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Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Greetings Everyone,
I am trying to learn about the 22 Magnum numbering system. Mainly - Is there a difference between 22LR and 22M numbering. For example I have seen a Monson 22M with an "A" prefix on the serial number. I have a 722M with an "SA" prefix - Possibly for Stainless and Magnum? Could it be that all the Monson 22 Magnums received this "A" at the factory? Could there be some other reason for the prefix? Is it different with Palmer or Norwich guns?
There are no 22 Magnums listed in the serial number registry, so that was no real help. I am not trying to establish dates of manufacture, just whether the 22 Magnums carried a distinctive serial number for identification.
Any input would be appreciated by post or PM. Should turn up some interesting information.
Thanks
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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the A, SA, and 22M all denote 22 Magnums. But....the only way to know for certain is to be able to chamber a magnum in the cylinder. There have been 22LR with Alpha prefixes, so that complicates the issue.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Thanks Ron.
I did notice that there is 1 blue with A prefix and 2 stainless 22 with SA prefix listed in the serial #registry. Unless those are actually magnums (and not specified as such when entered into the registry), then it would seem that the A prefix would have some other purpose than to designate a magnum gun. Anyone have an idea what that could be?
Anyone else seen a 22LR with an Alpha prefix number, or a 22M without an Alpha number, or 722 (LR) with an SA number or 722M without SA in the number?
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DWF Supporters
May 11, 2011
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For what's it worth from me, the early 22's could have the A or SA on either the lr or the mag. These where the first ones made, later they started using the m just for 22 mags.
willy
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Thanks willy,
So did the m appear as part of the serial number?
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May 11, 2011
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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I have a 722 with an SA and I have a 22mag with an SA. I have a blue 22 with an A. It is my deduction that, at some point, Dan Wesson decided that "A" would denote .22 caliber weather it be LR or Mag. Same way 41mag has a 'C', and 32 mags have a 'F' designation. NOTE: all those guns are Monson guns so that system of nomenclature may not translate exactly to Palmer and Norwich variants, although my Norwich 722 also has an "A" leading the serial number.
Lets hear more thoughts on this alphabetic caliber delineator theroy of mine.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
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If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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That makes as much sense as anything I can think of. If only we had the records we could verify that all guns after a certain date used the prefix as an identifier.
Interestingly, if there is no way to distinguish between LR and Magnum, then any LR can be converted and sold as an original Magnum with no way to prove otherwise.
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DWF Supporters
May 11, 2011
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snake-eye said
That makes as much sense as anything I can think of. If only we had the records we could verify that all guns after a certain date used the prefix as an identifier.
Interestingly, if there is no way to distinguish between LR and Magnum, then any LR can be converted and sold as an original Magnum with no way to prove otherwise.
Box labels, oh yea those have also been reproduced. Well if you had a pistol pack with all the barrels, that had the correct roll markings, one would have to assume it to be real. Those barrels are really hard to come by, especially the shorter ones. eight and six inch seem to be normal, while I've never seen the 2&1/2 for sale.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Heard but not seen. Like an Ivory Billed Woodpecker. I'll bet rwsem has both.
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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The only give away would be a mismatched shroud. I've only seen one 22 Mag shroud for sale in the last few years, so you could convert a 22 LR but it would be hard to come up with the shroud.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Yep, easier to prove it is a magnum than to prove it is not.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Ole Dog said: I'll bet rwsem has both.
Actually no. The 22M has eluded me. I just missed the 722 last week by about a half day. I have my eye on the GB auction but with the good Dr in the mix, it'll probably end up quite high.
To complete my "collection" I need: both 22Ms, a 708 or 709, and a 732-20.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Here's a new possibility - the photos of the 22M on Gunbroker show an "M" on the front of the cylinder.
Question for all you 22M & 722M owners out there: Do your magnums have this M stamped on the front of your cylinder?
Could this be the item that resolves the issue? Please let us know.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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We've discussed the cylinder-letter stuff before.... It's in here somewhere; maybe I can find it...
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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January 24, 2009
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rwsem said
We've discussed the cylinder-letter stuff before.... It's in here somewhere; maybe I can find it...
Well, it's only a 6 year old thread, so it could be tough to spot. But here ya go.
BTW, with that thread being SIX years old, there may be some more info in there that has been verified & straightened out more recently...I haven't re-read that thread. Yet.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Thanks CF. I did a search, came up with 28 pages, made it through a few of them and then ADHD kicked in and now I can't even remember what drew me away.
That was the SN thread but I remember that we discussed the letters on the cylinders within the last few years as well... maybe tonight I won't be so distracted. As for now; time to get ready for work.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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January 24, 2009
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Yeah, I remember a more recent discussion as well, but couldn't find that one. I'm off to work as well!
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Ron, I meant you have an Ivory Billed Woodpecker and a 2 1/2" 22 mag BA. The bird has supposedly been heard in Louisiana cypress swamps.
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