This is a piece that's in progress for eventual publication in The Blue Press. I'd welcome constructive comments. Thanks!
John
This classic Smith & Wesson .22 caliber target revolver had its beginnings way back in the early 1930s and is now discontinued, yet it is still an extremely popular item among both shooters and collectors. It serves the needs of target shooters wanting a companion piece to .38 caliber target revolvers as well as filling a niche for a field revolver suitable for small game. A more accurate .22 wheel gun has never been made, and S&W was entirely correct in calling it a “Masterpiece.”
A medium-size frame (factory designated as the K-frame) .38 Special revolver with target sights was first offered by Smith & Wesson in 1899. This was the .38 Hand Ejector Target, sometimes called the .38 Military and Police Target. It quickly became a favorite with many competitive target shooters, and many U.S. Revolver Association records were set with it. Over a number of years since the introduction of that arm, a growing demand developed for a .22 caliber version that would have the same feel and balance as the .38. In addition, a lot of sportsmen thought that would be a good idea for field use as well.
In 1927, the Smith & Wesson factory began development of a revolver that would meet these perceived needs. The first batch was completed in January, 1931. The new handgun was introduced to the public and advertised as the K-22 Outdoorsman. The catalog, however, called it the K-22 Target revolver. In later years, collectors have referred to it as the K-22 First Model. It was built on the .38 M&P target frame, had a six-inch round barrel and a blue finish. It had a floating firing pin in the frame and a flat-faced hammer. A Patridge front sight was standard. The trigger pull was adjusted to be 3 to 4 pounds. The gun weighed 33 ounces. It was immediately popular, and competitive shooters soon discovered that its 50-yard groups could be as small as one and a half inches.
In December, 1939, with over 17,000 of the First Model having been produced, the factory began making an improved version. This new revolver was dubbed the K-22 Masterpiece, as S&W thought it was truly the best of all revolvers made to that time. Collectors today call it the Second Model. It sported a new micrometer rear sight and a shorter action with a faster lock time. Also incorporated was a carefully fitted and filed anti-backlash trigger. Patridge, plain or gold bead front sights were available. The first of these was completed and shipped in January, 1940. It sold for $40, which was a premium amount in those days. Unfortunately for target shooters and sportsmen, the Battle of Britain began overseas. Smith & Wesson then had to concentrate on shipping large numbers of .38/200 service revolvers to England. Only slightly more than 1,000 of the Second Model K-22s were produced. Their manufacture came to a halt in December, 1940.
When World War II concluded and S&W could again concentrate on the civilian market, production resumed on target revolvers. The first to be produced was the new K-22 in 1946. It was extensively re-designed, as were all the K-frame target models. These Third Models sported ribbed barrels, new micrometer-click rear sights, and a trigger overtravel block that could be quickly installed or removed right behind the trigger and adjusted quickly with a proper feeler gauge. A 1/10” or 1/8” Patridge front sight was standard. Prior to 1948, “Made in U.S.A.” was stamped on the right side of the frame. After that, a 4-line address was found there. This new series initially had K-prefix serial numbers beginning with K101. The postwar models all featured the new and safer automatic hammer block that was first used on the Victory Model .38s in 1944. With a ribbed 6” heavy barrel, introduced around 1950, it weighed 38 ½ ounces.
At the request of competitive shooters, in 1949 the weights of the matching K-38 and K-32 revolvers were adjusted so that all had the same loaded weight. In December of 1949, the factory moved from its old quarters on Stockbridge Street and into a new factory on Roosevelt Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. K-22 manufacture then continued following an interruption of only 11 days for the equipment relocation. In 1955, the four-screw sideplate was eliminated and replaced by one using only 3 screws, with the earlier top screw replaced by a tongue on the plate that fit into the frame. In 1957, when the factory assigned numerical designations for each of its handguns, the K-22 Masterpiece became the Model 17. An 8 3/8” barrel was offered as an option beginning in 1958. As time went on, further changes would be indicated by a “dash number” following the model number. The Model 17-1 was a modification that changed the extractor rod from a right-hand thread to a left-hand thread. The “dash 2” model eliminated the screw in front of the trigger guard, and the “dash 3” model relocated the rear sight leaf screw. These dash numbers were authorized in 1959, 1961, and 1967 respectively, although implementation dates varied. The revolver illustrated is a Model 17-3, and was shipped in 1977. Checkered “magna” stocks that matched the contour of the grip frame were standard. However, this particular example is equipped by preference with optionally available factory smooth presentation target stocks.
