Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds need an ID and value of a S&W

good afternoon,,,bought this revolver legally off an older gentleman about 25 or so years ago along with about 1000 rounds of 22LR shorts that are long gone for $60 total,,,he only shot it in his basement,which explain the steel wool marks on the right side of the frame and ejector rod,,,took it to a gunsmith he said it was a K-22 and offered me $450 for it,,,can anyone tell me the model #,date of birth, and the estimated value of this revolver,,,i apology for the phone pics,,,more pics upon request,,,all replies appreciated,,,QD






















[img]https://i.postimg.cc/pdMBTPsL/IMG-0913.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/K8MNx1rW/IMG-0914.jpg[/img]

I'm no expert. But I've seen K-22s in rough shape for about $600.

Swing the cylinder open and inside the opening will be a model number. Also, is there a screw in front of the trigger guard that goes back toward the rear of the revolver?
This will tell you whether it is what’s called a 5 screw model. The screw at the top of the sideplate indicates that it is at least a 4screw.

That one's old enough that it wouldn't have an actual model. Can't tell the barrel length, but if it's a 4" it would be a Pre-model 18, if it's a 6" it would be a Pre-17.

can’t find a model # but it does have a screw in front of the trigger guard and is is a 6” barrel,,,thanks so far for the reply’s

Standard Catalog of S&W puts that serial number in 1951.

1951 K104048 - K136690

So, you have a K-22 Masterpiece postwar 3rd Model (5 screw) in rough shape cosmetically. Wouldn't begin to guess a value, obviously worth at least $450 to someone. No collector value in that condition, even as a shooter it would only appeal to someone who really likes old K-22's or someone who wanted to try his hand at a restoration.

Pretty rough condition and still trying to figure out why shooting it in the basement causes steel wool marks… anyway, I believe the $450 offer was fair.

Is the Spanish writing on the side of the frame normal? That one threw me for a loop but I am too lazy to dig one out to compare.

It looks like a mechanically solid K-frame 22 with a rough finish.


That would be about right in western Washington.


"Marcas Registradas" is the Spanish equivalent of "Registered Trademark." It's normal.


Okie John

That’s the 4th screw. 5th screw is upper side plate.

If the original owner shot mostly shorts... plus the 1k shorts that came with it... there is a strong possibility the cylinder has potentially rough chambers.

Cleaning it well and taking a picture or two of the chambers should be an important step in determining value.

I am real fond of K-22s.

thanks everyone for your replies,,,the 1000 shorts were sold separately after the sale,,,in the 25 or so years i owned it,i only shot cci mini mags out of it,only about 100,,,the cylinder bores along with the barrel bore are bright and shiny with sharp rifling,,,the steel wool scratches were caused by poor storing in the basement,,,i’ll get a pic of the bores tomorrow,,,again,,,thanks,,,QD

Damn shame about the steel wool scratchies. That makes it worth not a helluva lot more than $450, maybe $600 to someone feeling charitable, IMO. Were it mine I would shoot the heck out of it.

40's-50's vintage K's, pre-war Colt Officer's Models, and post-war Officer's Model Matches = the best era for quality .22 target revolvers, IMO. I have examples of all of them, shoot them a pretty fair bit, and honestly can't pick a favorite among them. They all shoot like young rifles.

I would consider popping that side plate off, polishing it on a fine stone, and having it rust blued (or even thoroughly Oxpho-Blued, don't laugh). It won't match the rest of the gun but in terms of eradicating the steel wool damage it'll look three times better than it does now.

Know a guy who bought a 1948 w/o the “steel wool” issues for ~$500 recently. Was a Gunbroker purchase.

Interesting at least to me that the 17-3 models seem to sell for a premium above other K-22 models. Just an observation from a casual onlooker. There are web sights which track specific purchases. I feel certain your aware of these.

Storage in a basement has nothing to do with the “steel wool” scratches to the finish. They didn’t appear due to storage. Someone deliberately put them there for reasons unknown but easily assumed.

Given my again, “casual observations” $450 was a solid offer. Especially if I had no further interest or useful plans for the pistol. Fickle thing the value placed on particular items. Good luck finding the right buyer.

being stored in the basement is why he used steel wool to remove some surface rust,,,i was in his basement and it was damp

Yeah people seem to not realize that some oil, a cloth, and elbow grease can clear up lots of surface rust without scaring it up.

i am finding it very difficult to take pics of the cylinder bore and the barrel bore,,,you’ll have to take my word for it,,,both are bright and shiney with no signs of corrosion or pitting,,,if it wasn’t for the steel wool scratches,i’d probably rate this revolver at 80%,,,again i appreciate all your replies,,,QD

Just shoot it !

I have a K 4 screw born in 1952, that is in pristine condition, grips are numbered to the serial number, I don't lnow what mine is worth but it can be bought. No steel wool marks on mine and don't even want any in the house. Cannot imagine putting a gun in a damp basement