Help identifying Smith and Wesson revolver

[shedlock]

I believe it is a K-22 Outdoorsman 22lr 2nd generation from about 1935. Can someone please confirm?

SN: 6452xx

What have looked at:
Round hammer vs stepped
Pinned barrel
Made in U.S.A on one line
5 screw model
Pre-micro click sights
Stainless dot on front sight

Also are these the original wood grips? What is an approximately value of the revolver?

Thanks

 

[shedlock]

More pix

pix of revolver con't

 

[shedlock]

more pix

more pix of revolver con't

 

[SaxonPig]

Stocks are from the 1970s. Gun is surely pre-war. I don't even try to guess gun values any longer.

 

[Jim Watson]

Agree, K22 Outdoorsman from the 1930s.
Grips about 50 years newer.
Resale value substantial.

 

[James K]

The gun appears to have been reblued.

Jim

 

[GaryED50]

Very nice revolver

Gary

 

[Lucas McCain]

Jim, what are you seeing that tells you it has been re-blued? Is it the finish lusture. All I noticed is the trade mark on the left side, but maybe that just the way the picture turned out. The other markings I thought were sharp.

 

[Salmoneye]

Is it just me, or is that turn line off center?

 

[shedlock]

Grips

Would be it worth it to try and get correct grips, even if they won't be original? Would that help value at all?

I have seen Outdoorsmans models that do have these grips, one example I've found.

 

[Jim Watson]

I do not think they had the big target grips in the 1930s.
The original grips on that K22 were probably the skimpy "service" type grips.
Magna grips were new in the late 1930s, standard on the .357 Magnum, optional at extra cost on others.

If JK is right and it has been reblued (It looks suspiciously shiny to me, but at least they didn't buff and blue the hammer and trigger.) then the price of correct grips would probably not be worthwhile.
They might not anyhow, grips were numbered to the gun in those days and it would be obvious that even if "correct" they were not original.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

You have a 1st Model K-22, not a 2nd Model. (Generations are for Colts). First Model Serial Numbers ran from 632124 to about 682419 and were produced from 1931 until 1940. Second Model SNs ran from 682404 - 696952, only manufactured 1940 to 1941.

First Models had the 'pre-micro click' rear sight and old long action, 2nd Models came with the larger micrometer click rear sight and the short action. 2nd Models had a large S&W trademark on the side plate, 1st Models had a small S&W trademark on the left side of the frame.

I have K-22 SN 6444XX. It shipped in January of 1932. Yes, the grips are incorrect.

This First Model K-22 does not belong to me, I wish it did. It has the correct grips. It also has a trigger shoe and a grip adapter.

I know of a K-22 in a store near here that is priced at $1500. It does not have the correct grips on it and as far as I know it is still in the showcase. Putting correct grips on an old gun is always nice, but it usually will not enhance the collector's value unless the grips are original and numbered to the gun.


I believe the dot on the front sight you are talking about is silver, not stainless. It was called a Call front sight (from S&W employee Charles Call) and they came with either a gold inlay or a silver inlay.

 

[shedlock]

Thanks to all for the replies, help was much appreciated.

 

[highpower3006]

I have no other real info to add other than I looked at your photos carefully and IMO it has not been reblued. Usually the pin under the rear sight and the barrel pin will tend to be flush with the frame surface after a refinish. Yours are still proud of the surface. Also the logo looks good and I couldn't see any dishing around the side plate screws.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

Those are the same grips that were on my Model 19-3 when I bought it new in 1975. At the time they were known as Over Sized Target Stocks.

And I agree, close examination of your photos shows me no evidence of a refinish. The only questionable photo is the one showing the right side of the frame. What I believe is simply an odd reflections looks like a wavy finish.