My father's S&W 22LR revolver

vmiguard · November 25, 2011, 10:27 PM

I was wondering if someone could help me with a firearm identification problem:

I inherited a Smith and Wesson 22 Long Rifle CTG. It is a 6-shot double action revolver with a 6 inch barrel. It is a black metal gun with wooden handles with a diamond cutout in the center (around a screw). The rear sight is adjustable.

On the base of the handle there is what I believe to be a serial number: K 325XXX

When I open the cylinder there is a "Y", "3", "3", and another character which looks like a "9" inside a circle stamped from top to bottom. They are definitely vertical, but they are not lined up. On the swing out arm itself is stamped what appears to be the number "53518" or "S3518" and the letters "DG". Based on comments to jbwalther in: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=322815, I am assuming the gun was manufactured before 1957 (possibly 1955). Because it was suggested that guns of that age needed specific descriptions or photos, I have attached a photo of the gun (below).

There is a narrow rib, which is grooved, on the top of the gun which runs the length of the barrel. This grooved pattern is continued on both the back and front of the metal portion of the grip. The blade which comprises the front sight is squared off at the rear of the blade.The logo is on the right side of the frame and is about the size of a nickel (at least including the banners with the words "Trade" and "Mark" at the top and the bottom of the logo circle. There is a screw just below the rear sight as well as on the front of the trigger guard. The cylinder is 1 5/8 in length.

Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

30-30remchester · November 25, 2011, 11:30 PM

Your gun is a K-22. In 1957 Smith & Wesson gave their guns model numbers and they asigned this particular gun as a model 17.

gyvel · November 26, 2011, 06:15 AM

Bit of info from Supica's book: According to his listings, your gun was (supposedly) made in 1958 (K317823-K350547.) He also states that model numbering began in 1957, so, according to his data, your gun is a Model 17.

PetahW · November 26, 2011, 10:29 AM

FWIW, AFAIK the K-22/M-17 was S&W's premier target revolver of the time.

It would be most accurate if shot single-action, manually thumb-cocking the hammer for each shot, using target-grade ammo.

.

vmiguard · November 26, 2011, 11:47 AM

Wow! Thank you very much 30-30remchester, gyvel, and PetahW. I really appreciate the information.

Is it likely that S&W manufactured my gun in 1958 and had already named it the M-17, but did not stamp a model number in it anywhere? Based on the information in the prior thread I mentioned, I assumed it was made before 1957. Either way, I am glad I have the information you have provided. It is nice to know something about the gun.

PetahW, you are right. I took it to a range yesterday and shot 20 or so rounds through it. It was lots of fun! It's a good gun.

PetahW · November 26, 2011, 06:37 PM

IIRC, the frame, inside the crane (open the cylinder to observe), should be stamped: "MOD 17".

.

vmiguard · November 26, 2011, 06:44 PM

Nope, when I open the cylinder there is a "Y", "3", "3", and another character which looks like a "9" inside a circle stamped from top to bottom. They are definitely vertical, but they are not lined up. On the swing out arm itself is stamped what appears to be the number "53518" or "S3518" and the letters "DG". There is definitely not a Mod 17 or even a K-22 stamped there.

But, from reading some of the other threads, it appears this was not necessarily unusual during that time frame.

Thanks very much!

RJay · November 26, 2011, 08:16 PM

as you have already found out, it was not unusual for guns built in 1958 to not have the Model number under the crane.

Winchester_73 · November 27, 2011, 05:11 PM

So the gun is officially a model K-22 target masterpiece. Its not a model 17, and its also a 4 screw, FWIW. A nice gun.

salvadore · November 27, 2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

It would be most accurate if shot single-action, manually thumb-cocking the hammer for each shot, using target-grade ammo.

I've never been able to shoot my M-17 as accurately single action as I do double action. I believe that is because it has an excellent D/A trigger and a shorter lock time.

vmiguard · November 27, 2011, 06:34 PM

What is the 4 screw thing about? Is it significant that it is the 4 screw model? Is the difference that there are screws adjusting the sights? What is the alternative (i.e., how many screws is the other model)?

30-30remchester · November 27, 2011, 07:33 PM

Ok here goes. Smith & Wesson started out with 4 sideplate screws and one trigger guard screw. When Smith stopped using the top sideplate screw they retained the triggerguard screw for a couple years. They soon redesigned the internal works and eliminated the triggerguard screw thus resulting in the standard 3 screw design we see today. When the grips are removed you should only see 3 screws connecting the sideplate to the frame. Look in front of the triggerguard and you should see the 4th screw.

November 26, 2011, 08:16 PM	#8
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	as you have already found out, it was not unusual for guns built in 1958 to not have the Model number under the crane. __________________ Ron James

November 27, 2011, 05:11 PM	#9
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	So the gun is officially a model K-22 target masterpiece. Its not a model 17, and its also a 4 screw, FWIW. A nice gun. __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

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November 25, 2011, 11:30 PM	#2
30-30remchester Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: mountains of colorado Posts: 977	Your gun is a K-22. In 1957 Smith & Wesson gave their guns model numbers and they asigned this particular gun as a model 17.

November 26, 2011, 06:15 AM	#3
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Bit of info from Supica's book: According to his listings, your gun was (supposedly) made in 1958 (K317823-K350547.) He also states that model numbering began in 1957, so, according to his data, your gun is a Model 17.

November 26, 2011, 10:29 AM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	FWIW, AFAIK the K-22/M-17 was S&W's premier target revolver of the time. It would be most accurate if shot single-action, manually thumb-cocking the hammer for each shot, using target-grade ammo. .

November 26, 2011, 11:47 AM	#5
vmiguard Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 2011 Posts: 4	Wow! Thank you very much 30-30remchester, gyvel, and PetahW. I really appreciate the information. Is it likely that S&W manufactured my gun in 1958 and had already named it the M-17, but did not stamp a model number in it anywhere? Based on the information in the prior thread I mentioned, I assumed it was made before 1957. Either way, I am glad I have the information you have provided. It is nice to know something about the gun. PetahW, you are right. I took it to a range yesterday and shot 20 or so rounds through it. It was lots of fun! It's a good gun.

November 26, 2011, 06:37 PM	#6
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	IIRC, the frame, inside the crane (open the cylinder to observe), should be stamped: "MOD 17". .

November 26, 2011, 06:44 PM	#7
vmiguard Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 2011 Posts: 4	Nope, when I open the cylinder there is a "Y", "3", "3", and another character which looks like a "9" inside a circle stamped from top to bottom. They are definitely vertical, but they are not lined up. On the swing out arm itself is stamped what appears to be the number "53518" or "S3518" and the letters "DG". There is definitely not a Mod 17 or even a K-22 stamped there. But, from reading some of the other threads, it appears this was not necessarily unusual during that time frame. Thanks very much!

November 27, 2011, 06:34 PM	#11
vmiguard Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 2011 Posts: 4	What is the 4 screw thing about? Is it significant that it is the 4 screw model? Is the difference that there are screws adjusting the sights? What is the alternative (i.e., how many screws is the other model)?

November 27, 2011, 07:33 PM	#12
30-30remchester Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: mountains of colorado Posts: 977	Ok here goes. Smith & Wesson started out with 4 sideplate screws and one trigger guard screw. When Smith stopped using the top sideplate screw they retained the triggerguard screw for a couple years. They soon redesigned the internal works and eliminated the triggerguard screw thus resulting in the standard 3 screw design we see today. When the grips are removed you should only see 3 screws connecting the sideplate to the frame. Look in front of the triggerguard and you should see the 4th screw.