S&W Pre Model 18??

[Red_45]

I wondered if anyone could help me identify what I have. Of course a letter from S&W could tell me, but i am puzzled here. I bought years ago what was to be a model 18 .22lr., that is what they told me it was. The store I bought it from carried many older guns, and were known for good identification. It is definately older, it is a 5 screw and pinned barrel, square butt K frame,
serial # (K) 1929**, the inside of the crane simply has
"82247" written on it, with a N above it, and a 7 below it. The trigger has the wide target trigger attached (maybe added later?) it is in excellent shape, maybe unfired. Anyone have any idea of the year, and since there isnt a definate model marking, would it be a pre model 18, 22 combat masterpeice, K 22, i have heard of all these models. I am considering selling it , not shure, also considering getting a letter from S&W for it. Anyone have any ideas?? thank so much.

 

[P&R Fan]

That number dates to 1953, so yes, it is a Pre M18. That is assuming a 4" barrel, ramp front and adjustable rear sight.
These are highly collectible. We'd all like to see pictures.
Jim

 

[samandglove1]

They are great and hard to find revolvers. Are the stocks original to the gun?

 

[H Richard]

Does it look like this?

Correct nomenclature is a K22 Combat Masterpiece. This one is vintage 1953.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Yep, that would be a 22 Combat Masterpiece. They are very fine revolvers. Mine is the best shooting handgun I have. It hits what you point it at with such regularity that it gets boring...a perfect gun with just enough wear to carry and not feel bad about, but nice enough to enjoy how pretty it is.

When you say that it has "the wide target trigger attached", do you mean that it is a separate part placed over the trigger and held on with screws? A couple of companies made after market trigger shoes--this was not a factory item as far as I know.

The factory of course would ship the gun with a wide target trigger if ordered that way, or one could have been installed later.

Here is mine, by serial number dating to 1951, next to my 1947 Masterpiece, which lettered as having shipped to Abercrombie & Fitch in December of that year. Note the difference in sights--the 6 inch Masterpiece has a Patridge, the 4 inch CM has a Baughman ramp.

Please post pictures of your 22 CM if you can!

 

[Red_45]

So I would properly call this a K22 combat masterpeice, thank you so much I thought that is what I have. The store called it pre model 18. And it is from 1953, very interesting! (the serial number is (K) 1929**, I see 5 screws , adjustable rear sights and a front ramp, K frame, pinned barrel, a 4 inch barrel, the grips appear original but cant be 100%, the cylinder and barrel appear unfired, just a slight ring wear on the cylinder. What i really thought was neat , the serial number is also on the bottom of the barrel, wear the ejector rod is. I have never seen that. Here are a few pictures, thanks so much to all of you, this is almost as good as talking to Roy Jinks! The picture of the trigger shows the extra part attached to the trigger with screws, making it a "wide" trigger. I assume this was added after they bought it.

 

[fat tom]

the grips appear original but cant be 100%

Just remove the grips and look at the inside of the right grip panel. The numbers stamped there should correspond to your gun's serial number. If the numbers are different,or less frequently,un-numbered at all,the grips are not original.
f.t.

p.s. The serial number should also appear on the rear cylinder face and the rear (inside) of the extractor star.

 

[Red_45]

matching grips

4 inch barrel? I looked up K22 masterpiece, I saw none with a 4 inch barrel, though one post referred to a early version with a 4 inch barrel but the front sight was differrent. Is mine unusual with the 4 inch barrel and ramp front site?good news for me on the grips, the grips have the same serial number on them (well, one grip has the serial number the other one doesnt have anything). It also has the matching serial number on the cylinder face, and the inside of the extractor star, that is amazinbg to me, I have a lot of S&W revolvers, I have never seen one with the serial numbers in these places. Thank you so much for pointing that out.I looked on some auction sites, I saw some K22 masterpieces but none in a 4 inch barrel. I may, (but may not) sell it for my property taxes....is it kinda a open book on the value? any suggestions?

