Curious K-22 Serial Number

[JCMAG]

Hello, I'm new here. I'm currently in the market for my first handgun and I'm looking at a K-22 Masterpiece (or so I think). It comes in a very plain cardboard box (blue and brown, "K-22 Masterpiece). It has the serial number K-473xx.

I was wondering if one of you knowledgeable gentlemen might be able to enlighten me on the particulars of this piece. I hear wonderful, wonderful things about the K-22, but sometimes in the same breath some certain decades or "improvements" are lamented. Is this an alright gun (I mean really alright--it's "like new" for 600$) or would I be better off waiting for a better oppurtunity?

Thanks a bunch for the advice, I really enjoy reading the wisdom here in the high road.

-- JCMAG

 

[rcmodel]

Well, the serial number you gave dates to 1948.
Are you sure you didn't drop a number?
A 1948 pre-model 17 K-22 would likely have been in a maroon or black box.

Does the box end label match the guns description & serial number?

Anyway, the blue box dates to more recent times, and there were several different versions of those depending on when the gun was made.

If in fact it is a 1948 pre-model 17 K-22 Masterpiece in like-new condition, it would be worth every bit of $600 dollars & more.

I would go back and double check the serial number, and look inside the cylinder crane on the frame cut for Model 17, 17-1, 17-2, etc.

If it has the model number stamped there, you got the serial number wrong and it is a much later gun. It is also not worth as much as a 1948 gun in like condition would be.

rcmodel

 

[JCMAG]

Rcmodel,

Thanks for the feedback. The serial number is as the dealer gave it to me.

Right now it is after hours, or I would definitely message the dealer about the model number (rather, I already have, and am waiting on a response). The box is standard brown cardboard brown with a blue image of the revolver, the words "K-22 Masterpiece," and some other writing in blue.

It's one of those online auctions (gunbroker). I don't know how much I trust that site, but I've never seen a K-22 in person and I figure this is my best bet for the time (or maybe years) to come.

 

[rcmodel]

Any chance you can post a link to the auction so we can see the pictures?

I just looked on Gunbroker and didn't find anything quite like that in the K-22 listings.

rcmodel

 

[Old Fuff]

Smith & Wesson started using a gold & blue box in 1946 with a gold or brown image of the revolver against a blue background. With age, some of these boxes may appear to be brownish, so I can easily see how MCMAG's description of the box could be correct for a 1948 K-22 revolver.

If it is a 1948 K-22 Target Masterpiece, which was the first new model S&W introduced after the war, and the first to have the new short action, and the box is original to the gun, MCMAG should run, not walk to get back to that dealer...

 

[JCMAG]

Thanks again for the replies. Here is the link if you'd like to take a gander

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=92682393.

 

[asknight]

That's the gold and blue box Fuff was referring to... That serial is a 1948 serial, as well. I do notice that the auction is up to $730 now though!

 

[JCMAG]

Yeah, that's about as high as I go. I guess it's finders-keepers from here on out. But that's alright, there is an NIB M17 pinned around there for a buck-fifty less...

The K-22 is high on my list, but my dream gun is an M-19-3, and they're around if the K-22 thing doesn't work out.

-- JCMAG

 

[Iggy]

Question for Ol Fuff

Shouldn't a NIB?? 1948 vintage K-22 have diamond grips?

 

[XavierBreath]

Shouldn't a NIB?? 1948 vintage K-22 have diamond grips?

Yep. The seller's description reads:

Here is an as new model k-22. It looks to have never been fired. It is from an estate I am selling so I can't be sure. It looks new with no defects. It comes with the box and papers. It is a 6" bbl and 22 cal. Sr# is K-473xx

Note he doesn't say original box. He "can't be sure" but he sure sells a lot of guns. He's already in CYA mode, the grips are wrong, the photos show no detail, and the price is to darned high.

I would pass.

 

[Old Fuff]

Well after carefully examining an enlarged copy of the photograph I have determined that X-Breathe is right (as usual). The stocks on the pictured revolver are not period correct. They should have a large diamond around the screw, and be serial numbered to the gun on the underside of one panel. The diamond was discontinued in or about 1968 – some 20 years after the gun was supposedly made. In fairness to the seller, it is possible that he isn’t aware that someone else replaced the stocks, but this observation is tenuous.

The box is at least period correct for when the revolver supposedly was made, but again, it may be a similar box rather then “the one” the gun came in. There was often, but not always, an end-label that included the revolver’s serial number, and when there wasn’t a label I would expect the serial number to be penciled on the bottom of the box. It is not impossible to find boxes that have the serial number in both places.

The hammer spur configuration and ejector rod end appear to be what I’d expect, and I was able to detect what could be the upper sideplate screw. But again, the resolution of the image isn’t good enough to be certain about these points.

If this piece is really what it is represented to be (less the replaced stocks) and I emphasize “if,” it would still be an outstanding find at a lower price. I suggest that JCMAG contact the seller again, explain these concerns, and ask for better and more detailed photographs. How one proceeds should depend on his response.

 

[JCMAG]

Great advice from all, thanks. I had noticed that the grips were off, for both the "like new" K-22 and the "new in the box" M17.

But in my quirky, whimsical way of doing things, I made myself the high bidder, so.. until someone outbids me, I'm stuck with it.

I feel pretty down for putting up so much (especially reading about how cheaply they can be had...), but I'm trying not to think about that -- I prefer to think about having a K-22 all my own.

I try to be an optimist (not easy work...) and think: in ten years that price will be a bargain.

 

[Iggy]

Fuff's suggestion is a good one.

On the other hand,

In a couple of years you may look back and think what a deal you made.

If you have/will have grandkids, they will think the same thing.

 

[Old Fuff]

Collectors have a saying, "don't worry about what you paid, the value will catch up before long."

I would still seek some answers and better photographs from the seller. I don't see you as being stuck because it's obvious that the seller represented the gun as being something it wasn't. "As new" would mean with the original parts, including the stocks unless noted otherwise. But at this point I would cut him some slack because he may have not known that the stocks were replaced.

If he is unwilling to work with you on this, I would contact Gunbroker, explain the circumstances, and ask that your bid be withdrawn. But do this quickly before the auction runs out.

Also understand that finding K-22 Target Masterpiece's in great condition isn't hard too do, but finding an early production one is. This is an earlier-the-better situation.