Smith & Wesson K-22 Serial Number Lookup

K-22 Does Not Always Mean K-Prefix

A common point of confusion is the difference between the model name K-22 and the letter K used in later Smith & Wesson serial numbers.

Prewar K-22 Outdoorsman and early K-22 Masterpiece revolvers used number-only serial ranges. Postwar K-22 revolvers used the broader K-prefix K-frame serial sequence. That means a prewar K-22 and a postwar K-prefix K-22 should not be researched under the same dropdown selection.

Prewar K-22 Serial Ranges

Use these ranges for prewar K-22 revolvers with number-only serials. These are not K-prefix serial numbers.

K-22 Outdoorsman

The K-22 Outdoorsman was a prewar .22 Long Rifle target revolver built on the K-frame. It is associated with a six-inch barrel, adjustable sights, a square-butt frame, and prewar target-revolver features.

The K-22 Outdoorsman serial range is number-only. If your revolver’s serial number is in the 632132-682419 range and does not begin with the letter K, use the Prewar K-22 — no K prefix, 1931–1941 option in the Serial Number Lookup.

K-22 Masterpiece

The K-22 Masterpiece followed the Outdoorsman and is generally associated with improvements such as the short-cocking action and micrometer-style target sights. Early examples still used number-only serials before the postwar K-prefix system began.

Use the prewar K-22 dropdown for number-only K-22 Masterpiece serials in the 682420-696952 range.

Postwar K-22 and the K-Prefix Sequence

After World War II, the K-22 continued as part of the broader postwar K-prefix K-frame serial sequence. These postwar serials begin with the letter K, such as K13026.

For postwar K-22 revolvers, do not use the prewar K-22 dropdown. Use K-prefix postwar K-frames instead.

The early postwar K-prefix range begins:

• 1946: K101-K614
• 1947: K615-K18731
• 1948: K18732-K73121

For the complete postwar K-prefix table, see Smith & Wesson K-Prefix Serial Numbers.

Which Dropdown Should You Use?

Use this quick guide when searching a K-22 serial number:

How to Identify a K-22

The serial number is only the beginning. To confirm a K-22, compare the revolver’s physical features with known examples.

• .22 Long Rifle chambering
• K-frame size
• Adjustable rear sight
• Target-style configuration
• Barrel markings
• Six-shot cylinder
• Square-butt frame on many early target models
• Model marking inside the yoke cut on later Model 17 revolvers

Pre-Model 17 and Model 17

Postwar K-22 Masterpiece revolvers made before model-number stamping are often called pre-Model 17 revolvers. After Smith & Wesson began using model numbers, the K-22 Masterpiece became known as the Model 17.

If the revolver is a later example, open the cylinder and check the yoke cut for a model marking such as MOD. 17 or an engineering change such as 17-2.

Example Searches

• 650000
  Falls within the prewar K-22 Outdoorsman number-only range.
• 690000
  Falls within the prewar K-22 Masterpiece number-only range.
• K13026
  Falls within the 1947 K-prefix postwar K-frame range.

Try your own serial number in the Serial Number Lookup.

When to Order a Factory Letter

A factory letter is worthwhile for a K-22 when originality, shipment date, barrel length, destination, or special configuration matters. This is especially true for early prewar examples, unusual barrel lengths, boxed collector pieces, special-order features, or revolvers with features that do not match the expected configuration.

Learn more on the Factory Letters page.

Research Notice

Seeing the Elephant provides independent collector research and estimated serial-number context. It is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson and does not replace official factory records. Serial-number results should not be used as proof of model, originality, condition, value, or exact shipment date.