Old Smith & Wesson Revolver

[Jack101]

Can someone please help me identify this old Smith & Wesson Revolver I just bought? I thought it was an old 5 screw k-22 masterpiece but now I am not too sure. Its serial number seems to date back to 1948. Any insight would be appreciated!

I would upload more photos but the file size limit is a killer.

Here is some more info:

Under the ejection rod (visible when the cylinder is out) there is text saying: K 70746
Not sure what the placement is called but when you open the cylinder you can see this text on the inside: "9 wo" and then under that it says "83417"
In that last line of numbers the spacing between the 8 and the 3 is very wide. There is also weird spacing between the 4 and the 1.

Does anyone have any insight?

[leroy]

Jack...

I think it is a K 22.  The target rear sight n the gold dot front sight should identify it.  A genuine " Coon Hunter's Special "...

I like it ..!

leroy...

[Moped]

Looks like a K22 to me too, Leroy.

[Jack101]

1 hour ago, leroy said:

Jack...

I think it is a K 22.  The target rear sight n the gold dot front sight should identify it.  A genuine " Coon Hunter's Special "...

I like it ..!

leroy...

Thank you! Is the coon hunter thing from an old advertisement?

[Grayfox54]

Yep, a good ol' K-22 Masterpiece. 

The number on the underside of the barrel should be the serial number. However, the official serial number will be found on the bottom of the grip frame. You'll have to take those grips off to see it. Although very unlikely, there is a chance the barrel was swapped. Just to be absolutely sure, I'd check it. 

BTW: the serial number should also be on the back of the cylinder under the ejector star. 

Nice find!  These are great guns. 

[Gurn]

Would be a good one to get lettered 

[Jack101]

2 hours ago, Gurn said:

Would be a good one to get lettered 

What does this mean?

[Jack101]

3 hours ago, Grayfox54 said:

Yep, a good ol' K-22 Masterpiece. 

The number on the underside of the barrel should be the serial number. However, the official serial number will be found on the bottom of the grip frame. You'll have to take those grips off to see it. Although very unlikely, there is a chance the barrel was swapped. Just to be absolutely sure, I'd check it. 

BTW: the serial number should also be on the back of the cylinder under the ejector star. 

Nice find!  These are great guns. 

Thank you! Is the ejector rod the same as the ejector star?

[leroy]

8 hours ago, Jack101 said:

Thank you! Is the coon hunter thing from an old advertisement?

Jack....

I'm absolutely convinced that there has to be some advertising copy somewhere in the old outdoor magazines that lists this great old revolver as a " Coon Hunter's Special ". 

I grew up in East Tennessee, a coon hunting hotbed, by the way; and all the old polished coon hunters ( and they were plenty ) either owned or pined for a Smith K-22.  I'm north of 78 years young, and all the old timers ( and lots of the new generation) absolutely loved these revolvers.  They are easy ta carry and deadly accurate. Your specimen is a great one from antiquity.

leroy.   

[Grayfox54]

The number should be stamped on the back of the cylinder. You'll have to push the ejector rod to see it. 

[leroy]

5 hours ago, Jack101 said:

What does this mean?

Smith and Wesson has a service where they can " authenticate " the date of manufacture, the exact model number, and ( I think ) the original consignee. of any specific gun --- all for a fee.  

leroy.

[Choatecav]

2 minutes ago, leroy said:

Smith and Wesson has a service where they can " authenticate " the date of manufacture, the exact model number, and ( I think ) the original consignee. of any specific gun --- all for a fee.  

leroy.

Colt has it too....... but it sure ain't free.

[DJTC45]

S&W charges $100 for the "letter" it will tell you what year it was made, and should give a history of were it was shipped to. If you want to have them do the search for you, I believe I have a copy of the paperwork you'll need to fill out, just PM if you can and I can send it to you in email form to print out. You also need to see if you can find a set of orginal wood grips for it.

[Jack101]

Just now, DJTC45 said:

S&W charges $100 for the "letter" it will tell you what year it was made, and should give a history of were it was shipped to. If you want to have them do the search for you, I believe I have a copy of the paperwork you'll need to fill out, just PM if you can and I can send it to you in email form to print out. You also need to see if you can find a set of orginal wood grips for it.

I'll try to see if I can PM yet, I appreciate that! Where would you suggest looking for original wood grips?

[Jack101]

2 hours ago, leroy said:

Jack....

I'm absolutely convinced that there has to be some advertising copy somewhere in the old outdoor magazines that lists this great old revolver as a " Coon Hunter's Special ". 

I grew up in East Tennessee, a coon hunting hotbed, by the way; and all the old polished coon hunters ( and they were plenty ) either owned or pined for a Smith K-22.  I'm north of 78 years young, and all the old timers ( and lots of the new generation) absolutely loved these revolvers.  They are easy ta carry and deadly accurate. Your specimen is a great one from antiquity.

leroy.   

Thank you! This was a huge help.

[DJTC45]

Sent you a PM. If your going to start collecting the pre lock Smith and Wessons here's a book that has a bunch of info. That way you can read up on the models and it has dates and info on the older ones to some of the new ones.