 

[P&R Fan]

That is called a "trigger shoe". It was added after it left the factory. It can be removed, if you want, with a very small Allen wrench.
The reason you have never seen a K-22 like this advertised is because when most people say K-22 they are usually referring to a M17, or it's Pre model, which usually has a 6" or 8 3/8" barrel. The .22 Combat Masterpiece is also a K-22, but most people just don't call it that as often, even though it is actually a K-22.
Jim

 

[Red_45]

thanks Jim, and I now see the 4 inch K22 was made 1948-1955, makes sense a member mentioned mine was 1953. Its hard to look these up online, they call them 3 or 4 different things, the store I bought it from simply called it a model 18. Good for me though, I have learned a lot in my post here.

 

[samandglove1]

To get a sense of auction prices, try searching for "pre 18" on gunbroker or auction arms. Good luck.

 

[CajunBass]

They're neat guns aren't they?

Here's mine from 1954.

 

[Sebago Son]

These are fine guns and collectible, but you probably won't be going to Monte Carlo after you sell it.

It's condition looks extra nice, but did you say you have the correct box, tools and paperwork?

If you are going to sell this, you should list it in the classifieds. You can ask whatever price you want, and you'll find out pretty quick what others will pay. But in my view, without the box and goodies I bet that when money actually changes hands I doubt that you'll be seeing anything close to $1,000. Probably a couple of hundred less than that...

Drew

 

[bigmoose]

Great looking K-22 Combat Masterpiece. I agree with Sebago Son as to value and listing it here in the classifieds, if you decide to sell.

 

[gr8smiles]

I had 4 of these and traded one off today. It had been reblued, had light strikes, and the hammer and trigger were not original. Probably was my worst GB purchase. I did trade towards a nice Python. The three I have are complete with original boxes and goodies. I have around 800+- in each of them. These tend to run a little higher than a corresponding pre 17s as there were less made. They are a little harder to find. Like Sebago said, you would probably have good luck offering it here, but
without the box and docs, you would probably not reach record prices. FYI, all the pre model Smith revolvers are marked with the serial number in multiple places. They are sought after guns and many here do collect them. Oftentimes, the pre 18s are mismarked as they were not as popular or as many made as the pre17s.

 

[Hondo44]

Just FYI, stamping all major parts with the serial number was phased out just as Model # stamping was phased in c. 1957-58. Full numbering pre war and early post war includes 8 locations:
Front and rear sight (both hidden when installed and were discontinued first),
Butt, barrel, cylinder, under extractor, back side of yoke when looking thru one chamber (with flashlight) and inside right grip only.

 

[Red_45]

The stamping of serial numbers, is amazing to me, out of the 30 or 40 revolvers i have owned only this one has that. I never noticed that. There is so much craftmanship in this k22. Most my revolvers were 1969 and on. I recently sold two of my nicer S&W's, one a Post Office .22LR, with letter from Roy Jinks, mine was a "parts gun" assembled from remaining parts and sold too distributors, and a model 520. I needed a few bucks too buy 32 acres, at a great deal, so I have room to shoot my other guns!

 

[fyimo]

thanks Jim, and I now see the 4 inch K22 was made 1948-1955, makes sense a member mentioned mine was 1953. Its hard to look these up online, they call them 3 or 4 different things, the store I bought it from simply called it a model 18. Good for me though, I have learned a lot in my post here.

Congratulations as they are wonderful revolvers and a favorite of mine.

 

[Red_45]

Im going to go ahead and put this up for sale. I will try it here for a week, then maybe go to auction. Im asking $750, and it has to go overnight UPS to FFL, the local FFL's here dont like to ship much . Id love to see it go to a good home, but I also need the money. somebrokerdotcom (thats not a real site) is a good way to sell, but Ive never done it here I would like to try it here and see if anyone has an interest before I try it there. I will post it in the classifieds.