What do I really have K-22?

[Brutus1996]

Well I thought I had a K-22 , but after clean and put glasses on i t has serial number on the crane and another one underneath on the barrel which are different. However under the grip is the same as the barrel. the one at the crane is G67649 on the frame is K2851XX. So is this a K22?

 

[80sgyrene]

The markings on the crane are factory numbers, nothing to do with serial number.

 

[Alk8944]

Your gun is on the medium size S&W frame which is the K Frame. It is .22 caliber. That makes it a K-22, assuming is is a 6".

 

[JP@AK]

Hi Brutus1996

You have a K-22 Masterpiece (assuming a 6" barrel) that most likely shipped in 1956 (maybe 1957). At that serial number, it very likely has only four frame screws. There won't be one at the top of the sideplate. If there is one in that location, it is a very late five screw.

Show us some photos if you can.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Some folk call those, if 6", a Pre-Model 17. They started model markings in 1957, and yours I agree is a 1956 right before the models were stamped. Four screw guns are cool to me. Most five screw guns lost the fifth screw around 1955. Yours may fall right in between two major changes. Nice gun.

 

[DWalt]

If there is a K prefix to the serial number on the butt and it has a 6" barrel, it is a K-22 Masterpiece. A fixed sight K-frame .22 revolver would have a C prefix to the serial number at that time (and there were a small number of such revolvers made).

 

[H Richard]

The "K" number is the actual S/N, and the other numbers are assembly numbers that have no meaning outside the factory. Your gun should have shipped in 1956, about a year before Model Numbers were assigned by the factory. It is a K22 Masterpiece.

 

[JP@AK]

As reference points, K285963, a K-38 Masterpiece, shipped in January, 1957. K311533, a K-22 Masterpiece, shipped in January, 1958. Neither of those are marked with model numbers.

Even though model numbers were assigned in June, 1957, we have yet to see an example of any model S&W revolver with a model number that shipped earlier than 1958. Conversely, lots of non-model-marked revolvers shipped in 1958 and later.