Help ID'ing S&W 17594 .22

CCKen · 04-19-2010, 06:32 PM

I popped into used guns and such place today. They had a S&W .22 with model 17594 stamped. Bluing is mostly gone. It had a blade front sight and adjustable rear sights. The trigger was similar to the M17-4 I have but much narrower. The gun could only be shot Double Action. It would not cock in Single action. Trigger pull was pretty sweet. Probably 6 or 6 1/2 inch barrel.

Just curios if this is original or if it as been tampered with. I was very interested (until I saw the $499 price tag). I love my Model 17-4 and was hoping to score a shooter rather than the 'queen" I already have.

Any input would be welcome. Thanks

Xringshooter · 04-23-2010, 11:40 AM

Where was the 17594 stamped? If you open the cylinder, what is stamped on the frame?

CCKen · 04-23-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [B

Xringshooter[/B];221709]Where was the 17594 stamped? If you open the cylinder, what is stamped on the frame?

Xringshooter It was stamped on the frame visible only when you swing out the cylinder. Same place the 17-4 is stamped on my K22.

Xringshooter · 04-24-2010, 03:14 PM

Boy, without any other markings, I'm not sure what it may have been. Did it have the S&W logo? Don't rely on anything on the grips, it would be engraved on the frame. Do you remember where the logo was (which side, near xxx, whatever). If it didn't have the S&W logo it could have been one of the foreign knock offs. The barrel should also have been stamped with the caliber and other info. The 17594 is probably the s/n. Could you pull the hammer back and it just not cock and the hammer go back down, or would the hammer not even come back when you thumbed it? It it would come back but not lock into place, someone probably took off the SA notch.

Sorry I couldn't help any more than I did.

Iowegan · 04-24-2010, 04:22 PM

CCKen, In 1959, S&W starting using model numbers and stamped them on the yoke plate along with the serial number. Prior to 1959, the serial number was stamped on the butt and sometimes stamped on the yoke plate too. S&W also used a "manufacture control number" (MCN) that was stamped on the yoke. MCNs have no relationship to serial numbers or model numbers .... just a way to keep track of guns while in the manufacturing process.

S&W made two 22 LR models with 6" barrels ... the pre-mod 17 and the 22/32 Target. The pre-14 had a patridge front sight and the 22/32 had a more rounded front sight. Neither were available in DAO so I suspect someone modified it. There is an unlikely exception .... in 1911, S&W made 292 revolvers for Phil Bekeart in mod 22/32s DAO. These were called "Bekeart models" and are very scarce and very expensive. A picture would be helpful!

CCKen · 04-26-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xringshooter

Boy, without any other markings, I'm not sure what it may have been. Did it have the S&W logo? Don't rely on anything on the grips, it would be engraved on the frame. Do you remember where the logo was (which side, near xxx, whatever). If it didn't have the S&W logo it could have been one of the foreign knock offs. The barrel should also have been stamped with the caliber and other info. The 17594 is probably the s/n. Could you pull the hammer back and it just not cock and the hammer go back down, or would the hammer not even come back when you thumbed it? It it would come back but not lock into place, someone probably took off the SA notch.

Sorry I couldn't help any more than I did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowegan

CCKen, In 1959, S&W starting using model numbers and stamped them on the yoke plate along with the serial number. Prior to 1959, the serial number was stamped on the butt and sometimes stamped on the yoke plate too. S&W also used a "manufacture control number" (MCN) that was stamped on the yoke. MCNs have no relationship to serial numbers or model numbers .... just a way to keep track of guns while in the manufacturing process.

S&W made two 22 LR models with 6" barrels ... the pre-mod 17 and the 22/32 Target. The pre-14 had a patridge front sight and the 22/32 had a more rounded front sight. Neither were available in DAO so I suspect someone modified it. There is an unlikely exception .... in 1911, S&W made 292 revolvers for Phil Bekeart in mod 22/32s DAO. These were called "Bekeart models" and are very scarce and very expensive. A picture would be helpful!

Iowegan
Sorry no pictures yet. I really did not expect to see it again. I dropped back by after I posted this and it was gone. But I dropped in again today and there she was.
However I did look it over a little better.
Actually the number on the yoke is 17597 stamped the same place I find 17-4 stamped on my model 17.
It does have the S&W marking on the frame.
It says "Made in the USA" on the frame above the trigger guard.
It has after market Target type grips in white plastic so I could not see the butt end of the frame to check for a serial number because they covered it over.
Stamped on the tapered barrel is written, "22Long Rifle CTG".
I saw only three frame screws if that makes any difference.
The front sight is pinned into a block.
On the other side of the tapered barrel is written "Smith & Wesson".

