S&W K22

[rman]

I've been looking for an older Model 17 to replace one I foolishly sold a number of years ago. That one I bought new in the 60's. I recently located and purchased a used K22. The serial number is K 192xxx and it is located on the butt, rear of the cylinder and the inside of the right grip panel. It has the screw at the front of the trigger guard and the narrow-ribbed, pinned 6" barrel with Patridge front and adjustable rear sights. The hammer spur is upswept and it does not have a target trigger or hammer. It came with standard grips and a gold box with the little tips flier, a cleaning rod (no brush) and a S&W screwdriver. The box is marked K22 Masterpiece, but the serial number is not on the box. I'd guess the gun is in around 85-90% condition. The cylinder is lined from the bolt dragging and there is some holster wear at the muzzle. It's not pitted and the barrel and cylinder look good. The cylinder locks up good and from the feel of it, I think it was carried in a holster a lot more than it was shot. I know a picture would be helpful, but I don't have any at the moment. I'll try to post some tomorrow. I'd like to know its born on date and some idea of its value. I'm guessing it was made somewhere between 1952 and 1954. The pawn shop was asking $699, but I bought it for $600. I don't know if it was a good deal or not, but I would have paid the $699, because I really wanted it.

 

[arjay]

1953 according to SCSW.I think you did ok on the price,I paid a little over 5 for this 5 screw and it was wearing pachs.

 

[Memphis]

Let me be the first to tell you, "you did just fine". I would have been all over that gun especially at that price.
Nice gun, box, extras... it's a no brainer.
We wanna see pics!!

Roger

 

[rman]

Thanks guys! I'll get some pictures up tomorrow.

 

[model70hunter]

You did very well. I had 3 but sold down to one, the most accurate one. I bought them around that price 4 plus years ago and sold them for over $7 a few years ago.

Mine were just the K-22's, no boxes.

 

[DCWilson]

A good score. Congratulations.

I have K196446, which shipped in December 1953. Unless your gun sat in inventory for a few months, it probably shipped late that year.

 

[JP@AK]

Yep. You did well. I'd have been all over that one at that price, myself.
Pictures! Soon!
You don't own this gun until you show it to us . . .

 

[JP@AK]

1953 according to SCSW.I think you did ok on the price,I paid a little over 5 for this 5 screw and it was wearing pachs.

Yeah. But that is a CM. Even better!

Nice Magna stocks, BTW.

 

[arjay]

Ive been watching for a masterpiece for awhile and this cm showed up.I couldn't resist

 

[rman]

1953 according to SCSW.I think you did ok on the price,I paid a little over 5 for this 5 screw and it was wearing pachs.

That one is also on my want list - Very nice revolver! I'd even settle for a newer, 4 screw Model 18.

 

[mtgianni]

In my area it would have been listed at $899. Nice find.

 

[rman]

It did happen - here's the photos

Here are the pictures, as promised. Sorry, I'm not much of a photographer. Some of these came out with the wrong orientation.I also noticed when I was taking the photos, that there is a serial number stamped on the barrel, under the ejector rod that matches the rest of the numbers on the gun. I'm kind of in a quandary now - I bought it as a shooter, thinking it was Model 17. Now I'm not so sure I want to use it. It may be a safe queen.

 

[beagleye]

That's crazy talk! Shoot it.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I'd rate that Smith as a "very nice" shooter grade...... shoot it take care of it and it will last you and your Kids a couple of lifetimes!

Collectors are really looking for 95% + guns for their safe queens!!!!

besides it's your only one!

 

[series guy]

The serial numbers were written on the bottom of the box in white grease pencil. Could be hard to see but look closely in different lights. You really want to shoot this gun as it will bring you much joy.

 

[JP@AK]

I bought it as a shooter, thinking it was Model 17. Now I'm not so sure I want to use it. It may be a safe queen.

Oh, for pity sake. These were made to be shot. You won't do it any harm by shooting it and that is a whole lot more enjoyable than leaving it in the safe and looking at it from time to time. Just clean it after shooting and store it properly. Shooting it will not be bad for it. Just don't carry it around in a leather holster a bunch. Holsters will cause a lot more wear on older S&W bluing than shooting ever will.
Go have fun with your dandy K-22. I certainly am not going to stop shooting mine.

there is a serial number stamped on the barrel, under the ejector rod that matches the rest of the numbers on the gun.

That used to be standard practice. It was being phased out about the time your gun shipped from the factory. It was also on the rear face of the cylinder. But that was going away in the early 1950s also.

 

[rman]

OK, OK... you talked me into it. I'll shoot it and hope it is as accurate as my old Model 17. That one killed a lot of squirrels. (That was still when I had young eyes.)

 

[JP@AK]

That one killed a lot of squirrels.

Yep. They are wonderful revolvers. The first one I bought after 'Nam (not the first one I shot a lot) accounted for multiple harvests of:
rattlesnakes
jackrabbits
snowshoe hares
grouse
tin cans (when such still existed)
pie plates

It rode under the seat in my pickup and in a Hunter holster on my belt for lots of years.

 

[66Park]

OK, OK... you talked me into it. I'll shoot it and hope it is as accurate as my old Model 17. That one killed a lot of squirrels. (That was still when I had young eyes.)

You're making the right decision. My 1957 K22 is in better condition than yours. I've shot thousands of rounds through it, and it looks exactly the same as when I bought it. For me, shooting that superbly accurate K22 is about as much fun as a guy can have.