Maybe I'm not a good with Smith's numbering as I thought but isn't the model 17 a K-22 Masterpiece and not a K-38 Masterpiece?
Howdy
The original name of the K-22 was K-22 Outdoorsman, or K-22 1st Model. It was produced from 1931 until 1940. The K-22 Outdoorsman had a thin tapered barrel with no rib on top.
The K-22 Outdoorsman had the old style adjustable rear sight with two small screws, one on either side. You loosened one screw, then pushed the sight over with the other screw, then you snugged up the first screw against the new position of the rear sight. You needed a tiny little screw driver to do this.
Front sight was a Patridge front sight, often with the inlayed bead of the Call sight.
The K-22 Masterpiece, or K-22 2nd Model was only produced from 1940 until 1941, WWII interrupted its production. There were only 1067 of them produced. The K-22 Masterpiece used the new Micrometer rear sight, just like today, and had a shorter action. The Micrometer rear sight has just one screw on the right side and you don't need a tiny screwdriver to adjust it.
The K-22 Masterpiece Post War, 3rd Model started production in 1946. Early ones had a slightly tapered barrel and a narrow rib running along the top of the barrel. Later ones had a full width rib and a heavy barrel with no taper.
In 1957 the K-22 Masterpiece became the Model 17. Early ones were five screws. This 17-3 was made in 1975. Three screws, short action, heavy barrel, full rib, Micrometer rear sights.
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The K-38 was a further development of the Military and Police Target Model. Five Screws, same tiny rear sight as the K-22 Outdoorsman.
K-38 Target Masterpiece was introduced in 1946. The Micrometer rear sight was standard. This one has a thin barrel rib and the 'speed hammer'.
In 1957 the K-38 Target Masterpiece became the Model 14. This one is from the 1970s.