This particular revolver is a Smith & Wesson K22 Masterpiece, which was manufactured right before the introduction of model numbers. To my knowledge, this revolver was designed and produced with similar handling characteristics of the K38 Masterpiece chambered in.38 Special. The tapered rib makes it a 3rd Model K-22 Masterpiece, or in other words a 'pre-Model 17. The serial number places its delivery date in 1950. The 4 line address on yours was initiated in 1948. Below is my '3T' Model 17 and a 3rd Model K-22. You can see the tapered barrel on the K-22, which is more obvious than the tapered rib.
S&W introduced their first K-frame .22, the K-22 Outdoorsman (or K-22 First Model), in in 1931. They manufactured it until 1940. There were about 20,000 of these made. They are easily identified by their prewar hammers and the lack of a barrel rib. These are not Masterpieces in the marketing sense, but they are the direct precursor of the K-22s that got the Masterpiece designation.
In 1940 they introduced the K-22 Masterpiece (K-22 Second Model, or K-22/40), which had a shorter action and an improved adjustable rear sight. It was manufactured for only a year before the company suspended commercial production and converted to production under military contracts. Fewer than 1100 of these were made. Serial numbers are in the high 600,000 range.
After WW2, the company reintroduced the K-22 Masterpiece with some design changes and a new serial number sequence beginning at K101 in late 1946 or early 1947. The K-22 was manufactured continuously under the Masterpiece designation thereafter. In 1957 the company introduced model number designations and the K-22 Masterpiece became more commonly referred to as the Model 17.
The K-prefix in serial numbers identifies the adjustable sight K-frames of whatever caliber, so K-22s and K-38s of any barrel length, as well as the rare K-32s are all numbered together. Model marked guns were introduced around serial number K325000, but that is not a crisp dividing line. Some non-model marked guns may be found with higher numbers, and lower numbers may be found on guns that are model marked. The model marking is found on the frame under the yoke.
A couple of quick indicators: Any five screw guns (easily identified by the presence of a sideplate screw at the top of the plate near the hammer) are NOT model-marked guns. The earliest four screw guns (top sideplate screw not present following a design change) are not model-marked guns and are few in number, because they were made for only a few months before the Model-stamping began.
If you have a five screw gun with a single line address block (MADE IN U.S.A.), it was made before late summer 1948. The four line address block (MARCAS REGISTRADAS, etc.) is found on guns manufactured in late 1948 and afterward.
There were probably about 150000 non-model marked postwar K-22s manufactured. I have only four, so there are presumably lots left for interested parties. They are great revolvers. Good luck in the hunt.
In 1940 they introduced the K-22 Masterpiece (K-22 Second Model, or K-22/40), which had a shorter action and an improved adjustable rear sight. It was manufactured for only a year before the company suspended commercial production and converted to production under military contracts. Fewer than 1100 of these were made. Serial numbers are in the high 600,000 range.
After WW2, the company reintroduced the K-22 Masterpiece with some design changes and a new serial number sequence beginning at K101 in late 1946 or early 1947. The K-22 was manufactured continuously under the Masterpiece designation thereafter. In 1957 the company introduced model number designations and the K-22 Masterpiece became more commonly referred to as the Model 17.
The K-prefix in serial numbers identifies the adjustable sight K-frames of whatever caliber, so K-22s and K-38s of any barrel length, as well as the rare K-32s are all numbered together. Model marked guns were introduced around serial number K325000, but that is not a crisp dividing line. Some non-model marked guns may be found with higher numbers, and lower numbers may be found on guns that are model marked. The model marking is found on the frame under the yoke.
A couple of quick indicators: Any five screw guns (easily identified by the presence of a sideplate screw at the top of the plate near the hammer) are NOT model-marked guns. The earliest four screw guns (top sideplate screw not present following a design change) are not model-marked guns and are few in number, because they were made for only a few months before the Model-stamping began.
If you have a five screw gun with a single line address block (MADE IN U.S.A.), it was made before late summer 1948. The four line address block (MARCAS REGISTRADAS, etc.) is found on guns manufactured in late 1948 and afterward.
There were probably about 150000 non-model marked postwar K-22s manufactured. I have only four, so there are presumably lots left for interested parties. They are great revolvers. Good luck in the hunt.
His Story
| His revolver resting in his worn leather holster. |
A little less than a year ago, I lost someone very close to me. Even as I reached adulthood, he was known simply as 'Mr. Ken.'He was an active participant in my life for twenty years and I consider him to be my stepfather. He was an expert story teller and could recount his experiences with incredible detail. Mr. Ken grew up across the Midwest because his father was a pilot following the Second World War. As child in the 1950's, he fancied himself a cowboy. I've seen pictures of him in full regalia, boots and all. As a boy in Wyoming, he hunted for fossils. One of my favorite stories involved him shooting the snakes he encountered with a .22 revolver, while riding his horse named Trigger. I'd like to believe that this Smith & Wesson is that revolver, as the serial number dates to 1957.
By his late teens, Mr. Ken began to travel. He spent time in Belgium before returning to the United States to earn his bachelor's degree. He continued his education at the London School of Economics and ended up working for a pharmaceutical company in South Korea during the late 1970's. Following his time abroad, he invested in an upscale restaurant, worked on a private railroad that traversed the Sierra Madres, and earned his Dive Master SCUBA certification. Mr. Ken was a frequent diver, particularly off the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. By the late 90's, New Orleans became his home. At the Audubon Aquarium, he was a diver and made presentations to the visitors from the tanks. It was here where he met my mother at an event. From the point forward, Mr. Ken was a part of my life. When he passed, I requested to keep the K22. Once the estate is settled, it will be transferred to me in Texas.
His Revolver
This particular revolver is a Smith & Wesson K22 Masterpiece, which was manufactured right before the introduction of model numbers. To my knowledge, this revolver was designed and produced with similar handling characteristics of the K38 Masterpiece chambered in .38 Special. It is relatively heavy for a .22 handgun, but the six inch barrel aids in accuracy. I have a hard time seeing all black sights, but even I can keep them in the ten ring at 10 yards.
The craftsmanship of older S&W revolvers is impressive. The bluing is beautiful and the single action trigger is better than any of my 'modern' Smith and Wesson revolvers. The double action is a bit heavy, but I believe most shooters fired this revolver in single action. This wheel gun is a joy to shoot, even if it only visits the range a couple times each year.
Later versions of this revolver are known as the Model 17. Smith & Wesson has even introduced a
stainless steel target gun, the 617, with a ten shot cylinder and bull barrel. If you have been following Revolvers Only you may remember my post on the Smith & Wesson 617. I regularly compete with the 617 in Steel Challenge.Final Thoughts
I think it is important to note that Mr. Ken was never really a 'gun guy.' He owned a handful of firearms he thought were necessary for specific tasks, but really wasn't all that interested in firearms. He traveled while he was young and became a parent in his mid 40's. Although quiet at home, he was often the life of the party when there was a special occasion to attend. While he occasionally worked in different industries after he joined our family, his most important role was my stepfather. All in all, the man lived an incredible life.
Mr. Ken was a very positive influence on me. He encouraged me to read as much as I can about everything that interests me. Whenever I was dealing with a problem in life, he always offered a story detailing how he encountered a similar circumstance. Each tale contained a hidden lesson that helped me overcome my current predicament. He was an wonderful man and I miss him very much. I hope to keep this revolver in good condition and teach any of my children how to shoot a real gun.
As always, if you have any suggestions for future posts or would like to share your experience on the current topic please post