Thanks for all the information. When I first saw this gun, I had no clue it was a K-22. I had been looking for a M17 for about a year, like I said in an earlier post. Someone in the store looking at guns made a comment that it was an old gun because of the screw on the trigger guard. When we finally figured out the serial number, I went home that evening and that was when the research started. First I looked up the number in the S&W Catalog and then the internet. I am so greatful to have found this site and read every page. Again, thank you for all your knowledge about the K-22. I did not even realize it was a 5 screw till I looked at it again because of it being an early 1955 gun which I think later 1955 to early 1956 changed to 4 screw, if I read my book right. I did shoot it last Friday, and what a pleasure. Smooth and on target. Now the quest is on to find a period correct box. Oh the joy of older S&W wheel guns.
so i was worried that offended somebody last time i posted, so i thought i'd make up for it with pictures of my new-to-me 5-screw k-22. this gun is so beautiful, i can't hardly stand it. i was surprised to see that the number stamped on both halves of the cylinder gate were different from the number stamped on the bottom of the barrel and strap and the cylinder - is that normal? the extractor rod is a little plum, the side plate is a little shmooed around the screw above the trigger guard next to the address stamp (where i guess someone forgot about the lip that holds the side plate on?) and there are one or two spots of what might be really minor surface rust at the very end of the barrel, but what a gem! also, i hadn't seen the beveled and numbered cylinder before. anything i should know about this pistol?
i know i did a bad thing by replacing the magna diamond stocks with these sile target stocks, but the magnas just don't fit my hand well. please forgive me!
so i was surprised to see that the number stamped on both halves of the cylinder gate were different from the number stamped on the bottom of the barrel and strap and the cylinder is that normal? the extractor rod is a little plum, the side plate is a little shmooed around the screw above the trigger guard next to the address stamp (where i guess someone forgot about the lip that holds the side plate on?) and there are one or two spots of what might be really minor surface rust at the very end of the barrel, but what a gem! also, i hadn't seen the beveled and numbered cylinder before. anything i should know about this pistol?
i know i did a bad thing by replacing the magna diamond stocks with these sile target stocks, but the magnas just don't fit my hand well. please forgive me!
Hello armouredbear
You have a Five screw version of the K-22. The Guns serial numbers will be on the face of the cylinder, The under side of the barrel, The rear of the cylinder extractor which can be seen when it is depressed, The right stock rear side and the bottom of the grip frame. The Main frame crane assembly numbers you mentioned are simply bin plant location numbers that mean nothing but to those that assembled the gun. Your gun is totally correct and looks very nice for it's age. The guns side plate does not have a lip on the upper side of it as it just sit's flush on the guns main frame. The lip for side plates started when they eliminated the upper side plate screw and those variations were called Four screw variations. Regards, Hammerdown
armouredbear, That is a beautiful gun. You will very much enjoy it. I just bought one a couple of weeks ago. Wish I had the box. Enjoy that classic K-22. Here is a couple of outdoor pics of mine.
thanks a lot, hammerdown! am i correct in thinking that this is a '49 vintage?
Hello armouredbear
I don't know what year your gun is as you did not give me the serial number to track it down. The guns serial number will be on the bottom of the grip frame, Face of the ctylinder, or on the bottom of the barrel flat where the cylinder extractor fits into the barrel shroud on the bottom side of the barrel. If you will Post the Partial serial number Like K-1237X leaving the guns last number as an X-Prifx I can then date it for you. Regards, Hammerdown
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Yeah though I Walk Through The Valley of Death, I shall fear no evil as I carry with me my S&W
Great photos everyone! This might to be the best thread on the whole forum. Hats off to HammerDown for getting it started!
Here is my 5 screw made in 1947. Unfortunately, the grips are not original, but the numbers on the back are, remarkably, only a few hundred numbers off.
I think this K22 is as accurate as the day it left the factory. It can make the average shooter (me) actually look good.
I hope this one is allowed in this thread...it's a new Model 18 I picked up today from a local dealer. it has the target trigger,hammer, and grips, which are all features I wanted on this revolver. As soon as I get my Rx inserts for my shooting glasses I'm off to the range.
Hello armouredbear
I don't know what year your gun is as you did not give me the serial number to track it down. The guns serial number will be on the bottom of the grip frame, Face of the ctylinder, or on the bottom of the barrel flat where the cylinder extractor fits into the barrel shroud on the bottom side of the barrel. If you will Post the Partial serial number Like K-1237X leaving the guns last number as an X-Prifx I can then date it for you. Regards, Hammerdown
I have a beautiful 17.4 S&W with 8 3/8" barrell and would like to know more about it. It is in excellent shape. I purchased it back in early 1981 when it was almost brand new. I probably have shot a couple of boxes through it since then. I put it away a long time ago. If someone can tell me about it, I sure would appreciate it. The stamped info. is as follows: 83K2980. Below that is MOD 17-4 and below that is B4 and finally 82566. What does all the numbers mean? I know what MOD 17.4 means. If anyone can estimate the value of it, I would be most appreciative. I am interested in selling it or do some trading. I also have the matching S&W MOD 57 with 8 3/8 inch barrell, which I purchased new in 1982. It too is is excellent condition.
Last edited by Currahee3506; 11-04-2011 at 07:00 PM.
Reason: spelling
I have a beautiful 17.4 S&W with 8 3/8" barrell and would like to know more about it. It is in excellent shape. I purchased it back in early 1981 when it was almost brand new. I probably have shot a couple of boxes through it since then. I put it away a long time ago. If someone can tell me about it, I sure would appreciate it. The stamped info. is as follows: 83K2980. Below that is MOD 17-4 and below that is B4 and finally 82566. What does all the numbers mean? I know what MOD 17.4 means. If anyone can estimate the value of it, I would be most appreciative. I am interested in selling it or do some trading. I also have the matching S&W MOD 57 with 8 3/8 inch barrell, which I purchased new in 1982. It too is is excellent condition.
HeloCurrahee
According to my Reference material your K-22 was made in 1980. The B-4 and numbers of 82566 are assembly plant bin location or processing numbers. The 8-3/8" Barrel K-22's are finally catching on as far as collector value goes. There were far less of the 8-3/8" Barrel models made than the more popular 6" Models. I would say in the box lightly fired with the tools and paperwork your gun should fetch $700.00-$850.00. I hope this helps, Hammerdown
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Yeah though I Walk Through The Valley of Death, I shall fear no evil as I carry with me my S&W
I have just bought (or am about to buy -no NICS checks today) a K-22 6 inch, 5 screw, serial number K64428. It is a replacement for one that I foolishly traded in in 1972 to get my Gold Cup. The weapon has an almost perfect matte finish showing only tiny amounts of holster wear at each side of the muzzle, and at the lower front corner forward of the S&W name and address. There is no corrosion or rust on the entire weapon. Serial numbers match on the frame, cylinder face, and the bottom of the barrel. It has aftermarket thumbrest grips, and the customary trigger shoe. The hammer is the old style. I would like to know the date of manufacture of this weapon and if I got a square deal at $550.
I have just bought (or am about to buy -no NICS checks today) a K-22 6 inch, 5 screw, serial number K64428. It is a replacement for one that I foolishly traded in in 1972 to get my Gold Cup. The weapon has an almost perfect matte finish showing only tiny amounts of holster wear at each side of the muzzle, and at the lower front corner forward of the S&W name and address. There is no corrosion or rust on the entire weapon. Serial numbers match on the frame, cylinder face, and the bottom of the barrel. It has aftermarket thumbrest grips, and the customary trigger shoe. The hammer is the old style. I would like to know the date of manufacture of this weapon and if I got a square deal at $550.
Hello exfed2002
According to my Reference material your serial number shows your gun to be a Late production 1948 Gunwith the serial numbers for 1948 being - K-18732--K-73121 and yours being K64428 I would suspect it was shipped in November or December 1948. It will have the new for 1948 Four line address on the lower right front corner of the guns frame. The Up-Swept hammers were used in Early Post-War Guns and they carried on well into the Mid to late 1950's time span. They are also called a Speed Hammer due to their design they are a lot faster to cock than the standard straight back hammer design. In Paying $550.00 for the gun, You Got a Good deal and Guns made in that time frame are well made and speak volumes of high quality. We sure would like to see Pictures of it when you get in Hand, congratualtions in getting back into a K-22 No one should ever be without one... Hammerdown
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Yeah though I Walk Through The Valley of Death, I shall fear no evil as I carry with me my S&W
First off thank you for the wealth of information you and others have provided with this thread Hammer Down. It's been a real pleasure to read.
Recently my wife visited her relatives in Cheyenne Wyoming and when she returned home she was accompanied by a K22 that a good friend of hers sold her. I don't even want to say what the wife paid for this fine gun.. embarrassingly cheap.
By reading and following along I "think" I have a good idea of around when this revolver was born but I'd like to make make sure by asking those in the know. All numbers match but as of yet I/we don't have the original grips but her friend says she has them and maybe the box too and that when she gets around to it she will locate them and send them. This was one of her sons guns who died in a motorcycle accident in the 1980's. He inherited them from his grandfather I'm told.
Overall I'd judge the gun average condition with a couple of small nicks in the sight rail and the rub marks from holstering. I'm also curious about the front sight blade and the what appears to be a white framed sight window.
Sorry for the poor quality photos.. not much of a camera buff.. but love guns and our right to bear them. The faux fur lining in the case is a bit bright and outdated...
Here's the numbers... K 22180. Neat that it starts with K 22
Thanks ahead of time... Schmitty
Welcome to the K-22 Thread. Acording to my Reference material your K-22 was made in 1948 as it's serial range falls into that year being - K-18732--K-73121. I Notice a couple of things Odd to me for a gun of that time frame. Being a 1948 Gun it should have the new then Up-Swept Speed Hammer or Fish Hook Hammer as they are called and it should also have a Patridge style sight blade. Your's appears to have a later made wider Target hammer and a Baughman ramp front sight blade, along with a White outline Rear sight blade. The Baughman front sight blade was in use when that gun was made and it may have ben a special order for your gun, but I am thinking the rear sight blade has been changed out at some point and time as you Rarely see a White out line Rear sight blade used with a Baughman style sight blade. The Target hammer has definatly Been changed out as they were not available from S&W Until the mid 1950's time span. The correct stocks for your gun would have ben a set of Diamond center Magna's. It may be worth taking the rubber grips off and taking a look at the side of the grip frame for some date codes, such as 4 1 60 which would mean the gun was worked on in the service department on April, 1 1960 or you mat see a R-B which would mean Refinished Bluing or a Diamond stamp which would mean it has been back and been worked on at S&W. I hope this helps, Hammerdown
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Yeah though I Walk Through The Valley of Death, I shall fear no evil as I carry with me my S&W
19Likes
were different from the number stamped on the bottom of the barrel and strap and the cylinder
- is that normal? the extractor rod is a little plum, the side plate is a little shmooed around the screw above the trigger guard next to the address stamp (where i guess someone forgot about the lip that holds the side plate on?) and there are one or two spots of what might be really minor surface rust at the very end of the barrel, but what a gem! also, i hadn't seen the beveled and numbered cylinder before. 
anything i should know about this pistol?
