It can be yours: Early Model 16!!!

[Jim NE]

Or K-32 Masterpiece as we often like to say. The ad says 1959, so it's going to be a 4 screw, I believe, which makes it even better. I'd love to have it...I consider it a true holy grail gun, but a starting bid of almost $3000 says, "no." I thought it was worth showing you guys, though. Maybe we could all chip in together and buy it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/669642673

 

[bannockburn]

Jim NE

Very rare, very nice, and very expensive! Too rich for me but it's neat to see one up for sale. Thanks for the look!

 

[Jim NE]

As I recall, only about a couple thousand of these were made during the decades they were in production. I don't know where I read that. I looked in the standard catalog, and I didn't see a production number, but maybe I missed it. They did say that the gun is scarce, and they also said that serial numbers are hard to assign to an exact date. 1959 not set in stone.

To me, it's curious that someone selling a $3000 historically significant S&W didn't invest in a $75 letter as a selling point. The guy also called it a five screw when it isn't.

 

[kscharlie]

There were somewhere in the neighborhood of 94 pre-war K-32 Target models built (between 1936-1941). Approximately 3630 post-war K-32 Masterpieces built (1946-1974). This number includes both pre and post Model 16s. So apparently there is no estimate on how many of this number can be attributed to the pre-16 models vs the stamped Mod 16s. Then in 1989, the 16-4 was re-introduced and made through 1992. There were about 8800 of these 16-4s produced. I figured I would never be able to afford one of the older models, but was lucky enough to run across one of the 16-4 models almost a year ago and got it for $900. No box, papers or tools, just the gun. It is an honest 98% revolver and I am quite happy to own it. At any rate, there were not a large number of these made in any iteration.

Note: Info above came from SCSW 4th Edition, pages 147-148, 214.

 

[Jim NE]

You were really lucky to get that gun for 900 bucks, kscharlie. I see the magnum 16's approaching or exceeding $2000 now. Don't sell it!

Thanks for the info.

 

[kscharlie]

I got the 16-4 at an area auction. The guns were very poorly advertised, so I was hoping no collectors would show up. Don't know if that was the case or not, but when the auctioneer cried "Sold!" and I had the bid at $900, I have to admit that I was doing a good bit of shaking. I was thrilled to get it for that price. It sure does fill up a space in my K-frame "collection" quite nicely.

 

[cfullgraf]

kscharlie, you stole the 8-3/8" Model 16-4 for only $900. Definitely not as many of them as the 4" and 6" versions. Nice find.

 

[Walkalong]

I passed on a $1500 buy it now K-32 a few years ago. I kick myself regularly. I did manage to pick up a 4" 16-4 before they got crazy on price.

 

[steve8261948]

Would be nice but, my pockets just aren't that deep.
Steve

 

[Gordon]

sold my fathers Colt .32 Officers Model Match Target for $3000 five or more years back.

 

[CraigC]

Crazy, sad they didn't make more of them. I'd want one as a shooter but it'd be cheaper to buy a K-22 and have it converted to .327Federal than to buy a collectible 16.

 

[Confederate]

Just think...in maybe a decade or so, Ruger Security-Sixes may be going for ridiculous prices.

Nostalgia is a powerful force and manufacturers would do well to remember that when designing products. Just yesterday I saw a recent Volkswagen Bug (not vintage). Still, I found myself wanting one. But they're way too expensive, parts are pricey and they're still death traps! I asked my wife, "Why do they do that? It's a car you can just throw together and you should be able to make them cheap. They'd be all over the roads like they were in the 60s and they'd sell like hotcakes! But no, they are rarely seen and their prices are outrageous.

Same thing's true with guns. Steel, hammer-fired handguns are headed for a grand or more in the not distant future.


...

 

[Jim NE]

Nostalgia is a powerful force and manufacturers would do well to remember that when designing products. Just yesterday I saw a recent Volkswagen Bug (not vintage). Still, I found myself wanting one. But they're way too expensive, parts are pricey and they're still death traps! I asked my wife, "Why do they do that? It's a car you can just throw together and you should be able to make them cheap. They'd be all over the roads like they were in the 60s and they'd sell like hotcakes!
...

And people could start making dune buggies again! (Which are awesome.)




I agree, VW should start making the traditional Bug again...but they should avoid making the 37 horsepower motor in the early versions. That would be bad.

 

[cfullgraf]

I agree, VW should start making the traditional Bug again...but they should avoid making the 37 horsepower motor in the early versions. That would be bad.

Unfortunately, by the time VW cleaned up the air cooled engine to meet emission standards, it would probably only have 37 HP anyway.

Several years ago, I sent S&W a note suggesting they bring back the Model 16 in 327 Fed Magnum in their Classic Series. I got a non-commital response so I wouldn't hold my breath. But they did not "no" either.

With the used prices of Model 16s and K-32s and the popularity of Ruger SP-101 and Single 7s, I thought it might be bear some consideration for a "special" run.

 

[Jim NE]

....I sent S&W a note suggesting they bring back the Model 16 in 327 Fed Magnum in their Classic Series. I got a non-commital response so I wouldn't hold my breath. But they did not "no" either.

With the used prices of Model 16s and K-32s and the popularity of Ruger SP-101 and Single 7s, I thought it might be bear some consideration for a "special" run.

I agree, with the Colt Python and Diamondback as examples of what people are willing to pay for nice old guns. Since S&W already does the classic series and has made model 14's recently, the cost wouldn't be nearly what it would take Colt to make the Python again.

Martin Guitar Company does this with musical instruments - making replicas of old models to cash in on the high dollar vintage market. So does Fender, so does Gibson. Others, too. OTOH, if S&W started making the 16 again, it would have to be priced right - MSRP sub $1000, because nobody's going to pay crazy vintage prices.

 

[Confederate]

And people could start making dune buggies again! (Which are awesome.)

I agree, VW should start making the traditional Bug again...but they should avoid making the 37 horsepower motor in the early versions. That would be bad.

The 37 HP engines are fine...if you drive downhill a lot.

The only thing missing on yours is a Confederate flag on the back! But it's a fine machine. You get many comments on it?

 

[Jim NE]

The 37 HP engines are fine...if you drive downhill a lot.

The only thing missing on yours is a Confederate flag on the back! But it's a fine machine. You get many comments on it?

That's not mine. I collect old Fords instead. And yes, it does need a Confederate flag.

 

[Confederate]

Several years ago, I sent S&W a note suggesting they bring back the Model 16 in 327 Fed Magnum in their Classic Series. I got a non-commital response so I wouldn't hold my breath. But they did not "no" either. With the used prices of Model 16s and K-32s and the popularity of Ruger SP-101 and Single 7s, I thought it might be bear some consideration for a "special" run.

Even if they did, they'd find some way to screw it up! They'd put rubber grips and a lock on it, and they'd find ways to cut corners. The new Model 66 is ugly and they make it two-tone (the slashed cylinder latch and screws are black) and they add the black rubber grips. I wish Smith would put out some of their guns out with fine wood grips and put some class back into their revolvers. Instead, I'm afraid they're trying to figure out how to covert them to polymer without charging less for them.

I'd still love to have a Model 63. Mine was stolen out of my apartment by maintenance staff in 1987. Had to replace it with a Rossi, which is a good gun, but it just doesn't have the pizazz the Smith had.Very sad.

 

[CraigC]

Grips are easily changed. I would never not buy a gun because I didn't like the grips.

 

[FN in MT]

Back in the early 70's I shot some Bullseye, and one of the guys I shot with , used an old K-32 for the Center fire leg of the Match. It WAS surely quicker back on target than any of the .38's and especially those who used a .45 with wadcutter ammo. I REALLY fell in love with it.

Borrowed it and shot it a bit at home, that is where the romance ended. It required handloaded or factory ammo, which at the time was FAR tougher than the ubiquitous .38 wadcutter I used in my K38. Or the then super cheap .22 rf I shot out of my K-22. So I gave it back and short of a Bullseye gun, saw little use for it. IF I had access to free or cheap ammo, I probably would have bought one as it was super accurate with minimal recoil. Would have been a great ground squirrel gun!

Little did I know the K32/M-16 would become a collectors item. Then again , same for the M-520 and M-547's in the 1980's. Narrow focus guns, that didn't sell well. NOW they are rare and sought after.

In the late 70's a gun shop I frequented, found a pair of late run, probably 1973 or 74 guns, stashed in their safe unnoticed for years. I can remember like it was yesterday, those guns on the shelf, WITH a case of .32 wadcutter ammo, for $399 each.

FN in MT

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I don't think a K-frame target .32 would sell any better now than it did previously. But it would surely upset the market of existing K-32s if interested buyers could just march down to the LGS and walk out with a new K-32 for $900.

I would rather see S&W offer .32 caliber J-frame revolvers again. Concealed carry is the meat of the gun market, and S&W risks losing sales to the .327 Ruger LCR. I would love to see a return of the 13.5 oz. Model 432, a 6-shot centennial in .32 H&R Magnum. And maybe a 3" or 4" Stainless steel kit gun in .327 Magnum like the old Model 631. The centerfire triggers would be lighter than the J-frame rimfire triggers, and there's a range of ammo from mild to wild that should suit almost anyone.

 

[CraigC]

I don't think a K-frame target .32 would sell any better now than it did previously.

Probably not, nothing .32 caliber has been a big seller. I don't think anything is going to produce any more enthusiasm than the .327 did. Which is ironic because Colt's biggest selling model from the 19th century was the .31cal 1849 Pocket Model.

 

[cfullgraf]

I agree, a re-introduction of the Model 16 would not be a long term stellar seller. But a limited special run, 500 or 1000 or so units, would satisfy a demand for a 32 caliber K-frame revolver.

It may have a short term affect on the prices of used Model 16s but after the production run is sold out, things will return to similar or even higher levels.

The .31 caliber pocket Colt may have been deemed adequate for defense in the 19th century. With the current attitude ,"I carry a forty-five cause they don't make a fifty", a tiny 32 caliber revolver is barely given lip service these days.

 

[CraigC]

Perception is everything.

 

[bluetopper]

I've always wanted to acquire a 6" model 16 and ream out the cylinder a bit to accept the 327 Magnum cartridge.