What is it Really?

[tddude]

I purchased a Smith Model 18 .22 a few months ago and have loved it immensly. However, I have the "I wanna new gun" itch so I was looking to trade it for something.

The owner of the place where I trade took it in the back and was gone a long time. When he came back, scratching his head, asked me why I thought it was a model 18 because he couldn't really tell what it was.

I told him it was a model 18 cause I went on Gunbroker.com and looked at pictures until I found it. Basically it looks like one. When I found it in a north Houston pawn shop, I thought I was getting a generic Smith .22 revolver that I could use to teach my kids to shoot. I've even reviewed it on the gun review section of this forum. Then, he pulled out his 20 year old model 18 and we started comparing.

First off, the model number is not stamped in the frame by the yoke. I’m not a Smith expert by any means but apparently Smith & Wesson always stamps the model number on the frame under the yoke. It has "J.S.4" stamped where the model number should go.

His model has a square handle and mine has a rounded handle. None of the literature he had in the shop shows any Model 18’s with anything but a square handle. I don’t have the original grips, bummer.

The hammer & trigger is not dropforged. They look almost like a stainless steel. Anyway, they are a bright silver color without the discoloration that dropforged gives.

Mine is a 4-screw version that hints at its age. Also, mine has paint filled letters. The paint is a dull yellow color that basically makes the lettering on the pistol easier to read.

I guess the oddest thing is that the serial number is not stamped in the bottom of the handle. It’s only on the yoke and the frame. It has a "K" on one end of the base and the number "29" on the other end.

No, I don’t have a digital camera and haven’t bothered to learn how to post pictures. I can borrow a camera and I’m sure my DSL account has some server space someplace that I can access.

I’ll probably pay the $30.00 to Smith & Wesson to have them research it cause it is a bit odd. The shop owner thinks may be a prototype, which would make it very valuable. Anyway, I thought some of you might have an idea of where to research.

What were you guys saying about honest gun shop owners?? They are definitely worth their weight in brass. This guy could have taken me for a ride. I just wanted to trade it for a Glock and found out that I may have something worth 10 glocks. Cool huh? Regardless of it’s eventual worth, I’m not selling.

["DoubleAction"]

TD; S&W began stampimg the model numbers in 1957; prior to that, you can look for a "K" prefix to the serial number. The Model 18s were known as the K-22 Combat Masterpieces, the early postwar backstraps had 6 grooves, and the later guns had 10 grooves. I can dig some more later on this piece; In the meantime, tell all you know on the gun, including any markings, finish, if it has the adjustable trigger stop, and anything else.

[tddude]

DA

Well, there's no K in the serial number. It's 90###. The backstrap does have 10 groves. I'm not sure what you mean by an adjustable trigger stop so I guess it doesn't have one. The right side plate is held by 4 screws including the one in front of the trigger guard.
There's really nothing else to go on. Round handle and paint filled lettering is it. The finish is blue.

Let me know if you have any sources I can check.

Thanks.

[tddude]

Well, according to the good folks over at a Smith & Wesson forum, it appears that the butt of my pistol was modified sometime in the past. Whoever did it was a real master because the backstrap ribs go all the way to the bottom and are arrow straight.

No big deal. I'm used to being the guy on the Antique Road Show that brings in the costume jewelry that was almost, but not quite the real deal.

It's still a great little shooter.

["DoubleAction"]

Dude; The numbered models, from what I've seen, will have either a K prefix or a K following a number. Prior to the numbered models, the serial numbers are listed as follows:

K-22 Outdoorsmans

1931 - 1940

SN# 632132 - 682419

K-22 Masterpiece

1940 - 1941

SN# 682420 - 696952

See if these numbers will help.

The Gun Control act of 1968 required changes in the serials numbers, prior to that, the K-Frame serial prefix covered eleven models and six different calibers in the S&W lineup.
The adjustable trigger stop with be a screw mounted on the trigger to allow for the adjustment of it's over travel.
I'm looking into the "JS-4" to see if I can track that down.

[tddude]

Thanks for the continued effort.

I did find what I believe is a complete serial number. It's 294673 and I found it under the ejection star. The ejection star does not have the K prefix. It doesn't match the number stamped on the frame under the yoke but the first two digits (29) match the number stamped on the butt. I'm afraid the rest of the serial number on the butt was cut away when (or if) it was rounded. The number on the frame and yoke match but not to the number under the star. There is no number on the flat side of the barrel or on the cylinder.

Also the hammer & trigger are not "color case hardened". I guess they could have been replaced but I can't imagine what benifit it would give.

SmithNut (who was very helpful and patient with this here beginner) over on the S&W forum tells me from the serial number that it was made aroud 1957 and that a very good gunsmith rounded the butt and changed out the hammer/trigger for something not color case hardened.

Man, who knows what kind of klepped together pistol I have.

Thanks again for the continued effort.