. The last K frame revolver made in 1948 73,121. My K22 was made in shipped in December 1948 and had serial number K61189. It also has a 4 line address. The 4 line address started around K30,000 to K40,000, or around mid-1948, so about half the 1948 production was MADE IN USA.

You are correct that ship dates are what is normally used in historical letters. I think this is mostly because there were not too many models of S&W that have an associated manufacture date. K frame revolvers, on the other hand did have a published list of manufacture dates from 1946 to 1981.

Just a quick add: I love these images from the factory and while it only shows a very small amount of finished S&Ws that probably existed on that day, it is easy to see why they did not bother to ship in serial number order.

 

[Babysitr]

Thanks, Charlie and Gary.. and others...all this knowledge is why I'm here daily!...

 

[handejector]

Theoretically, non-numbered stocks in those days should have meant the gun did not come from the factory with them,

There seems to be a growing misconception that a LOT of Target grips were numbered to guns if they shipped on them.
This is NOT the case, and NEVER was.
I suppose there is some misinterpreted wording in SCSW that may have caused that. I've also noticed that a few "new guys" in the last few years (who may have gotten the idea from SCSW) have probably promoted that misconception by constantly asking people posting their guns with Target grips if the grips are numbered to the gun.
Here is the ONLY time Target grips were numbered to guns:
When the Factory introduced three "premium" models in the mid 50s that were going to ship standard with Target grips, some of the very earliest specimens of those models had fitted and numbered grips. Those three models were the Combat Magnum, the Model of 1955 Target .45, and, I THINK a very few of the earliest 44 Magnums.
The Factory VERY quickly determined that the fitting was unnecessary because only the backstrap was visible, and since they were grooved in jigs they were uniform enough to forego fitting.
It was abandoned so early, most of the grips that had been numbered for the Combat Magnums did not even get put back on the correct guns! So, IF an early Combat Magnum has numbered grips, it is quite common to find that the number does not match the gun. The same thing occured on a few early 1955 Targets.

Summary- ONLY three models in the mid 50s are ever likely to be found with numbered Target grips, and only the very earliest examples at that.

What I was thinking was that because the OP gun is a 4 line address, that makes it after 1948 for sure,

The four line address was ordered in April, 1948, so it is safe to say that many, many guns were built in 1948 with the four line address.

I also based my statements somewhat on my own K 22 Masterpiece, which Lettered as a August 1947 shipment, but the invoice shows a "1946" gun, and with serial number K 905, I like to think it may truly have been manufactured in 1946, but not shipped until the following year.

I do not think the "1946" refers to the date of manufacture, but rather an internal Factory designation for what was a new model at the time.

 

[handejector]

K frame revolvers, on the other hand did have a published list of manufacture dates from 1946 to 1981.

There is such a published list to 1983 actually if you use the latest edition of Roy's History of S&W, and it is correct 99.9% of the time, but I'd never bet my life on it, and advise you not to.

 

[chiefdave]

Looks very nice for the price. Usually a $450 K22 looks like a trot line weight. I wonder if that shortened barrel was done at the factory on a special order? Let everyone know what you find out.

 

[Hawg Rider]

My '48 K-22

Here's my '48 K-22, 3rd Model, s/n K40403. Well used and worn (85%+ bluing), but still tight, accurate, and fun to shoot. Picked this up a local gun show a few years ago for $500.

 

[Pauly67]

Babysitr, you did extremely well on that buy. Grips alone tell a great story by their condition. I agree that it MAY have shipped with them but only a Letter would tell. You don't often see original diamond, non-relieved K frame Targets for sale alone, at least I don't anymore.

I love that configuration on an early Masterpiece. My K22 Masterpiece Letters as shipping in 1947, however the invoice that came with the Letter, shows it described as a 1946 gun. The stocks (Magna's) are numbered to the gun, but for shooting I "cheat" and use a spare set of K frame football relieved Targets.

Whatever you do, take that gun to the range. Mine is actually smoother (to my feel) and slightly more accurate than my Model 17-3, with whatever factory 22 ammo I'm running that day.

Enjoy for sure....you are way ahead money wise.

Hi Charlie B,

I am new to the forum. My dad passed away last June and I inherited a 1952 K-22 Masterpiece serial # 165xxx in great condition and a beautiful shooter!!

