K22 Smith and Wesson

R

RogerC

New member
Picked this up today. I'll put up some better pictures later.

Smith and Wesson K22 4 inch.

Ser # 1352xx. I believe it is from 1951 or '52.

5 Screw.

It's been shot, and shows some signs of use, but is in really nice shape.

Believe it or not, with all my Smiths, this is my first K22 :eek:

Not bad for $250, I think............

k22a.jpg
 
Last edited:
Nice, but strictly speaking, it is not a K-22 (later Model 17). It is a Combat Masterpiece in .22 (later Model 18). I have both and I like the shorter barrel better, though it is hard to beat the K-22 for target work.

Jim
 
I think a lot of folks generally refer to any .22 rim fire K frame S&W as a "K22." The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson calls it the K22 Combat Masterpiece.

That's a beaut and you paid about $50-$100 less than I would have guessed would be required to pry it from the previous owners hand.

Assuming you left out the K prefix, it was made in 1951.
 
SP is correct. The proper name for this one is K22 Combat Masterpiece.

It is what eventually became the Model 18.
 
As others have noted you have a "pre-model 18" K-22 Combat Masterpiece. It was originally intended as an understudy for the K-38 Combat Masterpiece in training police officers. I notice it has a target hammer, that was optional on these guns. It might have been installed at the factory or as an aftermarket item. The grips appear to be original and should be serial numbered on the inside. It was most likely made in 1951. The model was introduced in 1948 or 49. Enjoy you're buy - it's a good one.
 
Nice, aren't they ? :)

I picked this one up earlier this year for $200. The grips are wrong, but it's still a very tight, fine shooting old .22:)
 

Attachments

  • k22_small.jpg
    k22_small.jpg
    42.1 KB · Views: 171
Nice.

I got mine a few years back for $125. :D Seems that the previous owner never cleaned it, so it started having hangup problems on some cylinders (hard to cycle, hard to eject, cartridges wouldn't seat fully....yeah, must be the gun :rolleyes: ).

His loss, my gain. :D Fuuuuuuuuun guns.

Mike
 
Good Find!

I had the same weapon, after it became known as
S&W model 18 "Combat Masterpiece". My friend, the
Capbuster also had one; and we put thousands of
rounds thru these fine firearm's. As it turned out, the
model 18 became my favorite .22 caliber revolver.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life member
 
Nice, I missed a 5 screw k22 a while back . A friend of min foud a local shop that had 3 kinds. I had the money but no time to get there. He bought one . Another friend bought one. By the time I got around to going to the shop the third was gone. They are real nice shooters . Good luck with it.




Litlman.......................
 
Heres one thats relative new

compaired to most of the pictures. Doen't stop it from shooting just like a mid 50's model though:
 
Last edited:
Last year I picked up these two beauties from my local gunshop. An older man brought the two of them in. I grabbed the K22 Masterpiece right away, intending to get the Model 14-3 a little later. But he came back and took the .38 back for his son. Several months later it came back in and my dealer held it for me. Two fine examples of older S&W craftsmanship. The 14-3 is on top.
 

Attachments

  • target guns.jpg
    target guns.jpg
    47.7 KB · Views: 150
Very nice one and all. Mine is a 6" from the late 50s. I keep it at my dad's house for my annual visit. He has had it since the late 50s and I have shot it since childhood. A couple years ago, he offically gave it to me. I usually shoot close to 1000 rounds out of it during my time there. Lately I have been thinking about getting another one that I can use on a daily basis. But, I very seldom see one for sale locally. I have also been thinking that since I already own a 6" maybe I should look for an 8 3/8". I have always like the 8 3/8" guns. I currently have an 8 3/8" Model 14 and a Model 686. Now here is the rub. I have actually been considering the idea of buying a new one. Out of all the Smiths I own and have owned, I never bought one new. And, I would like to see what a new one looks like. Of course the word is that they are no where as good as the old ones, and I don't doubt it, but I would kinda like to see for myself. I don't know, I see them in Gun List and on the on-line auctions all the time. Maybe I need another old one. Decisions, decsisons.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top