1957 Smith & Wesson K-22

Here, you can identify the year of your 3rd Model gun by the serial number. Production began in December 1946.

S&W Serial Number Table

Post-War S&W K-22 Masterpiece Pre-17

The First Model K-22 was named the Outdoorsman and was produced 1931-1939. The name was changed to Masterpiece with the Second Model in 1940, but less than 1,100 Second Models were made when all production ceased due to the war. After the war ended, production of the Third Model K-22 Masterpiece began in 1946 and lasted until 1957. My gun is Serial Number K316348, making it one of the last Pre-17s produced (see serial number table). And although I don't have a letter yet, I'm sure it shipped in 1958.

You don't name a gun Masterpiece and not back it up with beauty, grace and workmanship. Smith & Wesson went beyond backing up the claim, "no brag, just fact." A real thing of beauty.... says the guy who collects mostly Colts. If you don't understand my excitement over this old .22, well you might as well just click on over to the semi-autos or long guns, because you can't love revolvers and not have an appreciation for this one.

Seller's Description: S&W model K22 .22LR revolver with a 6" barrel and factory Gold Box. Blue condition is a shiny 93% with a couple of blue loss spots and holster wear at the muzzle, and some handling marks on the frame and cylinder. Bore is excellent, as well as the diamond grips. Features pinned barrel, recessed cylinder, ribbed grip and top strap, S&W diamond grips, adjustable rear sight, and patridge front sight. The seller also stated, "the serial number dates it to 1957, but S&W started stamping the model 17 number on these in 1957, and there is no model 17 stamp on this one."

So what is the big deal about having a 5-screw gun versus a 4-screw gun?, you ask. In technical terms, absolutely nothing other than screw count and how the side plate is held in place. The "big deal" is whatever you make out of it. To me, the deletion of that fifth screw marks the beginning of a never-ending pursuit of cost-saving measures. It marks a change in priorities or mind-set from how can we make the best possible gun to how can we be more profitable. Here's a link to my 1953 5-Screw gun

$1,023 Purchase Price Break-Down

S&W Guaranteed 1½" Groups at 50 Yards

The time period that these Third Model guns were being manufactured was a very unique atmosphere. World War II had just ended and there was cause for celebration. Almost all young men had been exposed to guns. The number of shooting events in the Olympics grew from 4 to 7 during this time. There was a real demand for these guns and Smith & Wesson was very serious about producing the best gun possible. In fact, in the early days when this gun was first introduced, you had to put your name on a waiting list to get one.

Note about 3-Screw added December 1, 2021:

After getting comments and questions through my Facebook page about 5-Screw, 4-Screw and 3-Screw, I decided to add the following information even though it doesn't apply to my K-22s, because I don't own a 3-Screw gun.

The Fourth Screw that was dropped in 1961 was located on the front of the trigger guard. The purpose of that screw was to keep the cylinder stop pressurized by applying pressure to the spring behind it. When they dropped that screw, they simply made the frame solid there, as they are still doing today.

Was this change made to improve the gun? No, it was just another cost-saving measure. Is a 4-Screw gun better than a 3-Screw gun? No, see my comments earlier about the 4-Screw versus 5-Screw guns. How To Tell If You Have a 5-Screw, 4-Screw or 3-Screw Gun