My K-22 is Ser# 632xx. It is a 6" five screw with Magna grips. All the numbers match except the one on the frame behind the crane, which is 65150 and above that number is stamped a "W". Can you explain the number disagreement?
Hello HHJim
The Numbers you are seeing in the crane that differ than those found on the Butt of the grip frame, The face of the cylinder and the flat portion of the barrel above the cylinder extractor, are assembly number's or Bin Location numbers. They carry no significance other than internal Plant assembly numbers. Once your grip's are off, The right grip Panel should have the same serial number as seen on the Three area's I pointed out in my response here. If you have a camera we all Like to see Pictures of other's K-22's in this thread... 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 an earlier post where you kindly gave me some details of my K-22. I now have it listed in a few Buy & Sell forums and a member in one of them posted a question as to whether or not inside the wooden grip has a number stamped. I took the grips off and, in fact, there is a number stamped into the wood on one grip. He didn't know if that was significant or not, so I decided to come to the internet resident expert to find out. The number stamped does not match the serial number.
Any idea what the significance of this number is? Is it matched to the frame somehow?
What can you tell about this K-22 Outdoorsman serialnumber 638957?
Is it as good a target gun as the K-22 Masterpiece?
Hello Leokress
The K-22 Outdoorsman you have shown was made around 1936. The First K-22 Outdoorsman's were made in 1931 and they continued to make them until 1939. They were the Platform Gun for all Other K-22's to made after this. The later Masterpiece K-22's had slight differences as a short cocking hammer and larger Micro click sights being the model of 1940 First Masterpieces. After World War II the company added a barrel rib to make the Trio of Masterpiece all weight exactly the same being the K-22, K-32 & K-38. They all were good and all shot better than most could hold them no matter what variant we are speaking of. I Prefer the Early Outdoorsman's like yours as they had a much higher level of finish and quality compared to the Post-War K-22's.. I hope this helps and you have a very nice Outdoorsman there... Hammerdown
New to the forum and a new owner of a K22 bought a matter of hours ago. Looks to be in excellent shape, no visible holster wear or from cylinder rotation. Serial number is K309834. Paid $466.00, no box. Any info or opinions appreciated. Obviously I know little because the serial number is from the paperwork, can't find it on the gun as yet.
New to the forum and a new owner of a K22 bought a matter of hours ago. Looks to be in excellent shape, no visible holster wear or from cylinder rotation. Serial number is K309834. Paid $466.00, no box. Any info or opinions appreciated. Obviously I know little because the serial number is from the paperwork, can't find it on the gun as yet.
Hello Shamupa
Welcome to the forum, & welcome to the K-22 Owner's club and the thread on the Fantastic K-22's that I started. I checked your serial number and according to my Reference material yours was made in 1957 as it's serial number fall's into this range for the Year 1957-K-288989--K--317822. Your Gun should be of Four screw design which will mean that it has Three side Plate screw's one under the right grip panel and One in front of the Trigger Guard. It may or may not be a model stamped revolver. If it has a model stamp when you open the cylinder look at the crane Knuckle area it should read MOD. 17. If it was made prior to the time when they started stamping them with the gun's model number being sometime in the 1957 Year span, it will only have plant bin location or assembly number's in this area. Your Guns serial number's will be first and foremost on the Butt of the gun grip frame. If it has the Magna style stock's you will see it easily, but if it has target stock's they will have to be removed to see the Gun's grip Butt serial number. It also should have the guns serial number on the face of the cylinder being the rearward part of the guns cylinder. It will also have a serial number on the bottom of the barrel flat area. This is where the end of the cylinder extractor meet's up with the under side of the barrel when closing it. You can see this one easily by opening the gun's cylinder and flipping it over on it's back. There should also be a B-Prefix there that will mean the gun left the factory as Blued gun. Your gun will have the Bright blue finish which is very deep and very shinny. It sounds like a very nice gun and we all love to see pictures, so when you get a chance please post some. I hope this answer's your questions. 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
Thanks for the info Hammer, as many enthusiasts I was anxious to get info as soon as possible. I would have to remove the grips to read serial number as it appears I have the target grips. No numbers on the back of the cylinder but on the swivel point of the cylinder is 23230 and D9. The D9 is crude and I suspect it to be a inspector stamp. Now lets see if I can attach a pic.:
For those of you who ever might visit Springfield, MA it is sometimes possible to arrange a tour of the facility. Not sure how it works but making a phone call might get the answers.
