nettlle
Contributing Member
I have a 22 cal Smith and Wesson revolver I inherited and am trying to find some information on it. I think it's a K22 but not sure. Is they an online serach engine for Smith and Wesson revolvers?
I saw your post on the S&W forum and also replied. Nice revolver and even with the cosmetic issues a nice collectible . If you plan to shoot it a lot, I'd recommend another set of stocks (grips) for it. Those walnut diamond magnas are worth a couple hundred dollars all by themselves even with the wear they have. No point in getting them beat up. Depending on your hand size, you might want to try a set of Target stocks; they are larger. Altamont makes a nice aftermarket grip that is relatively inexpensive, fits well and looks great, with many styles. Any K-frame square butt grip will work. Personally, I like the magnas fine for that revolver. I have a very similar model, only chambered for .22 Magnum and not as old as that one, but internally almost identical. The trigger guard screw went away around 1961, and the screw up by the hammer was changed to a pin sometime later. The diamond grips went away in 1968 (one reason they are so valuable), replaced by similar grips without a diamond (see my M48-4 picture below). The K-22 started production in 1946 and original production went through 1995. The barrel was changed to a full underlug in 1990.I also asked on the Smith and Wesson forum and got a quick reply. It's a K22 Masterpiece.
I could clearly see at least 4 screws; can't see the front of the trigger guard...
Good advice about the original grips.I saw your post on the S&W forum and also replied. Nice revolver and even with the cosmetic issues a nice collectible . If you plan to shoot it a lot, I'd recommend another set of stocks (grips) for it. Those walnut diamond magnas are worth a couple hundred dollars all by themselves even with the wear they have. No point in getting them beat up. Depending on your hand size, you might want to try a set of Target stocks; they are larger. Altamont makes a nice aftermarket grip that is relatively inexpensive, fits well and looks great, with many styles. Any K-frame square butt grip will work. Personally, I like the magnas fine for that revolver. I have a very similar model, only chambered for .22 Magnum and not as old as that one, but internally almost identical. The trigger guard screw went away around 1961, and the screw up by the hammer was changed to a pin sometime later. The diamond grips went away in 1968 (one reason they are so valuable), replaced by similar grips without a diamond (see my M48-4 picture below). The K-22 started production in 1946 and original production went through 1995. The barrel was changed to a full underlug in 1990.
Here's your revolver's cousin, the K-22 Masterpiece Magnum Rimfire, also called the M48:
View attachment 1168093
As for an online search engine for S&W, the two S&W forums are as good as you'll find when looking for info. Lots of serious collectors and somebody will know about whatever model you need info for. If you like S&W guns, find a copy of The Standard Catalog of S&W, which is where I got the information I provided and is the go-to printed information source most people use. The Catalog has all guns manufactured by S&W, revolvers, semiautos and long guns.
That is correct. The first screw to go is the top side plate screw, then the one in front of the trigger guard. On S&W rimfire revolvers, a pin will remain where the top side plate screw once was, as it holds the floating firing pin in place, unlike the centerfire revolvers which had a hammer nose type firing pin and the top screw became totally unnecessary. Initially it helped hold the side plate in position, but the side plate was modified with a small tab that did the same thing.Just a note about that: I believe the top side plate screw is #5 and the front of trigger guard is #4. So if there are 4 on the side then it will be a 5-screw. It's when you only see three on the side, on older models, you have to then look to see if it's a 3 or 4 screw.
OP's revolver is old enough that it is pre-model number, but it would be the same as a M17.There is a sticky thread dedicated to this at the top of the Revolver forum.
If there is one, a model # would help. If it's there it will be on the yoke/crane when you open the cylinder.
A serial # will also be very helpful for more info.
Nice bunch of folks on the S&W forum. I will be visiting them again. This is my late father-in-laws gun and he gave it to me about 25 years ago. I liked the feel of the action so much I kept it. Never really had time to play with it much but I retired in the spring and now I can play with it a little. The original grips are a little rough. Looks like someone used them for a hammer. I have large hands and your suggestion for target grips is a good one. The factory grips are so small in my hands there is nothing to hold on to. It needs a good cleaning. I'm not sure how far I can strip it down nor how too. Any information there would be a big help.I saw your post on the S&W forum and also replied. Nice revolver and even with the cosmetic issues a nice collectible . If you plan to shoot it a lot, I'd recommend another set of stocks (grips) for it. Those walnut diamond magnas are worth a couple hundred dollars all by themselves even with the wear they have. No point in getting them beat up. Depending on your hand size, you might want to try a set of Target stocks; they are larger. Altamont makes a nice aftermarket grip that is relatively inexpensive, fits well and looks great, with many styles. Any K-frame square butt grip will work. Personally, I like the magnas fine for that revolver. I have a very similar model, only chambered for .22 Magnum and not as old as that one, but internally almost identical. The trigger guard screw went away around 1961, and the screw up by the hammer was changed to a pin sometime later. The diamond grips went away in 1968 (one reason they are so valuable), replaced by similar grips without a diamond (see my M48-4 picture below). The K-22 started production in 1946 and original production went through 1995. The barrel was changed to a full underlug in 1990.
Here's your revolver's cousin, the K-22 Masterpiece Magnum Rimfire, also called the M48:
View attachment 1168093
As for an online search engine for S&W, the two S&W forums are as good as you'll find when looking for info. Lots of serious collectors and somebody will know about whatever model you need info for. If you like S&W guns, find a copy of The Standard Catalog of S&W, which is where I got the information I provided and is the go-to printed information source most people use. The Catalog has all guns manufactured by S&W, revolvers, semiautos and long guns.
You should. You a five screw model and diamond stocks. They are fine shooters.It is a good shooter. Unfortunately it wasn't well cared for and the bluing isn't the best. Never the less I am tickled to have it!
It needs a good cleaning. I'm not sure how far I can strip it down nor how too. Any information there would be a big help.