I ran across a K-22 just like that one, about 7 or 8 years ago. Like an idiot, I said " I've already got a M-17-4. I don't need another. Who needs two K-22's anyway! " nvonjvila tnbtlaa Bob
The gun is a bit of a anomoly. It is from 1953 and has a fishook or speed style hammer from the Pre-War era. I believe the latest examples of S&W using up old inventory like that extends to a example in the 1970's... :mrgreen:
It's a topic unto itself. I posted the gun more to see who might pick up on the history, then anything else....
I know there are a few here that can add a good deal of information about the various hammers...and hope that we can all learn something from the discussion.
Some of us are here to learn more...
I think it's time the rest of us, are willing to teach.....
It would be nice to make this a teaching forum for the newer members....
The gun is a bit of a anomoly. It is from 1953 and has a fishook or speed style hammer from the Pre-War era. I believe the latest examples of S&W using up old inventory like that extends to a example in the 1970's... :mrgreen:
It's a topic unto itself. I posted the gun more to see who might pick up on the history, then anything else....
I know there are a few here that can add a good deal of information about the various hammers...and hope that we can all learn something from the discussion.
Some of us are here to learn more...
I think it's time the rest of us, are willing to teach.....
It would be nice to make this a teaching forum for the newer members....
Giz: You say, what you call the fish hook hammer was pre-world war ll?
I think that hammer was called the speed hammer, is the reference as a fish hook hammer of your origin or sort of a S&W insider description?
I don't know much about pre-war K-frame 22 target revolvers - So, did the pre-war K-22's have a short action and speed hammer? I was under the impression that was a post war development, but I'm asking because I don't know.
I know that early post war M&P's had the old long action with the pre-war hammer, I know when S&W went to the short action the speed hammers started appearing on M&P's.
"Speed Hammer" is how the factory referenced these hammers in advertising that announced the first "Short Action" K-22/40 Masterpiece 2nd Models. Prior to that the K-22 "Outdoorsman's" or First Models were of the Long Action type.
These few one thousand or so pre-war Masterpiece 2nd Models were shipped in 1940 (thus they are sometimes called K-22/40) until supplies of them were exhausted immediately before the US entry in the war in 1941.
After the war, S&W retooled for the entirely new, and familiar K-22 Masterpiece, 3rd Model, and retained this hammer shape.
Later post war guns which were all short action maintained this hammer shape until well into the late 50's for the K-22 and early 60's for center fire guns. You will see this hammer shape on K-38's, K-32's, Pre-model 12's & 10's. By the time the Model 48 rolled out (1959 IIRC) the rimfire hammer shape had changed. The latest guns I have which have the Fishhook are M&P's. Collectors coined the term "Fishhook" to differentiate it from later post war hammer types which were also short action and technically "Speed Hammers" too.
Interestingly, the N-Frame never saw a Fishhook Hammer.
It took me over 20 years to find one in collectible condition... 10 years later I'm still bleeding from the beating I took when I dug out the cash.... was worth the wait... it's near mint.
Drew
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