The early K-22's

[beagleye]

I have one for using too-

 

[Matchdirector]

There is a nice speedloader for that

Ansac really likes the K22 as well and even though there already are loaders for them on the market, they put together one that really I think compliments the Gun nicely. Not Cheap but neither is the quality of the old ones. Mine is newer and took for ever to get. I am happy!

 

[JSR III]

For YEARS I've had the K22 my late father left me when he passed away in June of '84...he asked me to promise that I'd never sell it and I've kept my word...I pawned it a few times nut always redeemed it...the SN K2440XX. Dunno when it was made...Dad had it at least since the early 60s (IIRC) - when I got it it was in the original blue S&W cardboard box with the standard small square grips - he put on a grip adapter (forget what they were officially called)...over the years (before I became a collector (of C&R) I wanted those small grips and the adapter gone so I replaced the small grips with S&W large target grips...the gun is in EXCELLENT condition, due more to benign neglect than actual TLC...no rust or scratches - like it was bought yesterday...any idea of when it was made or a rough estimate of worth??? Not looking to sell under any circumstances..when I had my stroke in 2002 and was subsequently evicted and went homeless for a few months I managed to hang onto it through the good graces of a friend...don't shoot it much, but that may change once .22 LR becomes more commonly available...

Glad to see that you have managed to hang on to it through some tough times. Once gone they can never be replaced. Your fathers gun probably dates to around 1955 if shipped in normal order. Unfortunately, S&W did not ship in order of serial numbers so these are only rough guesstimates. Value is tough without seeing the gun in person but if it is as nice as you say and you have the original stocks and box, tools and paperwork, your dads gun could go over $1,000. These guns are now 60 years old and finding them in pristine condition is getting harder and harder.

 

[54rndball]

I just picked up this K22. It is a 5-screw, ser. no. in the 50000 range. Can anyone estimate year of manufacture?

 

[beetledude]

i got this one in a package deal with some really nice 1911s. To be honest I was focusing on the 1911s and not so much this gun, so never really looked too deeply into it.

Can the experts here tell me a bit about it? I've seen some pictures where the early outdoorsman grips have more of a rounded top. Is this the correct grip for a pre-war model? Serial # is in the 692,XXX range.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

 

[GF]

"Thanks for any information you can provide."

I can provide the information that you have about as nice of a rimfire revolver & box that I've seen.

GF

 

[bdGreen]

i got this one in a package deal with some really nice 1911s. To be honest I was focusing on the 1911s and not so much this gun, so never really looked too deeply into it.

Can the experts here tell me a bit about it? I've seen some pictures where the early outdoorsman grips have more of a rounded top. Is this the correct grip for a pre-war model? Serial # is in the 886,XXX range.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

First, let me say, that is truly a wonderful specimen of that model. Your pictures show great detail.
That is a Smith and Wesson K22 2nd Model, Masterpiece. It was manufactured in 1940. There were a total of 1067 manufactured. They introduced that Model after the run of the K22 Outdoorsman.
The serial number 'range' is incorrect for that model. Please examine the bottom of the grip to find it stamped into the metal.
Those stocks are correct for that model and are quite righteous themselves. The box is in impeccable condition. Please examine the bottom of the box and let us know what is there. Should be a paper tape with 'K22-40' stamped on it in red ink and the serial number penciled in on the paper tape.

Thanx for the pictures.
bdGreen

Thanx, I see you changed the serial number. I appreciate that.

 

[beetledude]

First, let me say, that is truly a wonderful specimen of that model. Your pictures show great detail.
That is a Smith and Wesson K22 2nd Model, Masterpiece. It was manufactured in 1940. There were a total of 1067 manufactured. They introduced that Model after the run of the K22 Outdoorsman.
The serial number 'range' is incorrect for that model. Please examine the bottom of the grip to find it stamped into the metal.
Those stocks are correct for that model and are quite righteous themselves. The box is in impeccable condition. Please examine the bottom of the box and let us know what is there. Should be a paper tape with 'K22-40' stamped on it in red ink and the serial number penciled in on the paper tape.

Thanx for the pictures.
bdGreen

Thanx, I see you changed the serial number. I appreciate that.

Thanks for the information bdGreen. I've corrected the serial number range. Those tiny numbers are hard to read!!!!

The box does indeed have a piece of paper tape on the bottom but sadly the words have faded and are not longer visible.

 

[beetledude]

hmm, there was a helpful post which seems to have been deleted. In that post the author stated that the grips should have a silver medallion with patent information and that the grips may or may not have a serial number stamped into them. Here is a pic of the insides of the grips

That post also asked if it had a gold bead front sight, which it does.

lastly a pic of the bottom of the box where you can see the paper tape, but no words visible.

Thanks again for your insights on this gun.
-b

 

[boykinlp]

i got this one in a package deal with some really nice 1911s. To be honest I was focusing on the 1911s and not so much this gun, so never really looked too deeply into it.

