Shags120

[Shags120]

Hi
New to this forum,just inherited a smith k22
Serial number k56679, 5 screws in side plate,no model number on yoke,blued finish,barrel is 5 7/8 long ,newer adjustable rear sight, 22 long rifle ctg on right side of barrel,the inside of the barrel looks hexagonal ,,, any help as to age and value of this weapon ,,thanks ,,, I was thinking of giving it to my grandson as his first gun ,when he is a little older ,,he is 6 now,, or keep this and bestow my ruger single six to him
Chuck Singer

 

[JP@AK]

Hello Chuck and welcome to the Forum.

Your K-22 Masterpiece is from 1948. Model numbered guns were not on the market until 1958, so yours is from a decade before the K-22 was called the Model 17.

Your revolver has the nominal 6" barrel, which was the only length available on the K-22 Masterpiece.

These are wonderful pieces of equipment and passing it down to a grandson someday is a great idea.

You haven't indicated the gun's condition, so a value estimate cannot be made. You might try posting some pictures for us to look at. If the condition is anywhere near the top end, the price is going to be $700 plus. And there is nowhere to go but up. No one will ever make another gun like the early K-22.

 

[andy52]

First off welcome to the forum. The barrel is measured from the forcing cone to the end and is probably 6 inches. What your seeing on the inside is the rifling it's really not hexagonal. Your K22 is a early model made around 1948.

Jack was faster on the reply then I was.

 

[Green Frog]

Welcome! You come to the table with a very nice S&W indeed. My K-22 (also referred to as the "Masterpiece") is one of my favorite guns to shoot. The K-22 is loved by many and as JP@AK said, value can vary quite a bit by condition, but in great condition with 95% or so bluing intact and matching grips $700 or so would be a reasonable place to start. Original box and contents would add to the total.

In case the term is foreign to you, "matching grips" are the ones that originally came on the gun from the factory... in this case, the square bottomed Magna style with the serial number stamped inside of the right hand grip panel.

FYI, your K-22 almost certainly has the early, tapered barrel with narrow rib, giving it a graceful look I especially admire. When you say "newer adjustable rear sight" I assume you are referring to the factory micrometer adjustable sight used on all S&W post war target revolvers, right? Anything else will probably have a somewhat negative effect on the value of the gun, but probably not a great deal.

Again welcome aboard. If you want to post pictures of your gun (we love pictures here) the directions are found in several places and it is easy to do.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[chiefdave]

K 52276 shipped in October, 1948 so late '48 or early '49 would be close to the ship date on your revolver. S&W prices are somewhat regional and around here a 95% K22 would bring $850 or so with the early postwar brushed finish.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

I believe your grandson will find the Ruger single six a better fit. A single action is a good handgun for youngsters to learn to shoot with as well. Later once he learns the basics of safety and good shooting, he can 'graduate' to the DA K22. And make it another Xmas present.

I starting teaching my GS to shoot at 6 with a Ruger Bearcat .22. Their ability to learn at that age is phenomenal and what they learn is permanent, like safety!