Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 17-4 K-22 Masterpiece
Serial Number: 29K4374
Year of Manufacture: 1978-1979 / Modern
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Hand Ejector Revolver
Barrel Length: 8 3/8" Pinned
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a square blade set atop a serrated ramp pinned to the barrel rib. The rear sight has been removed. The topstrap is fitted with a Bushnell Magnum Phantom 1.5 scope via a Bushnell S&W scope mount, with fine crosshair reticle and scope lens covers. The sight picture is clear. The scope rates in Excellent condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one piece checkered rubber overmolded Pachmayr Presentation Grip. The checking is sharp. There are no rips or tears. There is very light handling wear. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, case colored target hammer and target trigger
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 at a 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is strong and complete throughout. There is a thin crisp turn line on the cylinder. There is only very light operational and handling wear. The screw heads are sharp, the pins are undamaged. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The single-action trigger is crisp and the double-action smooth. The lockup is solid. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with its attached scope as mentioned above.
Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece earned its reputation as one of the quintessential American target revolvers by placing the accuracy and handling qualities of Smith & Wesson's K-frame into an economical .22 Long Rifle platform. The K-22 lineage dates to the prewar era, while the Model 17 designation was adopted in 1957. The 17-4 engineering change arrived in 1977 and relocated the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder; pinned barrels remained in production until 1982. This late-1970s example combines the desirable 8 3/8" pinned barrel with target hammer and trigger, giving it the long sighting radius and substantial target configuration that distinguish the long-barreled K-22s.
This Model 17-4 remains in Excellent condition with about 98% of its original blue finish, only a thin cylinder turn line and very light operational and handling wear. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and rates 9/10, while the action functions correctly with solid lockup, a crisp single-action pull, and smooth double-action operation. It is presently configured with an excellent Pachmayr Presentation grip and a Bushnell Magnum Phantom 1.5x handgun scope on a Bushnell S&W mount, with the factory rear sight no longer present. Those additions make this a particularly interesting vintage target-shooting setup, while the underlying 8 3/8" pinned-barrel Model 17-4 remains highly appealing to enthusiasts of classic Smith & Wesson rimfire revolvers.
