Smith & Wesson S&W Model K22 Masterpiece .22LR D/A Revolver, 1948 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: LSB260311CC006
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: K22 Masterpiece
Serial Number: K48054
Year of Manufacture: 1948 / C&R ( Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 5th Edition )
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action, Swing-Out, Fluted Cylinder Revolver W/ Recessed 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 4-line Marcas Registradas and the S&W trademark logo. The butt of the grip frame has the serial number. The crane and crane cut is marked with inspector marks. The inside of the right grip panel is stamped with the matching serial number. The barrel flat is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 6” Pinned, Full Tapered rib
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a patridge blade fixed to a serrated rise integral to the serrated barrel rib. The rear sight is a flat top, square notched leaf in a base that is micrometer click adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: These stocks are two piece checkered magna grips with silver S&W medallions, and diamonds centered around the escutcheons. There are handling scratches and compression dents. There is thinning of the finish and a small chip out of the left panel, near the front of the butt. There is some verdigris on the medallions and the escutcheons. The checkering remains sharp with defined peaks. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color Trigger & Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are handling marks and scratches along the surfaces. There is finish loss at the muzzle, trigger well, and the leading edges. There is a turn line on the cylinder, with carbon rings on the face. The ejector rod shows operational use. The screw heads are sharp, with light use. The markings are clear and legible. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with minimal play on each chamber when the trigger is depressed. There is no end shake. 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: This 1948 Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece is a desirable early postwar C&R rimfire target revolver and a fine example of S&W’s classic K-frame craftsmanship. The K-22 Masterpiece was introduced after World War II as the refined successor to earlier K-22 target models, offering the feel and balance of a centerfire K-frame with the economy and low recoil of .22 LR. Alongside the K-38 and K-32 Masterpiece revolvers, the K-22 helped form Smith & Wesson’s famous postwar target revolver lineup. This example features a 6″ pinned barrel with full tapered rib, recessed cylinder, Patridge front sight, micrometer-click adjustable rear sight, blued finish, case-colored hammer and trigger, and matching-number Magna stocks and barrel flat, giving it strong appeal to collectors and vintage target shooters alike.
This revolver rates in about Fine overall condition, retaining approximately 97% of its original metal finish with handling marks, scratches, muzzle wear, trigger-well wear, leading-edge finish loss, a cylinder turn line, carbon rings on the cylinder face, and operational wear on the ejector rod. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, rating 9/10 in this writer’s opinion. The matching walnut diamond Magna stocks rate Very Good-Fine, showing handling scratches, compression dents, finish thinning, verdigris around the medallions and escutcheons, and a small chip near the front of the left panel’s butt, but no cracks and sharp checkering. Mechanically, the action functions correctly, the cylinder locks with minimal play on each chamber when the trigger is depressed, and there is no end shake. With its early postwar production date, matching components, strong bore, and classic S&W target configuration, this K-22 Masterpiece should appeal to Smith & Wesson collectors, rimfire revolver enthusiasts, and shooters who appreciate the accuracy and balance of vintage K-frame target revolvers. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY