Combat masterpiece

[Stoney]

I just picked up three revolvers at an online auction. (Gunbroker.
com.) All three are combat masterpieces. K22, K32 and k38.What I'm looking for is a source of information to date these revolvers. All three were made in the early 50's.Any help would be much appreciated. Btw all came with original boxes.

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

 

[Mike Irwin]

Don't think they did make a .32 Combat Masterpiece.

 

[Stoney]

K-32 masterpiece

According to the auction( Gunbroker.com)where I purchased the revolver , there were a total of 3630 K-32's produced . There is a very clear photograph of the revolver and the box it came in. On the box which is gold with blue lettering it clearly says K-32 masterpiece. companion gun to the K-22 and K-38. Unfortunately I don't have a scanner and cannot show you the photograph. However I do believe this pistol to be the real. At least I hope so . Thanks for the info on the S&W book. I plan to pick up a copy for myself.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Stoney,

I think you're misunderstanding what Saxon and I are saying.

The .32 Masterpiece definitely was an S&W gun, but to the best of our knowledge there was never a "Combat Masterpiece" version of it.

The .32 was primarily a target and "kit" gun, wereas the .38 was made in both Target and Combat Masterpiece versions.

The .22 version of the Combat Masterpiece was developed as a training weapon for those who would transition to the Combat Masterpiece.

 

[ElToro]

Check the book carefully, as there was some 4 inch k-32's made... in "pre" model number range... any K-32 4 or 6 inch numbered model or not as they made about 3600 or so of them. Just kind of a kooky oddball caliber.. mostly good for competition target shooting

 

[Stoney]

k-32

Mike

you are correct, taking a second look at the box it does say k-32 and not k-32 combat masterpiece. For some reason I assumed that all K models were combat masterpieces. Just goes to show you how much I need that book. Thanks for the insight.

As for where I acquire these revolvers. All three came from Gunbroker.com. Now that the auction is over I'm not sure if you can view them. If you go to the gunbroker web site try the curio & relics section. I've purchased several guns from the site and never had any problems.

 

[Stoney]

auction numbers

Saxon
Here are the auction numbers
K-22 8711124
k-32 8711200
K-38 8711446

 

[9mmepiphany]

when i was first starting out with guns it took me awhile to to get down the numbers and the names of the smiths too.

the K masterpiece series were the k-22 (m-17), k-32 (m-16) and k-38 (m-14). they came in 6" and 8.375" barrels, adjustable trigger stops and had different size top ribs to match their weight/ballance.

the combat masterpiece series consisted of the k-22 (m-18) and k-38 (m15) and had shorter barrels ( 2" and 4"), narrower ribs and lacked the trigger stops. they usually also came with the magna grips rather than target grips and narrow hammer and triggers.

 

[Stoney]

Saxon

You sure can sax old buddy,and as my new best friend
could you loan me a few bucks,I'm a little short right
now.

 

[Braz]

No me!

 

[Mike Irwin]

To hell with being your best friend...

All I want is to be remembered favorably in your will!


Page 87 of the 1st edition "Standard Catalog of S&W" is a picture of a K-32 Masterpiece with same kind of box you bought.

Very nice. Very very nice.