What have I got?

[Alaskaman]

My aunt gave me a Smith & Wesson pistol that belonged to my uncle. I am not sure, but I think it may be what was once called a K22. The gun is chambered in .22 long rifle. It has adjustable sights and a 6” barrel. It appears to have a pin through the frame where the barrel enters the frame of the gun. There is no shroud covering the ejector rod and when you swing the cylinder out, there is a M17 stamped on the frame just above the hinge pin. The serial # is 428xxx. It looks like there may be the letter K stamped at the beginning of the serial number. Is this what was called a K22? How can I find out when this pistol was made? Any help someone can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Alaskaman   

[Hammerdown]

Hello
From your description it sounds like you have a K-22 Masterpiece. By the serial Number it should be from around 1960 Time Frame. It should Not have the Upper side Plate screw that Older Models do, But it should have a screw in front of the trigger Guard area and is called a Four Screw Model. They came with a 6" Barrel in bright Blue finish, and you could have Gotten them with the small style service Grips with the diamond in the center sometimes called Magna Grips or the Larger target style Grips with the diamond in the center like the one shown. They Offered The Service style grips in Walnut and the target grips came in Walnut, Rosewood or Ganacalo-Alves wood. They had a 1/10 Patridge front sight blade and Micro Click adjustable rear sight. It could have come with a White Outline Rear sight blade as an Option or the standard Black Blade. They made them with the Narrow serrated trigger or the wider target style trigger which was also an option and it could have been Standard width or the wider Target style one as well. They also had a Hammer Option of the standard service width or the wider target versions. in or around 1961 S&W had another design change and dropped The Front trigger Guard screw and taht change started the Dash-1 series. The K-22 has been the Pride of The fleet for a serious target .22 revolver and started in 1931 with The Outdoorsman Model then progressed into The Target Masterpiece in 1940 when they added The new Micro click sights, Short cocking action, and special up swept Speed Hammer. The Picture Below should Look a lot like you Gun, But it is a Little Newer being made in 1964 and has The Optional King Gun Sight Corperation. Red Post Patridge. and I hope this Helps, Hammerdown

[Alaskaman]

Thanks for the info Hammerdown!

The picture you posted looks identical to the gun I have including the red post patridge sights. Except the grips on my gun do not have the high gloss finish on them.

Alaskaman

[Dand]

what a fine gift from your Aunt!!!  I have wanted one of those for a long time but never have pursued it aggressively.  One very fine revolver - take good care of it.