It has the Target S&W grips, semi target hammer and not sure about target trigger, but there is no diamond where the screw goes through. Your pics in this post were the first time I saw this anywhere on the forum. Are these remakes or were some of the target grips made this way?? I have attached your picture from your post and a few pics of my K22. Appreciate any input!!
Paul

NOTE- The first picture I posted with only the grips were the ones in your post!!

 

[cmansguns]

hopefully correct answers for Pauly67 in post #29

Hello Pauly67 and welcome to the Forum from Virginia;

The grips that came on my K22 Masterpiece (s/n 905) are called Magnas. As I posted if I'm shooting this gun I usually use some "football" relief Targets.

You inherited a very nice K 22 Masterpiece from your Dad. If your serial number has a K prefix, then the s/n 165XXX does put that gun about 1952. I personally do not think those grips shipped with that gun in 1952 (or whenever it did ship....only a Factory Letter will tell you when it actually shipped and where to).

The way I understand it from reading SCSW 4th is that K frame guns starting mid to late 1950's were available with "football" Targets. The football shape is actually a cut-out because the extractor would hangup with spent shell rims hitting the left panel thus putting wear on the grip itself. Obviously this was not the case with 22's (rim fire) but was a problem with M&P (later Model 10), and other 38 Special (model 14, 15) and also the 357 Magnum (Model 19) which are also K frames. By the mid 1970's grips like yours started to be available and these have the big cut-out specifically made for speed loaders, again...not necessary for a 22 but essential to LEO's and Agencies running wheelguns for duty in centerfire calibers.

The football relief Targets I have came off an older early 60's Model 14, but fit like a glove on my 1947 K 22 Masterpiece so I use them to keep the numbered to the gun original Magnas safe and secure.

Keep yours too...…...the speed loader grips are always in demand by other Collectors and your Dad evidently liked to punch some paper and those Targets do give a little better control in my opinion.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Here is what I have in my notes on Masterpiece Target stocks. Your stocks were most likely purchased over the counter somewhere in the 1970s or later. The large football reliefs are from 1965 to 1969.

K frame Targets
• Early non relieved late-1948 to 1955
• Small relief cut sharp checkering turn 1954 to 1961
• Small relief rounded checkering turn 1961 to 1965
• Larger football relief in walnut or GA 1965 to 1967
• Diamonds were eliminated around 1969.

 

[Pauly67]

K22 Masterpiece original box & magna grips

Hello Pauly67 and welcome to the Forum from Virginia;

The grips that came on my K22 Masterpiece (s/n 905) are called Magnas. As I posted if I'm shooting this gun I usually use some "football" relief Targets.

You inherited a very nice K 22 Masterpiece from your Dad. If your serial number has a K prefix, then the s/n 165XXX does put that gun about 1952. I personally do not think those grips shipped with that gun in 1952 (or whenever it did ship....only a Factory Letter will tell you when it actually shipped and where to).

The way I understand it from reading SCSW 4th is that K frame guns starting mid to late 1950's were available with "football" Targets. The football shape is actually a cut-out because the extractor would hangup with spent shell rims hitting the left panel thus putting wear on the grip itself. Obviously this was not the case with 22's (rim fire) but was a problem with M&P (later Model 10), and other 38 Special (model 14, 15) and also the 357 Magnum (Model 19) which are also K frames. By the mid 1970's grips like yours started to be available and these have the big cut-out specifically made for speed loaders, again...not necessary for a 22 but essential to LEO's and Agencies running wheelguns for duty in centerfire calibers.

The football relief Targets I have came off an older early 60's Model 14, but fit like a glove on my 1947 K 22 Masterpiece so I use them to keep the numbered to the gun original Magnas safe and secure.

Keep yours too...…...the speed loader grips are always in demand by other Collectors and your Dad evidently liked to punch some paper and those Targets do give a little better control in my opinion.

Thanks for the replies guys! After reading your feedback, I wanted to dig deeper, since my Dad was always so organized with most things especially his guns. I happened to be looking through his pistol permit folder and I came across a letter he sent to the historian at S&W.....In the letter he said he was in possession of the original box, so i knew it had to be somewhere and we just moved my mom in the fall so i was worried it may have got tossed in the madness of moving. I remembered there were two hunting boxes marked hunting supplies that I hadn't gone through yet. Well low and behold.... at the bottom of the box was the original k-22 masterpiece box with the matching original serial# magna grips, along with oil paper and other paperwork!! I also found a second pair of target grips like the ones on the gun now. I took it to the shooting range on Wednesday and really enjoyed shooting it!!