Smith & Wesson 17-5 K22 Masterpiece .22 LR 4″ Double Action Revolver 1989
SOLD FOR: $1,000.00
LSB#: LSB260707DK066
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 17-5, The K-22 Masterpiece
Serial Number: BAN6957
Year of Manufacture: 1989 / Modern (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson)
Caliber: .22 LR
Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver With Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”. The right side of the barrel is marked “.22 LONG RIFLE CTG.” The right side of the frame is marked with the four-line Marcas Registradas. The left side of the frame is marked with the S&W monogram. The crane cut is marked “BAN6957” and “MOD. 17-5”. The bottom of the grip frame is marked “BAN6957”.
Barrel Length: 4”, Solid Rib
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade atop a ramped rib. The rear sight is a micrometer click square notch and is adjustable for windage and elevation. The top of the rib and the topstrap are serrated and have a matte finish for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered magna grips with S&W medallions. There are scattered scratches and compression marks. The checkering remains sharp with minimal peak loss. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, this set of grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued Case-color hammer and trigger
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is minor fouling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 90% of its original finish. There are scattered scratches and scuff marks. There is thinning along the barrel. The barrel has a plum tone under bright light. There is a brown patina forming on the frame. The case color remains vibrant. The action shows operational wear. There is a turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double action is smooth and the single action is crisp. The lockup is tight with minimal play at each chamber. 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: None
Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece traces its lineage to the company’s prewar target revolvers and became one of the most respected .22 Long Rifle revolvers of the 20th century. Renamed the Model 17 in 1957, it was built on the medium K frame and designed to provide the same size, balance, and trigger characteristics as Smith & Wesson’s centerfire target revolvers while using economical .22 LR ammunition. The Model 17 became popular for formal target shooting, training, small game use, and recreational shooting. The 17-5 engineering change appeared in the late 1980s and represents a later production stage of the classic K-22 line, with this 1989 example using the handy 4″ barrel configuration rather than the more traditional longer target barrel.
This revolver is in Very Good overall condition and retains about 90% of its original finish. There are scattered scratches and scuffs, thinning along the barrel, a plum tone visible under bright light, and a developing brown patina on the frame. The action shows normal operational wear and the cylinder displays a turn line, while the case colors on the hammer and trigger remain vibrant. The two piece checkered Magna grips remain in Fine condition with scattered handling marks, sharp checkering, minimal peak loss, and no chips or cracks. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, minor fouling, and no erosion, rating 9/10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, with a smooth double action pull, crisp single action operation, and tight lockup with minimal play at each chamber. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY