A Very early Post-War Four digit serial number K-22 Found

[Hammer Down]

Hello
I attended a small Local guns how yesterday and did Not expect to find what I came out of there with a short time later. I know most of the Vendors at these gun shows as I attend them all within a 150 Mile radius. I have Seen the vendor that had this K-22 before but for the most part he often has Well Worn Revolvers of which I have no interest. A Year ago I came across a 1948 K-22 that had a very tight action but was well worn. I had not been able to find any Early Post War K-22's after an Exhaustive search & out of desperation I bought it and sent it off to Ford's for a refinish with their Famous Master Bluing. It came back as all my Other guns had in the past much more than I expected, and for the most part it was a real eye catcher at the range, and brought much attention from other Fellow shooters with it's Deep Black shinny finish. I Really Liked the Looks of it, But I have recently taken a new approach to my collection of S&W revolvers in the aspect they will be all original. Slowly I have swapped out or sold all my revolvers in my collection that had been refinished other than my Daily Carry Piece that is a Pre-30 J frame in .32 S&W Long that I had Ford's Place a High Polished Chrome finish on to take the daily chore of Wear & Tear showing Little wear to it's finish,& The last refinished revolver I had in my collection was this 1948 K-22 that Ford's did, and I have been on the serious Hunt for one that would be an Early Post-War example in Original condition in 95% or better condition, and alas I had Found it, But after Buying Three Last weekend I had More Guns than Cash to work with. I had with me $450.00 to buy a gun should I see one but the seller of this K-22 Knew what he had and with a Four Digit Serial number of K 366X, this one was a very Early Post war model as S&W started their K-Prefix begining in 1947 which as The first year of Civilian production since they ceased all Civilain Produced guns for The World War II effort.I looked at this K-22 Early Post war revolver Three times and tried to feel out the seller on price, as to what it really would take to buy this Piece. He had it marked at $600.00 which is not out of Reason for a gun of this Nature, Given the Grade of Condition and low serial number, But I knew I was about $150.00 Light in my Wallet of making this deal transpire. I took a small Break outside as the show was rather slow and noticed a Gun show pal of mine making his way to the door from the Parking Lot with Three Long Guns under his arm. I stopped him Breifly and asked if he was still interested in buying my Refinished 1948 K-22 and he said Sure, let me sell one of my Long guns here and we can take care of that right quick. He was stopped by a guy just before he Entered the door of the show and sold off his most expensive piece so that allowed him the funds to buy my K-22 and gave me the extra to Haggle price with the seller That seemed Firm on his earlier price of the early Post-War K-22 I wanted so Badly. I told my Buddy I would have his 1948 K-22 Ready to go for him later in the day and he seemed content with that. I walked back and asked what the Rock Bottom price of this K-22 would be, and the seller quoted me a Price of $500.00 Out the door.I asked if he had looked to see if the grips matched the gun's serail number, and he told me they did not. I was not going to let grips Hinder my sale, But I sure considered it to be reason for the guy to take a little less for it and used it to haggle with him on the final Price. I was Pleased to get this revolver, and Upon reaching home with it took off the grips to lok at them. The guy that sold it to me was dead wrong as these grips were Indeed srail numbered to this revolver and perhaps he was Mistaken by the fact that they had the number part of the serail stamped on them, but were lacking the K-Prefix before the numbers. Here is that Early Post War K-22 with it's Matching Diamond Magna service grips and my refinished revolver that I sold off to buy it. You will Notice this revolver has The new Then Upswept Speed Hammer on it, Yet it has the Older Pre-War style extractor, and the Newer Barrel has been Notched out to accept the Older Mushroom Extractor Head. It was not uncommon for S&W to use up existing supplied of Parts that were of Older Nature even in a new revolver design as we all Know they sure did not throw anything away they could use Later on.I will Miss the Super High Polished Bluing Ford's did on the Upper revolver above, But when you start getting serious about your collection anything other than factory original is just another refinished gun to me any ways.. Regards, Hammerdown
1948 K-22 Refinished by Ford's Refinishing


1947 K-22 Early Post-War Four Digit Serial


Well, The sun is finally shinning here in East Tennessee this morning so I am off to the range to fire this old Classic. I felt it needed a new set of Sneakers so had this pair laying around waiting for a gun worthy of them so they now rest on it. I hope to return with some very tight group results from this old Girl Later. Regards, Hammerdown

[T.J.]

I'm really jelous. I have a 1947 K22 (87**) but it looks like it was dragged by a truck compared to yours.

[ArkansasHunter]

I fainted and just recovered...what a story !!! What a gun WOW !

[Nosrac]

Great story. :-)

Hammerdown, I just sent you a message to see if you would be willing to help me sort out a K22 that was given to me. Or anyone else that would like to offer some insight this gun that was given to me.

[Hammer Down]

Originally Posted by Nosrac

Great story. :-)
Hammerdown, I just sent you a message to see if you would be willing to help me sort out a K22 that was given to me. Or anyone else that would like to offer some insight this gun that was given to me.

Hello Rod
Welcome to the Rim Fire forum. Your K-22 dates 1957. I sent you an E-mail answering all your Other concerns about it as well. Regards, Hammerdown

[Nosrac]

HD- Thanks for all the info. It is very much appreciated.

[Hammer Down]

Originally Posted by Nosrac

HD- Thanks for all the info. It is very much appreciated.

Hello Rod
Not a Problem and Glad I was of help to you. Your revolver is a beauty and you should be very proud of it. Four screw models are far more rare than any Five screw or Three screw revolver. You have to remember that it was a design change Taking away the Upper side Plate screw and shortly followed by taking away the front trigger Guard screw. These Two changes Happened close to each other so any four screw gun is much harder to find. I have the shorter Barrel Big brother to your K-22 which is a model 48 No Dash revolver. It is chambered in .22 WMR and a real pleasure to fire. With the shorter 4" Barrel it really Barks when shooting it. It shipped in 1961. Here is a Picture of it. Regards, Hammerdown

[Nosrac]

Nice!

[rdale501]

Hey there Hammer Down....you seem to know a lot about .22 cal Smiths. Maybe you can help me date one. It's a Mod. 43 31/2" barrel, ser. #6993. I bought this little gun new in the box about 4 years ago. Real good looker.

[Hammer Down]

Originally Posted by rdale501

Hey there Hammer Down....you seem to know a lot about .22 cal Smiths. Maybe you can help me date one. It's a Mod. 43 31/2" barrel, ser. #6993. I bought this little gun new in the box about 4 years ago. Real good looker.

Hello rdale501
You have a Pre43 with that seriel Number. It is before they marked their model numbers in the crane area. That serial number Points to the first year production of this model being 1953. It is an aluminum Air-Weight square-J-frame revolver with three screw confifuration. It's shipping box should have been Red with a serial number this early. I hope this halps, Hammerdown

[Nosrac]

HD- I just put about 100 rounds through my K22. That thing shoots nice and makes me look like a lot better shot than I am. I am definately going to get target grips for it though. That little handle just doesn't work long term with my bigger paws.

[Hammer Down]

Originally Posted by Nosrac

HD- I just put about 100 rounds through my K22. That thing shoots nice and makes me look like a lot better shot than I am. I am definately going to get target grips for it though. That little handle just doesn't work long term with my bigger paws.

Hello Nosrac
You will find that target grip's will greatly improve your score and give you a lot more control of your Revolver.. Hammerdown

[Nosrac]

I tested a few grips and found one that I really like. It's 100x better fitment.

[Hammer Down]

Originally Posted by Nosrac

I tested a few grips and found one that I really like. It's 100x better fitment.

Hello Nosrac
What kind of grip was it ? let's see some Pictures of it and your gun... Hammerdown

[Nosrac]

HD-mine isn't fancy like yours but I really like the grip. It's a Pachmayr gripper grip. Of all the ones I tried this one had a natural fit for me.

We have had lousy weather and I took these LATE last night so the pictures aren't great.

[Nosrac]

I'll try to get better pictures when I have more time. Here is one of the original grips with correct #'s

[mwatson]

Awesome pistol...It just shows if you have the patience you can find what your looking for. Hope it shoots as well as it looks.
Mike

[Hammer Down]

Originally Posted by mwatson

Awesome pistol...It just shows if you have the patience you can find what your looking for. Hope it shoots as well as it looks.
Mike

Hello Mike
It does. I sighted it in today and the Tight Five shot group after I made a slight sight adjustment showed much Promise. I will shoot it more when I have the time, But believe when I get used to it, I see no rerason this Old Girl will not Produce a One ragged hole group.. Hammerdown

[Nosrac]

HD- Is that at 25 yards?

[Hammer Down]

Originally Posted by Nosrac

HD- Is that at 25 yards?

Hello Nosrac
No, The 15 Yard line for Pistols.. Hamerdown