Angelo Bee Engraved Smith & Wesson S&W 48-4 .22 LR & Magnum Revolver, 1981
Sold For: $5,550
LSB#: 200626BB46
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 48-4, the K-22 Masterpiece Magnum Rimfire
Serial Number: 98K1275
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Caliber: .22 Magnum with .22 Long Rifle Cylinder.
Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON” in gold. The yoke cut is marked “98K1275 / MOD. 48-4”. The butt is marked “98K1275”. The right side of the barrel is marked “22 M.R.F. CTG” in gold. The right side of the frame is marked with the four line Marcas Registradas address. The sideplate is marked with the S&W logo. The butt is marked “98K1275”. The yoke and the sides of the grip frame have inspection marks. The barrel, frame and cylinders have extensive relief scroll engraving with gold bordering and a gold eagle’s head on the left of the frame under the cylinder latch.
Barrel Length: 6”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade. The rear sight is an S&W micrometer click square notch adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth bone panels. The grips have only a few scatered minor marks and spots of discoloration. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Gold
Finish Originality: Refinished at the time of engraving.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The hammer and trigger show operational wear in otherwise strong case-color. The installed .22 Magnum cylinder has almost imperceptible turn-wear, not through the finish. The .22 LR cylinder shows wear at the outside rear edge near one of the chambers. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The single action trigger is crisp and the double action smooth. The cylinder locks up with barely perceptible play when the trigger is depressed. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a wood display case with S&W inlaid medallion on the outside of the lid, green velvet interior fitted for the revolver and extra cylinder, two inlaid S&W medallions in the lid flanking a plate marked “Smith & Wesson / MODEL 48-4 / FACTORY ENGRAVED & GOLD INLAID / BY ANGILO BEE / K-22 MASTERPIECE MAGNUM / CALIBER .22 WIN MAG. WITH / .22 LR AUXILIARY CYLINDER / SR. NO. 98K1275 / MFG YEAR 1891” (note, to the best of our knowledge, Angelo Bee has never been a Smith & Wesson factory engraver), and a brass latch. The case shows light storage wear with a few scattered light nicks and scratches on the exterior, only minor wear from the contents on the interior, in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Our Assessment: Though the .22 Magnum cartridge was developed by Winchester, their development of a firearm that chambered the cartridge lagged and Smith & Wesson was able to modify their Model 17 to accept the new cartridge in a matter of months. Voila! The model 48 was born. Since then, to this very day, it has remained a popular companion gun for rifles chambered in the same caliber, especially since it could also be equipped with a .22 LR cylinder. This example, though, has become quite something more than a simple companion gun. With a beautiful display case and gorgeous engraving and gold inlay set off nicely by a pair of bone grips, this 48-4 is now a work of art! We were not able to find a signature, but this revolver has previously been publicly auctioned as being engraved by Angelo Bee, and it certainly looks like his work. This is a wonderful revolver to add to any collection, and will certainly catch the eye and interest of anyone who can appreciate a beautiful revolver. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This revolver CANNOT be sold as a dealer sale in California but CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) as our Simi Valley location. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
