S&W K22 and/or 17-2: please advise

[Shear_stress]

My normally futile search for used rimfire Smith revolvers turned up not one, but two guns at the same store today. According to the fellow on the phone, one was a 17-2 and the other a 17 "no-dash". Thirty minutes and one slightly violated speed limit later, I had the guns in front of me. The 17-2 sported a pair of diamond target grips and was in excellent shape. The serial number was K788xxx, placing the date of manufacturer somewhere in 1968, or the year the diamonds went away due to their newfound status as bohemian iconography following the release of the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" the year before. Okay, I may have made that last part up.

To my surprise, the other gun was not a 17 "no-dash". It was, in fact, a five-screw pre-17 (serial number K252xxx) with diamond magnas. By and large, the blueing was nice. However, there was a little holster wear on the right side of the muzzle. Also, a narrow stripe of finish was missing from the cylinder going from front to back. Some slight freckling was evident where the blueing wasn't. Seems like the old girl spent a bit of time laying on her right side.

Smith and Wesson fever got the best of me. I tried and failed to get a volume discount. Instead, I wound up putting both guns on layaway.

My question to you fine folks is one of value. What would be a fair price for both guns? I ask because the store's layaway policy is flexible enough so that I can take home one, both, or, should the fever break and sanity return, neither gun.

 

[Kurac]

You are correct on the date for17-2. The pre 17 dates to 1955.

Value for each would be in the $400 to $450 range. The pre 17 would bring a lot more if it was in better shape.

 

[steveno]

just buy both of them

 

[Standing Wolf]

just buy both of them

Couldn't have said it more succinctly myself.

 

[Huskerz85]

agreed.......buy both

 

[Onmilo]

I paid $450.00 for my pre 17.
It has proven itself worth every penny spent.

 

[Shear_stress]

just buy both of them

I think I may have to. Been looking for a nice K22 for a while. Never thought I'd stumble onto two of them at the same time. Once again, my so far nonexistant kids will thank me when they inherit this stuff.

Also, Onmilo, that's a nice looking gun you've got there. What kind of grips have you got on it?

Edited to add: after checking my Blue Book of Gun Values, it looks like that K22 is probably in 90% condition or so.

 

[P95Carry]

I'd add too - if funds allow do get both - you cannot IMO lose out.

I picked up a pre K-22 some while back and am delighted to have it in the safe even tho it does not get shot a whole lot.

I think all the earlier .22 revo's are worth aquiring.

 

[Old Fuff]

I would agree that IF you could afford it, getting both would be a good move. However if economic conditions dictated getting only one, I would chose the older one. If a perfect finish is important to you it could be reblued. But the craftsmanship that was available in the early post-war years wasn't still being done 1n 1968.

 

[Onmilo]

I have no idea what the wood is exactly.
I bought them as rough sawn blanks and the seller said the stuff was Coco-Bolo.
I didn't stain them after I finished fitting them, I just applied about six coats of plain linseed oil.
I have since replaced them with a period set of Herret target stocks.

 

[Shear_stress]

I have no idea what the wood is exactly.
I bought them as rough sawn blanks and the seller said the stuff was Coco-Bolo.
I didn't stain them after I finished fitting them, I just applied about six coats of plain linseed oil.
I have since replaced them with a period set of Herret target stocks.

Whatever they are, they look great.

I would agree that IF you could afford it, getting both would be a good move.

What the hell, you only live once. Besides, once you get a good S&W bender going, it's best just to ride it out and see where it takes you.