K-22 Masterpiece Post-War?

[ZBill]

Can anyone provide information on a S&W .22 revolver? Has an unusual (to me) flattened and elongated "&" between the S and W. Blued, 6-inch ribbed barrel, adj rear sight, cylinder recessed for .22 cartridges, pinned barrel, case-hardened trigger and hammer, SN# K 107XXX which is also stamped inside one of the grips. It seems to be a relatively heavy frame for a .22. Is this a post-war K-22 Masterpiece as I assume? Does any have a date of manufacture or a place I can look? Thanks, Bill

 

[farscott]

The serial number dates the revolver to 1951. The sideways or elogated ampersand is called the "lazy" ampersand. It is indeed a post-war K-22 Masterpiece.

You have one of the finest .22 revolvers from the golden age of revolvers. I have one from 1956 that I love to shoot.

 

[ZBill]

Thanks...

Thanks Scott for the quick reply and information. I appreciate it, Bill

 

[HSMITH]

I have a very slightly younger gun with a 4" barrel. Great guns, and increasing in value rapidly. Shoot it and enjoy it, I don't think they can be beat!!

 

[Standing Wolf]

Here are some shots of my 1951 K-22, including a close view of the slanted ampersand.

The ampersand, by the bye, is a stylized ligature of the letters "e" and "t," which form the Latin word "et," meaning "and." Ampersands with flourishes have been a typographers' staple for several centuries.

The factory stocks, although very well made and handsomely finished, didn't fit my hand at all. I was fortunate to find a set of Roper-style stocks at a modest price. They may well date to the time of this grand old gun's manufacture, but seem to have been made specifically for my hand.

I found the gun right here at the High Road after looking for it two decades and longer.

 

[gmatov]

Farscott,

Would you link to the site for Smith serial and date page?

Was just at Smith, can't get to a page with the mfg date by serial, just History, 30 bucks.

Thanks,

George

 

[farscott]

gmatov,

I do not use a web site. I use the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica and Rick Nahas. I keep the first edition at my office, and the second edition is in my book case at home.

 

[One of Many]

I own a mod. 17-3 .22 rimfire (recessed chambers), sn 5K8XXXX. I bought this revolver used, without box or papers. It is a six inch barrel, pinned, raised rib with grooves, and normal ampersand (S&W).

What are the model differences with the dash numbers (17-3 vs 17-4, etc.) of these revolvers? Can anyone tell me the year my revolver was made?

 

[P95Carry]

M17-3 appears to be 1967 thru 1977 when dash 4 started... at least basing that on change dates, when mod's were announced.

1974 seems to fit the bill for your SN.

Pinned barrel was ceased in dash 4 1982.

Here is my pre K-22. My ampersand is not sideways but is shortened in height. My SN has no prefix - 85XXX

 

[Kurac]

Here is a no dash model 18 that I was lucky enough to find and almost lost (the guy that put it on hold backed out or tried to negotiate on price) while canvasing my local gun shops.