Questions for the K-22 Experts

[MGWLLW]

Hi guys. I’ve been a member of the forum for years, but don’t post much. I have some questions regarding my 1948 K-22 Masterpiece and was hoping that I could take advantage of the wealth of knowledge on this board regarding all things Smith & Wesson. So here goes:

The trigger and hammer seem oversized. Can I assume that they were upgraded by a previous owner to the “target” variety?

As I understand it, the original grips should be numbered on the inside of the right grip. Unfortunately, I cannot find a number, even though I broke out my magnifying glass. So these are apparently replacement grips. Are these current grips of the correct era, and if not, what grips do I need to purchase in order for this revolver to be cosmetically “correct” for 1948?

I have several Lend-Lease and Victory revolvers that all have lanyards that are almost in the center of the butt. This pistol was drilled for a lanyard, but the hole is located extremely forward of center. I’ve never seen anything like this before. So does this appear to be a “bubba” modification (based on it’s location) or could it have been done at the factory during production?

Thanking you in advance for your help with my questions, and yes, when able to, I’m going to order a letter for this gun. It’s in really nice condition for its age and something that I’d like to pass along to my son some day.

Mike

 

[MGWLLW]

Forgot to mention that I have this box that it came in. No tools or contents inside except for the vintage packing paper. The serial number written on the box (62584) matches the gun (62584).

 

[Gunhohulk]

Those grips appear to be pre war magnas and are worth some cashola. They could still be original to the gun as I’ve seen a few examples of early post war guns that came with them.

 

[JP@AK]

That is very nice. Your K-22 Masterpiece almost certainly shipped in 1950. That makes the target hammer possible. The trigger, however, is an aftermarket addition. The hammer could be aftermarket also; a letter will tell you for sure.

As you suspected, the swivel hole is in an odd place. I suspect this was not done by the factory. It is well executed, however.

The stocks are wonderful. Those are the prewar style Magnas and have some real value of their own. 1950 is much too late for them to be original.

One great thing about this package is the original gold box.

Do let us know what you find out when you get the SWHF letter.

 

[JP@AK]

[The stocks] could still be original to the gun as I’ve seen a few examples of early post war guns that came with them.

Highly doubtful. Some M&P revolvers shipping in March and April 1946 had the prewar Magna stocks. I have never seen any confirmed of that style shipped later than that.

 

[MGWLLW]

Your K-22 Masterpiece almost certainly shipped in 1950.

Thank you for all of your wonderful insight and answers to my questions, Jack; it's sincerely appreciated!

However, please explain to me the 1950 shipping date observation

I thought that my serial number falls within the 1948 range, with 1950 not beginning until K84150

 

[JP@AK]

However, please explain to me the 1950 shipping date observation
I thought that my serial number falls within the 1948 range, with 1950 not beginning until K84150

A fair question. Here are examples from my database (confirmed ship dates).
K60241 K-22 Masterpiece, December 1949
K61071 K-22 Masterpiece, March 1950
K61357 K-22 Masterpiece, July 1949
K61428 K-22 Masterpiece, March 1950
K63672 K-22 Masterpiece, February 1950

Assembly, however, could have been earlier, as illustrated by these ship dates:
K63717 K-22 Masterpiece, November 1948
K61189 K-22 Masterpiece, December 1948
K65466 K-22 Masterpiece, January 1949
K64778 K-22 Masterpiece, April 1949
K65549 K-22 Masterpiece, July 1949

As you can see, serial number order has little to do with the ship date. And for S&W, the ship date is the "birth date."

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Have a Matte Finish 6 inch.
Don’t recall ever seeing the 4 inch.
But that’s a Gun I would like to have!

 

[red9]

I believe that serial number should have come standard with the "fishhook" hammer, with the spur curving upward. But, as Jack indicated, the optional target hammer could be original. The correct grips would be the early post-war "sharp shoulder" style. Not scarce and worth a lot less than the pre-war magnas that you have.


Bob

 

[RKmesa]

Looks like a fun gun. I agree that it almost certainly shipped with the standard "speed hammer" (as noted on the top of the box lid), which is sometimes referred to as a "fishhook" hammer. Also as noted, at some time in its past, it had a "butt swivel". A letter will also tell you if it shipped with the swivel. AND the grips are for a pre-war gun (pre-war checkering pattern, pre-war stock circles, pre-war cup indents on the back sides to fit over the rounded pre-war screw head and and exposed rebound spring stud) - very nice!!! As to the date of shipping, based on dated K-22s in my collection, I think it probable that it shipped in 1949 (I have K55062 and K56876 shipping in November 1948 with K71488 confirmed shipping in April 1949), but Jack has a MUCH MORE comprehensive database than I do.

 

[DARE]

Here is my 1949 shipped gun. Probably the original hammer and trigger on yours looked like this.

 

[glowe]

Roy Jinks published manufacture dates for post-WWII K frames in the past. He stated that K18732 to K73121 guns were manufactured in 1948. I have K61189 K-22 that shipped in December 1948. Knowing that serial numbers are tricky with S&W, I would still venture my guess that your gun would have most likely shipped in 1950. The company did rely on ship dates from their log books and the Historical Foundation uses those dates for their letters. Most models did not have any records of when the guns were manufactured, but there is a list of manufacturing dates for the K series and a few other models available. I wonder if the lanyard ring could have been factory in your gun? It is expertly done and with the serial number and "K" it seems to be in the best place possible?? I would mention that issue and send the picture you posted above with your letter request. I agree with those who state that pre-WWII stocks would not have been a factory option in 1948/1949.

Below is a picture of an original K22 Masterpiece to show what hammer and trigger was standard as well as the standard Magna stocks numbered to the gun.