Smith & Wesson's best years?

[DrFlintlock]

HammerDown,
That 1936 K-22 Outdoorsman Revolver is a work of poetry. What is the ballpark range in price that I would need to be willing to spend to acquire such a work of art? And how hard is it to find one in that condition?

 

[glowe]

First, I didn't see any mention of tip-ups, but considering they are 150 years old and so many are still in shooting condition they scream quality. I would love to be able to predict how the twentieth century guns will compare when they are 150 years old, but the craftsmanship and durability of the old S&W tip-ups makes them a true candidate for S&Ws best years.

Now you asked a tough question about acquiring a high quality K22, but the simple answer is that you can have one by tomorrow if you have enough money to throw at it. These guns still come up for auction from time to time. I think they made almost 20,000 of this model, but I suspect that a large percentage of the high quality guns are stashed away in collectors gun safes. There are almost always some on gunbroker and the major gun auction sites often have high quality K22a for sale. I would, however, think there are very few K22s in the condition of Hammerdown's apparently unfired beauties.

 

[jtcarm]

I think H. Callahan nailed it: the start of the Bangor Punta era.

My first S&W was a BP-era Model 19 (1976), and I hated that thing. Nearly turned me off of DA revolvers completely.

 

[Macinaw]

What are the years of Bangor Punta? Thank You!

I recently purchased a 1985 M 581 that I am really impressed with. Does this model fall into the BP era? Thanks Macinaw

 

[Hammerdown]

HammerDown,
That 1936 K-22 Outdoorsman Revolver is a work of poetry. What is the ballpark range in price that I would need to be willing to spend to acquire such a work of art? And how hard is it to find one in that condition?

Hello Dr Flintlock

The K-22 Outdoorsman that is shown came to me at one of our local gun show's. The vendor said that his home was hit by the wicked storm Katrina. He went on to say that it tore his roof off so he had to replace his shingles and this forced the sale of his Personal K-22 Outdoorsman that I have shown above. I paid him his full asking price of $650.00 for it and back then they were bringing an average of $1300.00. I know it was the deal of a life time it is one that I will never sell or Trade off... Hammerdown