The Smith & Wesson Model 17 is a six-shot double-action revolver chambered for .22 LR. It is built on Smith & Wesson's medium-sized K-frame. History Smith & Wesson's Models 16 and 17 have their origins with the company's Pre-World War 2 Hand Ejector series in the 1930s. These two revolver models debuted as companion pieces known as the Models K-32 and K-22 after World War 2. The K-32 Masterpiece (Model 16) debuted in 1935 and was chambered in .32 S&W Long caliber. Production ceased during World War 2 and the revolver was reintroduced in 1947 along with the K-22 Masterpiece (Model 17) in .22 Long Rifle caliber. The Model 16 was dropped from production in 1983 due to the declining popularity of the .32 S&W Long caliber and the Model 17 was discontinued in 1998 as the company focused less on blued steel revolvers at the time. Design The Model 17 has an adjustable rear sight and a pinned Patridge style front sight. It was designed as a target revolver and could be ordered in the 1960's from S&W with "The Three T's" : Target Trigger, Target Hammer and Target Grips. Standard barrel lengths were 4", 6" and 8 3/8". The 4" model 17-6 is infrequently seen, as S&W produced the almost identical, 4" barrelled, Model 18. The Model 18 was a Model 17 copy- except the 4" barrel was tapered where the Model 17 4" barrel was not. In 1990, S&W also shipped the Model 17 featuring a 4", 6" or 8 3/8" full under lug barrel. The "under lug" was a solid, blued steel, circular rod, cast as part of the barrel, and running under the barrel from the front of the cylinder yoke to the muzzle's end.. The under lug not only enclosed the ejector rod, it also added considerable weight to the gun itself. The under lug model shipped with a special round butt wood grip that featured inletted finger grooves. The 4" Model 17 Under Lug is infrequently seen and quite possibly manufactured as an afterthought using factory shortened 6" or 8 3/8" under lug barrels. Derivatives Model 18 & 617 The Smith & Wesson Model 18 (or the 22 Combat Masterpiece) was built on S&W's "K" Frame, (Smith & Wesson's designation for 'medium frame' firearms.) It was a tapered, 4-inch-barreled, double-action revolver, with adjustable open sights, chambered for the .22 long rifle. Many believe