Of particular interest is their custom engraving. Beautiful work done on site by 2 or 3 engravers. The manufactuiring process in itself from forging raw material to final fit and finish is interesting to those with mechanical interests. Big facility.
S&W is a customer of mine and I have had the opportunity for many in plant visits.
Thanks for the info Hammer, as many enthusiasts I was anxious to get info as soon as possible. I would have to remove the grips to read serial number as it appears I have the target grips. No numbers on the back of the cylinder but on the swivel point of the cylinder is 23230 and D9. The D9 is crude and I suspect it to be a inspector stamp. Now lets see if I can attach a pic.:
Hello Shamupa
That is a nice Four screw example and it appears to have the correct diamond center Target stocks as well as the wide Target style hammer. It is a real beauty thanks for sharing it... 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
Isn't this thread a real fun time-waster! Here's my 17-4, purchased new in November '78.
One day back then the guy behind the counter saw me drooling over a 6" Python, and would you believe it, he talked me out of the Python and into a M27 with an 8 3/8" barrel? What a dope, eh? He probably talked himself out of at least $50 more commission! So I walked out the door with that 27 under my arm (no background check in those days, sigh).
That 27 was a nice gun, but factory .357 ammo wasn't cheap. So I went back looking for a nice .22 to practice with, and walked out with what you see here. I don't remember what I paid for it, but at least it had that 8 3/8" barrel. I screwed on a set of Herrett's target stocks and an aftermarket thumb latch. Other than that it's stock, and after all these years it still shoots better than I can.
I got rid of the M27 years ago, and I never did buy a Python.
Isn't this thread a real fun time-waster! Here's my 17-4, purchased new in November '78.
So I went back looking for a nice .22 to practice with, and walked out with what you see here. I don't remember what I paid for it, but at least it had that 8 3/8" barrel. I screwed on a set of Herrett's target stocks and an aftermarket thumb latch. Other than that it's stock, and after all these years it still shoots better than I can.
Hello Duffer
I don't see this Thread as a Time Waster at all if one is Trully Interested in or Learning about the best S&W Target revolver ever made being the K-22 ! I also resent comments like that in a thread where we all have enjoyed posting pictures or information about our beloved K-22's and I am sure other's who are serious about collecting these fine Target revolver'[s will feel exactly the same as I do here as well have Investd a Ton of time keeping this Important to US thread going. .. The Paper Phamplet that you showed is from a late K-22 as I noticed it was date stamped 11-74. They are out there in abundance due to their Generic format compared to the early Post-War or Pre-War Phamplets being the Officer shown wearing Baggy Motorcycle Pant's in the Pre-War Pamphlet's as shown with my 1936 K-22 First Variation K-22 Outdoorsman and the Next one being a Post-War Phamplet showing the Officer wearing slacks shown with my Pre-17 Non Model Stamped K-22 that was shipped in June 1956 and Remains in Unfired condition with it's box and paperwork...Hammerdown
1936 K-22 First Variation Outdoorsman Revolver shown with it's correct serial numbered service stocks. Paperwork and Box
Hard to locate Pre-17 Non Model stampd Four screw variation that shipped in June 1956
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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
OK, I am a totally new comer when it comes to all things K-22 related. But I am trying to learn as much as possible by reading this amazing thread. THANK YOU and thank you to all that have contributed. What a wealth of knowledge.
I have several questions.
1. Although I have tried, I just don't get the 4 vs. 5 screw identification. For example, immediately above you list that pistol as a 4 screw variation, yet I only see two screws on the side. OK, if I count the screw in front of the trigger, that comes to three. What in the world am I missing??