Oh yeah, on the bottom of the barrel is stamped what I would think is the serial number 679225. It can only be seen when the cylinder is swung out. It is on a flat area of the barrel just above the ejector rod.
Xringshooter
I can pull the hammer back but it will not catch for single action fire.
You can pull the trigger back and it will drop from double action.

JimH · 04-26-2010, 05:40 PM

Here are some photos of a S&W 22/32 HE vintage ~1922. If the one you're interested in looks like this, it's probably been converted to SA.

Edit: I meant DA...

CCKen · 04-26-2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimH

Here are some photos of a S&W 22/32 HE vintage ~1922. If the one you're interested in looks like this, it's probably been converted to SA.

JimH I think you may have it. The 4th screw may be hidden by the aftermarket target grips. Actually it is DA only.
I suspect that it is not worth what they are asking.

JimH · 04-26-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCKen

JimH I think you may have it. The 4th screw may be hidden by the aftermarket target grips. Actually it is DA only.
I suspect that it is not worth what they are asking.

CCKen - I edited my earlier post... I meant converted to DA. I also wanted to add that this little "I" frame S&W is quite the shooter. The one in the photo belonged to a good friend and was his most accurate 22 revolver, by far. Beer bottle caps at 30 yds were almost easy!

I've seen shooter quality pieces, which the one you're checking out sounds to be, sell for $200-$300 at shows.

CCKen · 04-27-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimH

CCKen - I edited my earlier post... I meant converted to DA. I also wanted to add that this little "I" frame S&W is quite the shooter. The one in the photo belonged to a good friend and was his most accurate 22 revolver, by far. Beer bottle caps at 30 yds were almost easy!

I've seen shooter quality pieces, which the one you're checking out sounds to be, sell for $200-$300 at shows.

JimH Thanks! I had in mind about $250 as max. However I am sure somebody will come along and take it.

Any idea as to why somebody would make it DAO? Why not just de-spur it?

04-19-2010, 06:32 PM	#1
CCKen Joined: Dec 2009 From: Arizona Posts: 1,006	Help ID'ing S&W 17594 .22 I popped into used guns and such place today. They had a S&W .22 with model 17594 stamped. Bluing is mostly gone. It had a blade front sight and adjustable rear sights. The trigger was similar to the M17-4 I have but much narrower. The gun could only be shot Double Action. It would not cock in Single action. Trigger pull was pretty sweet. Probably 6 or 6 1/2 inch barrel. Just curios if this is original or if it as been tampered with. I was very interested (until I saw the $499 price tag). I love my Model 17-4 and was hoping to score a shooter rather than the 'queen" I already have. Any input would be welcome. Thanks

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04-23-2010, 11:40 AM	#2
Xringshooter Joined: Sep 2008 From: State College, PA Posts: 186	Where was the 17594 stamped? If you open the cylinder, what is stamped on the frame?

04-24-2010, 03:14 PM	#4
Xringshooter Joined: Sep 2008 From: State College, PA Posts: 186	Boy, without any other markings, I'm not sure what it may have been. Did it have the S&W logo? Don't rely on anything on the grips, it would be engraved on the frame. Do you remember where the logo was (which side, near xxx, whatever). If it didn't have the S&W logo it could have been one of the foreign knock offs. The barrel should also have been stamped with the caliber and other info. The 17594 is probably the s/n. Could you pull the hammer back and it just not cock and the hammer go back down, or would the hammer not even come back when you thumbed it? It it would come back but not lock into place, someone probably took off the SA notch. Sorry I couldn't help any more than I did.

04-24-2010, 04:22 PM	#5
Iowegan Retired Gunsmith Joined: Aug 2006 From: Blair, NE Posts: 4,601	CCKen, In 1959, S&W starting using model numbers and stamped them on the yoke plate along with the serial number. Prior to 1959, the serial number was stamped on the butt and sometimes stamped on the yoke plate too. S&W also used a "manufacture control number" (MCN) that was stamped on the yoke. MCNs have no relationship to serial numbers or model numbers .... just a way to keep track of guns while in the manufacturing process. S&W made two 22 LR models with 6" barrels ... the pre-mod 17 and the 22/32 Target. The pre-14 had a patridge front sight and the 22/32 had a more rounded front sight. Neither were available in DAO so I suspect someone modified it. There is an unlikely exception .... in 1911, S&W made 292 revolvers for Phil Bekeart in mod 22/32s DAO. These were called "Bekeart models" and are very scarce and very expensive. A picture would be helpful!