Smith & Wesson Model 48
The Smith & Wesson K-22 M.R.F. Masterpiece Revolver is a six-shot, double-action revolver with adjustable open sights, built on the medium-size "K" frame. It is chambered for the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge, which was also introduced in 1959.
The Model 48 is based off of the Smith & [Wesson Model 17|Smith & Wesson K-22 Target Masterpiece] revolver chambered in .22 long rifle cartridges. Most K-22 revolvers were fitted with a, a or barrel, but other lengths have been produced.
First produced in 1959 as the K-22 M.R.F. Masterpiece, it was numbered the Model 48 in 1959 when all Smith & Wesson guns were given numerical model numbers. It is built on the same frame as the seminal Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver.
Derivatives
Model 648
The Smith & Wesson Model 648 is a double-action revolver that is chambered in .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire. Released with a 6-round cylinder, it replaced the Model 48 in 1989. The Model 648 was discontinued by 1996, but was reintroduced in 2003; it was soon discontinued in 2005. Even though the Model 48 was reintroduced in 2010 as one of the “Classic” lines, the Model 648 was reintroduced in 2019.
Present state
The Model 48 was discontinued in 1986, but in 2010 was reintroduced as the Model 48 "Masterpiece" due to a resurgence in the popularity of vintage Smith & Wesson revolvers. The company chose approximately fifteen previously discontinued models to produce once again. This was done under the "Classics" category of S&W's current offerings.