Model 17s were virtually all blued, although a very few were nickeled. All have cylinders counterbored for the cartridge rims, and had pinned barrels until 1982. “Diamond pattern” checkered stocks were used until 1968. In 1990, with the Model 17-6, a full underlug barrel was introduced and became standard. The 8 3/8”-barreled version was dropped from production in 1993. The final Model 17-7 was discontinued in 1996 in favor of a 10-shot alloy cylinder version, the 17-8, which was made until late 1999. In 2001, a Heritage Series was produced, also stamped as the Model 17-8, but these had 6-shot cylinders and a new frame design. Metal injection molded (MIM) parts and side-mounted internal locks were used on these guns. A similar Heritage Series Model 18 (4” barrel) was also offered. The Model 617, a stainless version of the Model 17 with a full-underlug barrel, began production in 1989 and continues today with various barrel lengths and other modifications.
A lighter and handier spin-off of the Model 17 was the Model 18, which featured a tapered 4” barrel. It served as an excellent training vehicle for police and others who used 4” .38s and .357s. This was produced as the K-22 Combat Masterpiece from 1949 to 1985, and had similar engineering “dash” changes to the Model 17. The Model 18 was dropped from the line as the Model 17 became available with an optional 4” barrel.
In 1959, another variation based on the Model 17 was generated. This was the Model 48, the K-22 Masterpiece Magnum Rimfire. It was chambered for the .22 Winchester Rimfire Magnum, and was conceived as a field gun with longer reach and more power than the .22 Long Rifle guns. It continued in production until 1986, when it was replaced by the stainless Model 648. Changes during its manufacture paralleled those of the Model 17. Almost all were blued, although a very few were nickeled. Available barrel lengths were 4, 6 and 8 3/8”. Some were shipped from the factory with .22 LR interchangeable cylinders, making this combination quite versatile and valuable today.
Although no longer made, the Model 17 and its siblings, the Models 18 and 48, continue to be very popular revolvers, and are eagerly sought after. I’m fortunate enough to have a 6” Model 17 as well as one with an 8 3/8” barrel, together with a Model 18 and a Model 48. These are all exceptionally accurate handguns, and get extensive use as practice guns for their more powerful K-frame counterparts in .38 and .357. In the field, you could not ask for better small game revolvers. The K-22 Masterpieces were perhaps the finest .22 revolvers ever made. Today they have achieved definite classic status, and are well worth finding.
(c) 2012 JLM
Note - 9/10/2014: This piece is one of many in my new book 101 Classic Firearms. Quite a number of S&W firearms are featured there.
John
This classic Smith & Wesson .22 caliber target revolver had its beginnings way back in the early 1930s and is now discontinued, yet it is still an extremely popular item among both shooters and collectors. It serves the needs of target shooters wanting a companion piece to .38 caliber target revolvers as well as filling a niche for a field revolver suitable for small game. A more accurate .22 wheel gun has never been made, and S&W was entirely correct in calling it a “Masterpiece.”
A medium-size frame (factory designated as the K-frame) .38 Special revolver with target sights was first offered by Smith & Wesson in 1899. This was the .38 Hand Ejector Target, sometimes called the .38 Military and Police Target. It quickly became a favorite with many competitive target shooters, and many U.S. Revolver Association records were set with it. Over a number of years since the introduction of that arm, a growing demand developed for a .22 caliber version that would have the same feel and balance as the .38. In addition, a lot of sportsmen thought that would be a good idea for field use as well.
In 1927, the Smith & Wesson factory began development of a revolver that would meet these perceived needs. The first batch was completed in January, 1931. The new handgun was introduced to the public and advertised as the K-22 Outdoorsman. The catalog, however, called it the K-22 Target revolver. In later years, collectors have referred to it as the K-22 First Model. It was built on the .38 M&P target frame, had a six-inch round barrel and a blue finish. It had a floating firing pin in the frame and a flat-faced hammer. A Patridge front sight was standard. The trigger pull was adjusted to be 3 to 4 pounds. The gun weighed 33 ounces. It was immediately popular, and competitive shooters soon discovered that its 50-yard groups could be as small as one and a half inches.
In December, 1939, with over 17,000 of the First Model having been produced, the factory began making an improved version. This new revolver was dubbed the K-22 Masterpiece, as S&W thought it was truly the best of all revolvers made to that time. Collectors today call it the Second Model. It sported a new micrometer rear sight and a shorter action with a faster lock time. Also incorporated was a carefully fitted and filed anti-backlash trigger. Patridge, plain or gold bead front sights were available. The first of these was completed and shipped in January, 1940. It sold for $40, which was a premium amount in those days. Unfortunately for target shooters and sportsmen, the Battle of Britain began overseas. Smith & Wesson then had to concentrate on shipping large numbers of .38/200 service revolvers to England. Only slightly more than 1,000 of the Second Model K-22s were produced. Their manufacture came to a halt in December, 1940.