2. My local gun shop has a K-22 serial # K 268873. Can you ID the date for me. Additionally, it appears to have correct matching numbers except in two places, the grips and on the inside surface that becomes visible when the cylinder is down (First line G, second line 38576, third line 7). What is this number and is it an issue that it does not match the serial number?? Finally, how much is the value effected by not having the matching grip number?
OK, I am a totally new comer when it comes to all things K-22 related. But I am trying to learn as much as possible by reading this amazing thread. THANK YOU and thank you to all that have contributed. What a wealth of knowledge.
I have several questions.
1. Although I have tried, I just don't get the 4 vs. 5 screw identification. For example, immediately above you list that pistol as a 4 screw variation, yet I only see two screws on the side. OK, if I count the screw in front of the trigger, that comes to three. What in the world am I missing??
2. My local gun shop has a K-22 serial # K 268873. Can you ID the date for me. Additionally, it appears to have correct matching numbers except in two places, the grips and on the inside surface that becomes visible when the cylinder is down (First line G, second line 38576, third line 7). What is this number and is it an issue that it does not match the serial number?? Finally, how much is the value effected by not having the matching grip number?
Thank you!
Hello mmfly4fun
Welcome to the forum and the K-22 Masterpiece Thread that I started. I have spoke about the differing screw Variation's of these K-22's in the past but with over 25 Pages of responding it can take a long time to Track down my response to your question so we will Just answer it in this response. The Variation of screw's in K-22's & Other S&W revolver's show's a time span of engineering change's that were made as time Progressed. The early Postwar K-22's are of five screw variation. What this means is that there are "Four" side Plate screw's, Three Plainly seen on the gun & One under the right stock Panel, and the one in front of the trigger guard making it a Five screw variation. late in 1955 S&W dropped the upper large side plate screw making all other's after that a Four screw variation. When S&W dropped the upper side plate screw, they incorporated a Tongue & Groove fitment of the side plate in the upper area where the Older side Plate screw was not needing this upper side plate screw any more to hold the side plate in it's place it cut production time and labor. The trigger guard screw is what we call the Four screw variation, That was used in all Postwar K-22's and other revolver's until around mid 1956 time span. This screw through the front of the Trigger guard held the spring pressure on the cylinder stop which is located in the bottom of the cylinder window. When S&W dropped this trigger guard screw all guns after it still had the spring in place Internally in the gun which hold's pressure against the cylinder stop but it now rested up against the guns trigger guard frame area without the use of a screw. This variation was short lived being of the Four screw design as it came around 1956 time span and was seen until around mid 1961 time span. All Guns made after that are called a Three screw variation meaning Three side plate screw's that we still see used today. Your gun show's to be from 1956 time span with a serial sequence of -K-266165--K--288988 for that year. A Four screw variation of which I surmise yours is will range in price from $600.00-$1000.00 for one New In it's Box like my 1956 Four screw variation shown. The Crane area number's of which you question here as they do not match the other frame numbers are "Assembly Plant Number's" they have no meaning to anyone other than assembly line worker's to let them know that the gun has reached it's stage of completion. The gun's serial number will alway's be on the bottom of the grip frame on all S&W revolver's. I hope this information is helpful... 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
Last edited by Hammer Down; 05-24-2012 at 07:06 AM.
Thank you very much for the reply! Wow, what a wealth of information. Unfortunately for me, I did not jump on this piece right away as I wanted to do a bit of research and when I returned to the shop, she was gone...I hope that aching feeling goes away soon :-). So, I guess I am back on the hunt for one. Know of any early pieces for sale, let me know...
I recently purchased a model 17-4 in 8 3/8", sn 83k43xx. I paid $700.00, maybe a little high, but I really wanted a K-22 Can someone tell me when it was made/shipped? It came to me with target grips dated inside Dec 12 19?? (last #s are unreadable. It also came with a box and some paperwork, but it won't fit in the box with those grips, but will fit the box with standard grips I ordered later from S&W. It also came with a trigger shoe (two set screws).
I was wondering if it came with the target grips from the factory. I think the box is the wrong one as it has a different sn on it.
