When Grizzlies Attack - An Engraved K-22 is The Answer
- Thread starter RKmesa
- Start date
YeshuaIsa53
Member
The grizzly bear is coming for that gun!
xfarfuldog
Member
Please consider coming east and displaying at OGCA.
OP
Rick:
Thank you. I agree - thinking back on where I got the ad, it probably ran in the mid 1960s. Besides the audacious nature of challenging a grizzly with a K-22, there are several interesting anomalies/inconsistencies in the ad (ad reposted here for reference):
1. The gun in the holster does not appear to have diamond magnas.
2. The K-22 pictured in the ad has:
* the high-shoulder early post war diamond magnas
* the pre-war (very early post-war) "contoured" thumb cylinder release
* what appears to be jeweled hammer and trigger (I'm not sure this was ever a factory offering)
* the modern hammer/trigger are later than the grips or the thumbpiece
* the extra large ampersand on the barrel is consistent with late 1940s/early 1950s Masterpieces - like the barrel ampersand on the grizzly engraved K-22 above (which shipped in November 1947).
I also do love that in the small print the ad suggests the .22 Jet, 357, 41, and 44 Magnums for "more firepower".
These old ads are a lot of fun, if for nothing else than the nostalgia of a simpler time.
Last edited:
Ivan the Butcher
Member
When Grizzlys attack, Depends are the answer!
Ivan
Ivan
You can sometimes find these old ad prints on eBay. I’ve bout a few for around $10. Some original some reproductions. I framed a set for the Ruger 44 carbine and 10/22. They’re hanging in my cabin.
I can certainly understand S&W advertising it for a puny Grizzly, but doubt that it would be appropriate for other large, dangerous game, such as Africa's Big Six, unless loaded with Garrett .22 caliber Hammerheads.
Catwrangler
Member
Long ago the mothership solved the question of what caliber for bears.
Walter Rego
Member
The ad has the often seen "Department" reference in the S&W factory address. This is for their marketing department to track the effectiveness of their advertising. In this case, my guess is Dept. GA-6 means the ad ran in Guns & Ammo, the sixth issue of that year. With the mention of the Remington Jet chambering that pins it down to maybe June of 1961 or maybe June of 1962 ? That's probably pretty close.
Richard, have you lettered the gun and do you know who the engraver was ? It sure is a beauty.
Richard, have you lettered the gun and do you know who the engraver was ? It sure is a beauty.
OP
Some photos of the beautiful grips...
They really are a work of art in and of themselves.
I remember being there when you were telling Keith they felt right for that gun. I was tempted to ask to hold those walrus targets. Is there anything that clearly stands out to you as a difference from elephant ivory? Weight, color, etc?
Might help us guys that run across questionable ivory grips.
Might help us guys that run across questionable ivory grips.
Last edited:
OP
I remember being there when you were telling Keith they felt right for that gun. I was tempted to ask to hold those walrus targets. Is there anything that clearly stands out to you as a difference from elephant ivory? Weight, color, etc?
Might help us guys that run across questionable ivory grips.
Rich:
Were you not there for the show-n-tell? I passed those grips around (along with the other blinged-out turquoise and silver set). To me they feel the same as other ivory grips that I own. They are different in that they do not have the Schreger lines that are found in elephant ivory. To me, they are also more likely to have a yellowness to their cream color, but that could probably vary from set to set... Several collectors, whose opinions I value, have indicated that these magnas are also walrus ivory...
Keith Brown
Vendor
Was great to see and handle these grips again, made extra special paired with such a great gun. The Walrus works and takes checkering like elephant ivory, has no Schreger lines and has a center that has a pearl like appearance. Was just barely able to get a set out of the supplied piece and as a result the black cracks are clearly visible and I think add to the natural beauty.
Outstanding Richard ... simply outstanding
Russ
Russ
I wouldn't have shot an innocent bear with that K22. Afterall, he's just being an animal and we're in their home. I'd have taken the flyrod and switched the bear's behind. No long term damage other than the bear's hurt feelings and it would leave a fear of humans that he'd remember.
OP
Walter:
I was looking through some of my old threads and realized that I did not respond to your question. In the better late than never vein of thinking... Yes, the gun is lettered and although it did not ship as an engraved gun from the factory, Roy (as noted in the letter) and many of the rest of us believe that Russ Smith was the engraver. Here is the second page of the letter:
All the best,
Beautiful pistol, Richard. This is my first view of this thread which brings up two things I've often wondered about:
1. Large game/dangerous animals engraved on rimfires (pistols and rifles).
2. Flowers carved in holsters that are transporting instruments of death.
Any thoughts?
** Those ivory targets are outstanding. Hard to find as well.
1. Large game/dangerous animals engraved on rimfires (pistols and rifles).
2. Flowers carved in holsters that are transporting instruments of death.
Any thoughts?
** Those ivory targets are outstanding. Hard to find as well.
Last edited:
OP
Great questions. Since you asked, here are my thoughts:
1. People get scenes engraved that they like, regardless if it specifically relates to the gun's capabilities. They engrave images of dogs, horses and other domestic animal, and even sometimes portraits of famous people or family members. I have a gun with a nautical scene motif. It has mermaids, fish and seahorses - nothing really related to the 357, but something that the owner liked. I personally like the variety and find it fun to think about the whys of any specific bit of engraving.
2. I know less about holsters, but throughout the ages, men and women have adorned, bejeweled and decorated their weapons, along with the holsters, scabbards, and cases that housed them. I believe that most who carry a weapon hope to never have to use it against another human, but if they are going to carry, they want to look good, and perhaps make a statement with their "man-jewelry". I personally love to see beautifully carved floral holsters and the guns carried in them. To me it is an expression of creativity and beauty (i.e. a canvas for talented artists), even when it houses a deadly weapon.
Some of my thoughts. I'm sure that there are many thoughts on these topics...
Last edited:
Similar threads