When World War II concluded and S&W could again concentrate on the civilian market, production resumed on target revolvers. The first to be produced was the new K-22 in 1946. It was extensively re-designed, as were all the K-frame target models. These Third Models sported ribbed barrels, new micrometer-click rear sights, and a trigger overtravel block that could be quickly installed or removed right behind the trigger and adjusted quickly with a proper feeler gauge. A 1/10” or 1/8” Patridge front sight was standard. Prior to 1948, “Made in U.S.A.” was stamped on the right side of the frame. After that, a 4-line address was found there. This new series initially had K-prefix serial numbers beginning with K101. The postwar models all featured the new and safer automatic hammer block that was first used on the Victory Model .38s in 1944. With a ribbed 6” heavy barrel, introduced around 1950, it weighed 38 ½ ounces.
At the request of competitive shooters, in 1949 the weights of the matching K-38 and K-32 revolvers were adjusted so that all had the same loaded weight. In December of 1949, the factory moved from its old quarters on Stockbridge Street and into a new factory on Roosevelt Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. K-22 manufacture then continued following an interruption of only 11 days for the equipment relocation. In 1955, the four-screw sideplate was eliminated and replaced by one using only 3 screws, with the earlier top screw replaced by a tongue on the plate that fit into the frame. In 1957, when the factory assigned numerical designations for each of its handguns, the K-22 Masterpiece became the Model 17. An 8 3/8” barrel was offered as an option beginning in 1958. As time went on, further changes would be indicated by a “dash number” following the model number. The Model 17-1 was a modification that changed the extractor rod from a right-hand thread to a left-hand thread. The “dash 2” model eliminated the screw in front of the trigger guard, and the “dash 3” model relocated the rear sight leaf screw. These dash numbers were authorized in 1959, 1961, and 1967 respectively, although implementation dates varied. The revolver illustrated is a Model 17-3, and was shipped in 1977. Checkered “magna” stocks that matched the contour of the grip frame were standard. However, this particular example is equipped by preference with optionally available factory smooth presentation target stocks.
Model 17s were virtually all blued, although a very few were nickeled. All have cylinders counterbored for the cartridge rims, and had pinned barrels until 1982. “Diamond pattern” checkered stocks were used until 1968. In 1990, with the Model 17-6, a full underlug barrel was introduced and became standard. The 8 3/8”-barreled version was dropped from production in 1993. The final Model 17-7 was discontinued in 1996 in favor of a 10-shot alloy cylinder version, the 17-8, which was made until late 1999. In 2001, a Heritage Series was produced, also stamped as the Model 17-8, but these had 6-shot cylinders and a new frame design. Metal injection molded (MIM) parts and side-mounted internal locks were used on these guns. A similar Heritage Series Model 18 (4” barrel) was also offered. The Model 617, a stainless version of the Model 17 with a full-underlug barrel, began production in 1989 and continues today with various barrel lengths and other modifications.
A lighter and handier spin-off of the Model 17 was the Model 18, which featured a tapered 4” barrel. It served as an excellent training vehicle for police and others who used 4” .38s and .357s. This was produced as the K-22 Combat Masterpiece from 1949 to 1985, and had similar engineering “dash” changes to the Model 17. The Model 18 was dropped from the line as the Model 17 became available with an optional 4” barrel.
In 1959, another variation based on the Model 17 was generated. This was the Model 48, the K-22 Masterpiece Magnum Rimfire. It was chambered for the .22 Winchester Rimfire Magnum, and was conceived as a field gun with longer reach and more power than the .22 Long Rifle guns. It continued in production until 1986, when it was replaced by the stainless Model 648. Changes during its manufacture paralleled those of the Model 17. Almost all were blued, although a very few were nickeled. Available barrel lengths were 4, 6 and 8 3/8”. Some were shipped from the factory with .22 LR interchangeable cylinders, making this combination quite versatile and valuable today.
Although no longer made, the Model 17 and its siblings, the Models 18 and 48, continue to be very popular revolvers, and are eagerly sought after. I’m fortunate enough to have a 6” Model 17 as well as one with an 8 3/8” barrel, together with a Model 18 and a Model 48. These are all exceptionally accurate handguns, and get extensive use as practice guns for their more powerful K-frame counterparts in .38 and .357. In the field, you could not ask for better small game revolvers. The K-22 Masterpieces were perhaps the finest .22 revolvers ever made. Today they have achieved definite classic status, and are well worth finding.
(c) 2012 JLM
Note - 9/10/2014: This piece is one of many in my new book 101 Classic Firearms. Quite a number of S&W firearms are featured there.
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