As to the things you run across at gun shows,

A while back Tam wrote “Comparing a gun show to, say, your local gun store or an internet auction is like comparing an African safari to a canned hunt over a baited field. At the gun show, you never know what you’re going to find.” And so it is; for a small show, some interesting things. Like an honest-to-God 1911 .45(second one I’ve ever seen), a S&W Model 17 that looked new with box(and price to match), and a Gewehr 98 marked 1917. Well, there’s a gentleman often found at the bigger local shows who buys and sells and trades for his own collection; has some of the damndest things you’ll run across(like two Colt Officer’s Models in .22) and is willing to talk about any of them. He was there today, and whilst looking over all the stuff(no, I did not drool on the glass) I spotted a piece and- out of curiosity, because I knew I couldn’t afford it- asked what they were asking. The wife said “I’ll find out”, took it out and asked the guy. And he named a price I could afford(just).

To quote Tam, THUMPTHUMPTHUMP.

I’m not sure, but I think one of my eyebrows jumped, and I asked if we could take the tie off so I could check it. He happily clipped it, and I checked it out; beautiful bore and chambers, tight action, and that wonderful S&W trigger. I had to try, so made an offer; he thought a moment and then said no, that was what he’d paid for it and needed that. So I dug out my money. And I now have a
K22 Target Masterpiece to keep the Combat Masterpiece company.

I wonder, should I keep them separate? I can hear the argument now: “It’s my turn!” “No! You went to the range last time, I get to go!” And telling steel to “Shut up, or go to your room!” doesn’t exactly work very well.

Now I’ve got to wait until I can get to the range…

I typed the above last night. When I got home from work(I did mention a screwed-up schedule yesterday) I took the grips off and put a drop or two of Kroil on each sideplate screw and let it sit. This morning all four came out easily. There was a trace of oil on the sides of the hammer, otherwise the inside seemed pretty much dry, but not a speck of rust marring that bright, lovely machining. Right now everything's wiped down, the outside has been wiped with Eezox and I'm letting it dry before I reassemble it. The bore and chambers are bright and lovely, and the action... the people who built these were masters of their craft.

The grips are actually numbered to the frame. The man mentioned that being done, this is the first time I've actually known of it myself.

When I have the chance later, I'm going to treat the bores on both with Microlon. For now, I'm just going to enjoy this lovely thing. And try to take a better picture later, when I can take it outside with sunlight; it's been cloudy and misting or raining off & on the last couple of days.