Took Delivery of a 1947 K-22 Today

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If I don't find a way to deal with this K-22 situation, I am going to need an intervention. I think my acquisitions are starting to drift into obsession.

Only a few months ago I learned that the earliest postwar K-22s used the large-knob ejector rods familiar from prewar models. Once I knew that, I knew I would have to add one to my stable because I really like the prewar features. One showed up in the WTS ads a week ago, I jumped on it.

Today I picked it up from my importing FFL. I am delighted now that I see it in reality. The S/N is a lowish K4267 (matching numbers everywhere), and Roy Jinks tells me it was shipped in September of 1947. Narrow-rib barrel, of course. Finish is about 98 percent, with slight muzzle wear and very light speckling on the upper backstrap. Everything else is beautiful, and I am particularly pleased at the very light turn ring. The action is sweet. No end shake, no rotational play to speak of, crisp single action, smooth double action, no push-off. Shiny chambers and bore. This gun cannot have been shot much, and it was certainly well cared for in the last 62 years.

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I swear I did not see all that dust and the cat hairs until I got the photos on my computer screen. If I had any of my own hair left, I would tear it out in exasperation. I think I am going to have to build a clean room and turn it into a photography studio.
 
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Congratulations, David. That's a beautiful and uncommon gun. Great pictures, too! Will you be shooting it?

Thanks,

Jerry
 
It is very nice! I just purchased one made a few months prior to yours, in almost as good condition. I have wanted an early post war .22 K frame for a while but was really interested in a 4 inch aka Combat Masterpiece. I saw the 6 inch revolver in the counter at my local pusher and I swear it had my name written on it in ink only I can see, just had to have it and I could not help myself. Enjoy that S&W!
 
Congratulations, David. That's a beautiful and uncommon gun. Great pictures, too! Will you be shooting it?

Thanks,

Jerry

Thanks, Jerry. I'll shoot it a few times, but I have a couple of other K-22s that are my designated shooters -- one from 1948 and another from 1953. I think this one is destined to be one of my "look-at" guns.
 
It is very nice! I just purchased one made a few months prior to yours, in almost as good condition. I have wanted an early post war .22 K frame for a while but was really interested in a 4 inch aka Combat Masterpiece. I saw the 6 inch revolver in the counter at my local pusher and I swear it had my name written on it in ink only I can see, just had to have it and I could not help myself. Enjoy that S&W!

I am very familiar with that "can't help myself" feeling. I checked under the sofa cushions and turned in the mason jars full of pennies in order to get this one. This is transparently addictive behavior. I need to get a grip!

I want a CM too. But if options like this one keep standing up and slapping me in the face, it may be a while before I get one. :o

Congratulations on yours. Do you consider it a shooter? Please post photos if you have them.
 
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Very nice gun. I shipped 9/28/47 and also have a little freckling on the back.
Gary
 
Hello David
Congratulations are certainly in order here, what a Nice example. I came across my 1947 Model that shipped in November 1947 with a serial a little earlier than yours. It came with it's original serial numbered Magnas that I have put up and replaced with the larger style Target grips as shown. These are a very neat revolver with the Pre-War extractors. Did the box and acessories come with yours ? I had to add them to mine but now have all that would have come with it as shown. Regards, Hammerdown



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I have a 1947 too, K1047X!

This vintage revolver is another that locks up tight and shoots like poison, does not have the old style ejector rod though.

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Some fine guns!

Sebago Son, nice holster too, I want one in 4" for my (not yet arrived) Model 18-2!

Been on this site too much this winter;)
after I could not find a Model 63, I found a nice Model 34, from around 1960-61, that sparked my interest in the older models.
It made me decide to go for the older Model Smith & Wessons!

I have traded my well-shooting-but-too-heavy-for-my-(tennis)-arm 6-shot No-dash Model 617 6-incher for an old Model 18-2.

Now on the look-out for a K22 CM, and a... and a...
 
Did the box and acessories come with yours? I had to add them to mine but now have all that would have come with it as shown. Regards, Hammerdown

Thanks, Hammerdown. Gun only, no accessories. I do have a proper black oxide screwdriver that I could put with this gun, but eventually I will go looking for the other tools, box and docs.
 
To Sebago Son

Can you send me the full serial number of that gun for my data base? Looks like one or two digits are missing. :D

Seriously, aren't you concerned that there may be undetected design flaws in the earliest production units of a model run? You're taking a big chance with that one!

Seriously for real: nice pics, nice subjects. I can distinguish the CM, but do you have one, two, or three of its bigger brothers? I assume that is factory cosmoline, or whatever they used. Did you clean that one up, or is it still stuck in the 1940s?
 
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