What is this? (Age and Model#)

[Dadsnugun]

Hi folks,
I received this from my Granddad's estate after he passed away years ago. It is a .22 long rifle caliber, serial no. 33xxx. There appears to be a "V", a "7" within a circle, and a "2" on the frame below the barrel. On the yoke is the serial number, what looks like it may be an upside-down "A", and what looks like it could possibly be an upside-down "G", or perhaps just a symbol of some kind to indicate cylinder rotation or who knows what?

If anyone could give me an idea of the age and model # of this gun I'd appreciate it. I think it may be a model #18 .22 Combat Masterpiece, but am not certain, and I'd love to know an approximate age on it. It's a great little shooter, and one of the few physical mementos of my Granddad so it's a treasured item to me.

Here are a couple pics that I hope may help....

*EDITED TO ADD* I've just discovered another SN# on the bottom strap #K 315***

Thanks for any info!!!

 

[Yurko]

That serial number K315xxx seems to date it to 1957.
That was just barely before S&W started putting model numbers on their guns.

Seeing it's blue, it's either a Pre17 or Pre18.
Pre17 = K-22 Masterpiece
Pre18 = K-22 Combat Masterpiece

That 33xxx would simply be manufacturing numbers used to put the gun back together after all the parts were finished.

I'm sure someone with FAR better knowledge of S&W history will be by to give a definitive answer.

 

[Dadsnugun]

Thanks very much for your input, Yurko (and your service), can you answer a stupid question for me?...What are all of these references that I see to "pre-this and pre-that"? Does it refer to the gun before it was actually designated as a model 10, or 18 or whatever, or does it refer to something like a certain year, or advancement in technology or something along those lines?

I'd like to learn more about the history of S&W, but I need to get up to speed on the lingo first, haha, some things that I'm sure seem incredibly obvious to a lot of the members here leave me scratching my head.

Thanks,

R

 

[P&R Fan]

That is definitely a "Pre" M18 Combat Masterpiece.
The reason we use the term "Pre" is because in 1957 S&W gave all their revolvers soulless model number names instead of the really cool ones. I mean, really, does M19 stir your soul as much as Combat Magnum? Uh Huh.
So when we say "Pre" we mean a revolver that was manufactured prior to the stamping of the Mod-# in the yoke, such as yours. We, and S&W will still call them by those names, but mostly by the number.
Hope that clears it up.
By the way, that's a nice revolver you've got there.
Jim

 

[Dadsnugun]

Thanks Jim, I love it. I put over 500 rounds through it one day, just a couple weeks ago, and she still performs like a champ. Glad it's a "pre", 'cause I'd lots rather have a "Combat Masterpiece" than a "model 18" . Thanks for the explanation!

 

[s&wchad]

Your Grandfather had good taste and you have a nice remembrance of him. K-22's are very popular guns and it's nice that yours appears to still have the original factory stocks. The serial number (minus the "K") will be stamped on the back side of the right grip panel.

Good job with the photos!

 

[Dadsnugun]

Your Grandfather had good taste and you have a nice remembrance of him. K-22's are very popular guns and it's nice that yours appears to still have the original factory stocks. The serial number (minus the "K") will be stamped on the back side of the right grip panel.

Good job with the photos!

Thanks for the info on the grip panel! I'll check that out one of these days! but I'm almost positive it's original, he wasn't the type to swap out grips or the like. He would always say something along the lines of "if they wanted 'em that way, they would've built 'em with those grips..." well...something similiar to that anyway...and I'd laugh and be proud of him, 'cause he had his point of view and if you didn't agree, well, you could just go talk to someone else! (or go pound sand...in other words).

 

[Hondo44]

A very nice old Smith! Everyone is looking for those as cheap as they can find them which is no longer under $ 4 to 600.

What's on the barrel rib that looks like salt?

 

[Dadsnugun]

A very nice old Smith! Everyone is looking for those as cheap as they can find them which is no longer under $ 4 to 600.

What's on the barrel rib that looks like salt?

Not sure I'm looking where you are, I think it's minor pitting, though...