Smith & Wesson K-22 Outdoorsman

[NativeVegas]

Hello All

I recently inherited a few guns from an elder relative who passed. The only one I'm having trouble getting information on is a S&W K-22 Outdoorsman. I have no idea how old it is, or if it's valuable enough that I should insure it? It's in pretty good shape.

Type: Hand Ejector
Serial #: 890399
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Barrel Length: 6"
Sights: Adjustable
It does have a strain screw and 5 screws

On the top of the barrel is a patent date of Feb 6, 06, Sept 14, 00, and Dec 29, 14

Many thanks to all who can provide me any info on this revolver!

 

[Truckman]

Very nice, but I think you're reading the serial number upside down......Ben

 

[paplinker]

Hello and wecome to the forum!

I believe you might be reading it upside down. I think its 663068

Try opening the cylinder and the same number should be stamped on the end by the lip.

I believe your gun was likely shipped around 1936-37 if I am correct about the serial number.

You may consider not storing the cleaning rods in the same box as the gun. You may nick up the bluing.

 

[quinn]

Sorry for your loss, but that is a beauty! Your relative had excellent taste and obviously cared for his guns.

 

[Retired W4]

Welcome to the forum. That is a fine looking K22 Outdoorsman.

 

[RKmesa]

Hello All

I recently inherited a few guns from an elder relative who passed. The only one I'm having trouble getting information on is a S&W K-22 Outdoorsman. I have no idea how old it is, or if it's valuable enough that I should insure it? It's in pretty good shape.

There we go - I think the SN is 662068. For reference, 661107 shipped in March 1937 and 663347 shipped in July 1937, so I would expect that 662068 would have shipped sometime between March and July 1937. S&W did not always ship in serial number order, so the only way to really know when it shipped is by requesting an Historical letter.

Based on your photos showing a box with some wear and a well-cared for K-22 Outdoorsman with some holster wear on the high edges, I would put the value of the package (box and gun) at between $1,100 and $1,500.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing,

 

[NativeVegas]

Very nice, but I think you're reading the serial number upside down......Ben

Well that's just embarrassing!

 

[NativeVegas]

Thank you all for the help. I know far more now than when I started!

 

[Truckman]

Well that's just embarrassing!

Not to worry, that old font they used then was hard to read even when it was right side up...I recently had to recheck one of my own when I asked Roy for a shipping date on a Regulation Police...He came back with a date 20 years later than what I expected...I have an OptiVisor now and that problem has been corrected......Ben

 

[rct269]

As to shipping dates and values offered above, here's what's what with the two of mine (sold during the last three years ending a year or so ago).

646192 shipped March 20, 1934------sold for $2500.

659434 shipped January 28, 1937-----sold for $1750.

Both were in top condition, no box/no nothing. The rather startling discrepancy in selling price has to be explained by a King Cockeyed Hammer.

Ralph Tremaine

As an aside which may prove to be of interest, the Historical Foundation (the same folks you get the letter from) has a treasure chest chockablock full of information ranging from absolutely useless to absolutely fascinating on these guns. 646192, for example, was on order along with a 38-44 Outdoorsman for a nit picky engineer type who wrote in wanting to know about applicable heat treating. The reply (from D.B. Wesson (HIS SELF!!)) makes for very interesting and informative reading------and costs next to nothing. Last I knew, a search for such information is free, and the charge for copies of whatever may be found varies from chump change to lunch money. (I'd asked for a search on a bunch of what I'll call unremarkable pieces after having investigated the special stuff. The cupboard was bare, except for the invoices on each and every one of them. They sent copies of all those invoices for the entirely manageable fee of zip-zero-nada!!)

 

[glowe]

Factory named this revolver a K-22 Outdoors-man's revolver in an early 1930s brochure and a K-22 Target revolver in a mid-1930s Dealer's Price List flyer. Nice unmolested revolver you have there and an appropriate red picture box, albeit a well worn one. The red picture box is quite valuable by itself.

Your revolver has what is called a 2 screw rear target sight and if not adjusted correctly, you can damage it. The original target sights from earler K frame models had a single sight elevation screw that adjusted the sight up or down. These sights allegedly moved when shooting, so a second "locking" screw was added in front of the adjusting screw. If you are going to shoot the gun, it is important to screw the locking screw up before adjusting the elevation screw. When the elevation screw is moved, screw the locking screw down until it is tight. That prevents the sight from moving. II have to admit that I have never noticed a vintage M&P Target revolver moving when shooting, but I do not shoot that many rounds as an "old-time" bullseye shooter would have done. You might be interested in reading the brochures, so am attaching them below.

 

[glowe]

Rear Target sight.

 

[DGNY]

To the OP, that inheritance is indeed a fine one to treasure and to use respectfully.

Glowe, very appreciative of the brochure for all of us to read. Had never seen that before or at least stopped to read it.. Most impressive 1 1/2 inch standard for accuracy at 50 yards. Not to mention assertion that the revolver needs no chamber or bore cleaning, and that the factory lube is sufficient protection against corrosion of those internal services.

Thanks.

 

[rct269]

The brief discussions of "the locking screw" above are, let's say incomplete.

Here's what's what: BOTH screws are employed to adjust and lock the sight---the very first from S&W that won't "shoot loose"---after a mere 50 years or so of making target guns.

Step One: Make the initial elevation adjustment with the aft screw---get close.

Step Two: Make the final elevation adjustment with the screw immediately in front of the aft screw.

Step Three: Turn the aft screw counterclockwise as far as it will go.

You're done! The elevation adjustment is set AND locked.

Here's the why of it. The screw immediately in front of the aft screw is bearing against the frame (top strap). The aft screw is pulling against the frame, by virtue of a flange nut riding in a slot in the frame.

This push/pull arrangement assures you the sight will move when the frame moves-----don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen.

It is my considered opinion this is the best sight S&W ever made---in that it is infinitely adjustable AND won't shoot loose. (It's successor, the so called Micrometer sight (still in use today, is it not?) also will not shoot loose, but is not infinitely adjustable (to the best of my knowledge-----considering I don't know diddly about any S&W product produced in the last sixty some odd years!)

Ralph Tremaine

Back to this infinitely adjustable business: This sight moves the point of impact one inch for each ten yards of range with one FULL turn of a screw. Given 360 degrees in one full turn, one may presume you have each 1/360th of an inch to choose from----more actually, if you want to get even more picky than I am. The so-called Micrometer sight moves the point of impact what, 1/2 inch at 25 yards with each click? That's plenty good enough for paper targets, but if you're into lighting matches, snuffing out candles, driving nails, or murdering Bumblebees, that ain't gonna get the job done!!

And another thing---those tiny little screws: Tiny little screwdrivers are to be had at Lowes in the form of the Kobalt Precision Screwdriver Set. Pretty much any Jeweler's screwdriver of the proper size will work too--aside from the fact the handles require you to hold them with your fingers instead of your hands. Lowes version allows you to use your hands. The part number is 0525844. The cost should be somewhere less than $20---for a set of TEN! That suggests they're junk right off, but I've been using mine going on a looooooong time, and they're still good to go! Note 4 of the 10 tools are for slotted screws. Two of those four fit any/all tiny little screws to be found on ANY pre-war S&W. The rest of them are for use on other stuff.

 

[Baxter6551]

Welcome to the Forum !! A great place and a lot of knowledge here as you can obviously see from the responses to your post.