Thanks for any information you guys might have. I really like this site, it's very interesting and informative.
I recently purchased a model 17-4 in 8 3/8", sn 83k43xx. I paid $700.00, maybe a little high, but I really wanted a K-22 Can someone tell me when it was made/shipped? It came to me with target grips dated inside Dec 12 19?? (last #s are unreadable. It also came with a box and some paperwork, but it won't fit in the box with those grips, but will fit the box with standard grips I ordered later from S&W. It also came with a trigger shoe (two set screws).
I was wondering if it came with the target grips from the factory. I think the box is the wrong one as it has a different sn on it.
Thanks for any information you guys might have. I really like this site, it's very interesting and informative.
Hello Dustyrider
According to my Reference material your K-22 was made in 1980-- with the following seriel number sequences for that year being...All-57K--58K--59K--60K--61K--62K--63K--64K--65K--66K--67K--68K--78K--79K--80K--81K--82K--83K--84K--85K--86K--87K--88K--89K--90K
Your stocks should be the Magna style if your box corner's have Four holes in their steel supports. The Five Hole support corners were used for Target stock's making the box deeper to allow the gun to fit properly into the box. I surmise your gun left the factory with the smaller Profile Magna style stocks on it. The correct style Target stocks for your gun will have the Half Moon cresent cut out on the right grip panel. This cut out allowed the use of a speed Loader to be used with the gun. The stocks should be made of Gancalo-Alves wood which is a Brazilian rosewood which is a very dense hard wood. It sounds as though your box is not correct for your gun. The correct one one would have your gun's serial number written on the end flap sticker. It should be a Blue with a Bangor-Punta Corp. name under the S&W Name. 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
My box has 4 holes and the wrong sn on the sticker, but it has the Bangor Punta logo. I'm sure you meant to say that the LEFT grip should have the half moon cutout for the loader? I wonder about what looks like a date stamped inside the right grip, never heard of that before. It's a great gun, the best I have ever shot. Now I have the bug and will be searching for the 4" and 6" to complete the set! Thanks again for your information.
My box has 4 holes and the wrong sn on the sticker, but it has the Bangor Punta logo. I'm sure you meant to say that the LEFT grip should have the half moon cutout for the loader? I wonder about what looks like a date stamped inside the right grip, never heard of that before. It's a great gun, the best I have ever shot. Now I have the bug and will be searching for the 4" and 6" to complete the set! Thanks again for your information.
Hello Dustyrider
I typed the wrong grip panel speaking of the speed loader cresent cut out it would be the left panel. On the Ink stamp of the right hand panel S&W commonly ink stamped the later style target stocks. Prior to 1957 all S&W Magna style stocks have the guns actual serial number. This was done as S&W had not standardized the frame sizes back then, so it was a way of getting the right stock's back with the right revolver on final assembly, as they were hand fitted to the guns frame in the hard fitting process at the factory. Prior to 1957 it was Unusual to see Target stock's with the gun's serial number stamped into them. There were some done this way but many guy's ordered Target stock's as an up-grade and they surrounded the frames so a serial number was not Normally required on them. The Later style Ink date stamp's were common and do not follow the manufacture dates or shipping dates of a Gun. These style of stock's were Mass produced to fit the newer style standardized frame as your gun is, so I feel the Date code stamp's were used to let Management know how many stock's of Target size had been produced for that Month or year. I hope this helps, Hammerdown
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Here's my 17-4, purchased new in November '78.
The Paper Phamplet that you showed is from a late K-22 as I noticed it was date stamped 11-74. They are out there in abundance due to their Generic format compared to the early Post-War or Pre-War Phamplets being the Officer shown wearing Baggy Motorcycle Pant's in the Pre-War Pamphlet's as shown with my 1936 K-22 First Variation K-22 Outdoorsman and the Next one being a Post-War Phamplet showing the Officer wearing slacks shown with my Pre-17 Non Model Stamped K-22 that was shipped in June 1956 and Remains in Unfired condition with it's box and paperwork...Hammerdown
