S&W K-22 Need help figuring out how old?

[BossHogg]

Hello everyone,

My father asked me to help him figure out how old his S&W K-22 is. He gave me the serial number, which is K3971XX. Can someone tell me how old this thing is?

thanks!

 

[P&R Fan]

Catalog says it was born in 1960. Welcome to the forum!

 

[linde]

It looks like 1960 and will likely be stamped Model 17.

 

[wdhdoc]

1960 per SCSW making it 50 years old.

 

[BossHogg]

Thanks for helping out!

 

[allinthexring]

Anyone familiar with a gold boxed K-22, more black than blue finish marked "made in USA " but without the usual "marcas registratas" ?

 

[murphydog]

Anyone familiar with a gold boxed K-22, more black than blue finish marked "made in USA " but without the usual "marcas registratas" ?

The single "Made In USA" line was typical of pre-war guns and the so-called "transitional" guns, from 1946 to 1948. If the box and gun are matched, it probably has a K prefix with a small number, 4 or five digits.

 

[DCWilson]

AllintheXring, welcome to the forum.

Guns with the "marcas registradas" label have four lines in the address block. Before that roll marking began, Smith & Wesson revolvers had a single line address block that read "Made in U.S.A." The transition occurred in mid 1948, so if you have a single line address block, your gun was manufactured before then.

Can you share the serial number with us? X out the last two digits if you want, like K123xx. Maybe we can get a little closer on the shipping date.

Photos are nice, too. Don't be afraid to start your own thread for your own revolver.