Don't know much about 1911s in general and nothing about the ones in your package deal, but the gun you are showing here might just make them seem like a "booger" and this be the gem of your deal!! You have a fantastic find here!!!!

 

[bdGreen]

"That post also asked if it had a gold bead front sight, which it does."

If that is truly a gold bead then I believe it was special ordered from Smith or was swapped out with the original sight blade after it left the factory. They were typically putting stainless beads on at that point. But, they could be ordered. The pin holding the sight blade in appears to be below the surface a thousanth or two. May have been removed and then replaced when the front sight was changed.
That is just my assessment from the images you have posted. Others may have different opinions.
It's unfortunate the paper tape on the bottom has been rendered unreadable. It's a shame what 75 years will do to a piece of paper with some pencil marks...

Great gun, wonderful pictures.

Thanx again,
bdGreen

 

[Hondo44]

Those stocks are definitely correct for the vintage of that model, which was only produced in 1940.

They were issued up thru the early 1950s and are referred to as "sharp shouldered" Magnas. Beginning in the early '50s, the sharp shoulder became rounded as they remain to this day.

 

[jhde69]

Just took mine to the range yesterday. Have not had it out for a year. The last time I had it out my grandson fired it a few times and he looked at me and said "grandpa when you get old I want that gun". I hope it's a little while longer but it will be his.

 

[beetledude]

"That post also asked if it had a gold bead front sight, which it does."

If that is truly a gold bead then I believe it was special ordered from Smith or was swapped out with the original sight blade after it left the factory. They were typically putting stainless beads on at that point. But, they could be ordered. The pin holding the sight blade in appears to be below the surface a thousanth or two. May have been removed and then replaced when the front sight was changed.
That is just my assessment from the images you have posted. Others may have different opinions.
It's unfortunate the paper tape on the bottom has been rendered unreadable. It's a shame what 75 years will do to a piece of paper with some pencil marks...

Great gun, wonderful pictures.

Thanx again,
bdGreen

ah ok, I didn't know they were using stainless at that time as well. I looked at saw a metallic bead and assumed it had to be brass. The color is actually kind of in between. It's not quite as yellow as brass, nor is it completely silver like stainless. But it's closer to silver than yellow, so it's probably the stainless bead....

I'm just a beginner smith collector -- so many details to learn!

Thanks again!
-b

 

[RKmesa]

I got this one in a package deal with some really nice 1911s. To be honest I was focusing on the 1911s and not so much this gun, so never really looked too deeply into it.

Can the experts here tell me a bit about it? I've seen some pictures where the early outdoorsman grips have more of a rounded top. Is this the correct grip for a pre-war model? Serial # is in the 692,XXX range.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Fantastic Gun, Box and Photos!!! BD shared great information with you. Here's a link to a thread where there is a lot of info posted on these pre-war K-22 Masterpieces (also known as a "22-40"): http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...pre-war-22-40-masterpieces.html#post136358539

Thanks for sharing,

 

[jpmccr]

My K-22

I got this one from my Dad's estate several years ago. He didn't have the paperwork or box which is ok with me. Great gun. He had the "bone" grips on it and I replaced them with Pachmayr Presentation grips. I have the originals stored to protect them. Have to say it is a great shooter and accurate. The number is in the 362XXX range. I called S&W when I got this one and the other two (19-4 and 28-2). They verified the K-22 DOB as 1959. For its age I htink it is in really good shape. He kept in by the door loaded (lived in Montana) in a leather holster; ready to go.

 

[johnyakima]

K22 shipping date

A friend has an old K-22 serial number 5206. Can someone
tell me the shipping date? I tried finding it in my Standard
Catalog of Smith & Wesson with no luck. If it's in there
would you give me the page number?

 

[arjay]

Page 398. 1947

 

[Hedrin]

Over at mom's today and was rummaging around for something, when wonder of wonders, I found the holster for my grandfather's .22. I had thought this was long lost.

The George Laurence Co. Portland Oregon. 122B SA 5/12

 

[BAM-BAM]

Lomax,

Welcome to the forum.
Beautiful find!

I prefer 0000 brass wool, and Kroil to be as easy on the surrounding blue as possible.

However, if you have a steady hand, a tiny, tiny drop of Naval Jelly applied to the rust spot with a pin point and looking thru magnifying glasses, will get all the rust out of the pits with no abrasion and save a lot of time. BUT USE CAUTION, IT WILL REMOVE SURROUNDING BLUING INSTANTLY WITH SLOPPY APPLICATION.

The remaining clean white metal can be touched up the same way with a pin point of blue touch up. Again though, a sloppy application will stain surrounding blue.

LOL.... did you notice Lomax posted it 2010?

This must be old thread revisited day!

That said it's a great old thread with pictures!!!!!!