Smith & Wesson Model 16 K-32 Masterpiece

Dave Markowitz

Dave Markowitz

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One of the least common modern Smith & Wesson revolvers is the K-32 Masterpiece, which was designated the Model 16 in 1957. Between 1947 and 1974, S&W manufactured only 3,630 of them. The K-32 / Model 16 is the .32 S&W Long chambered equivalent of the K-22 and K-38. (Later in the 1980s, S&W offered some Model 16s in .32 H&R Magnum. They aren't common, either.)

Up until today, I don't recall ever seeing one in person. Last week I won an auction for one on Gunbroker and today after work, I drove up to my FFL to do the transfer. Every K-32 which I've seen on Gunbroker has sold for over $2,000 but I won this one for about half that.

AFAIK, this gun was built around 1957 - 1959.

Model16-left.jpg

Model16-right.jpg

You may notice that the front sight is a replacement and that there is a sleeve wrapped around the barrel to add weight. This is not a modern, 2-piece S&W barrel. The sleeve is a tight friction fit and secured with a set screw. I'm hoping that it's not also glued or soldered on because I'd like to remove it.

barrel-bottom.jpg

If anyone has information on the barrel sleeve I'd appreciate it. It has no visible markings.

When I got it the gun was fitted with 1987-vintage S&W Target stocks. I replaced them with diamond Magnas from my stash, and ordered an aluminum Tyler-style grip adapter from Robertson Trading Post. I have a few on other revolvers and like them a lot.

The bore and charge holes are perfect. There was some congealed old oil or grease in the action which I hosed out with Remoil. When I had the sideplate off I saw that the hammer block was MIA, so I ordered a replacement from Numrich.

This gun should make a great companion for my 1951 K-22 and Model 14-3 K-38.
 
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I just examined a 15-2 Combat Masterpiece I have in the safe. A few years back, I picked it up in a pawn shop in Baton Rouge for $308 out the door. Those days are gone, I’m afraid.

bc
 
Nice find. Yes, K-32/Model 16-0 thru 16-3 versions are difficult to find. Only about 3000 were produced over the entire 40-50 year production run. (Note, that does not include the 8000 M16-4’s produced in the 1990’s)

I searched for several years, found a Model 16-4 (32 H&R Mag) but never found a 32SWL version that I could fondle before committing to.

I stumbled into a new Manhurin MR-32 (32 SWL) and bought it. Fantastic alternative to the S&W but I’d still like to have an S&W.
 
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I used to work at a gun store back in college ... I handled n played with a lot of guns. I really wish I would have grabbed a 6" heavy barreled with lug model 16 in .32 - I believe it was the H&R Magnum then... but being young more power was better... .357 n .44 mags had my attention. I regret not getting one of those and a HK91 and a hk 94... well them and a "few others" :p
 
I got the sleeve off the barrel today. After removing the set screw that was intended to secure it, along with the cylinder and grips, I placed the gun muzzle down in a well padded vise, then gave it a tap with a mallet and a Delrin punch. It popped right off.

K-32-right.jpg

Under the sleeve I discovered that whoever added the sleeve was an idiot, as shown by how he dimpled the barrel in several places for a set screw. (Insert profanities here.)

barrel-dimples.jpg

Some people should not be allowed to use tools, much less firearms. Oh well, this definitely places this revolver in the shooter class rather than the collector class. There's enough barrel thickness that I'm not worried about safety, especially with a relatively low pressure round like .32 S&W Long.

The gun is much better balanced now.
 
Very early on, I got ahold of a copy of "Sixguns by Keith", wherein he recommended the tyro get himself a set of K frames in .22, .32, and .38. That struck me as a great idea - then and now - and the .22 and .38 have been in the collection for decades now. Still looking for the .32...
 
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I'd almost welcome those barrel divots, simply because otherwise that might really be too nice to shoot.

It's still very nice, but I wouldn't mind taking it to the range as it sits. I'm also guessing that if someone went to the trouble of sleeving that barrel it was because it could really shoot-

Larry
 
Dave Markowitz said:
I got the sleeve off the barrel today. After removing the set screw that was intended to secure it, along with the cylinder and grips, I placed the gun muzzle down in a well padded vise, then gave it a tap with a mallet and a Delrin punch. It popped right off.

View attachment 1248229

Under the sleeve I discovered that whoever added the sleeve was an idiot, as shown by how he dimpled the barrel in several places for a set screw. (Insert profanities here.)

View attachment 1248230

Some people should not be allowed to use tools, much less firearms. Oh well, this definitely places this revolver in the shooter class rather than the collector class. There's enough barrel thickness that I'm not worried about safety, especially with a relatively low pressure round like .32 S&W Long.

The gun is much better balanced now.
Click to expand...
Over the years, I've stumbled into a few K-frame S&W's that were used for bullseye competition. These were primarikly 38 Special versions but they had a variety of barrel upgrades in them such as heavt weight barrels, limited rifling in the barrel, or single action only (S&W offered this as an option for special order guns back in the day). Since, 32 SWL is still used for European bullseye competition, some of these various modifications could have been applied to K-32 revolvers. So, the barrel sleeve on the OP's revoler may have been a modification for bullseye shooting. But, I could be wrong.

Maybe someone with more knowledge on the subject will chime in.
 
I'm glad to hear that the sleeve came off with minimal pain and suffering. Even with the two set screw dimples, it's still a nice-looking revolver.

When you get an opportunity, let us know how it shoots.

Several years ago, I decided I wanted a target style 32 S&W long revolver. The natural choice was a S&W model K-32 Masterpiece. I looked around and found that they were rare and expensive. The closest I could come up with was a Ruger SP101 with a 4.25 barrel in 327 Fed mag. With its adjustable sights it pretty much filled the bill. Also, since I reload and cast bullets, I could easily adjust the loads to S&W long or32 H&R mag levels. It's been a good revolver. However, I would still prefer a S&W like the one that the OP has.

Again, to the OP congratulations on the revolver. It looks like a good shooter.
 
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Howdy

I picked up this K-32 Masterpiece a few years ago. It shipped in December of 1954. I lettered it a while ago and it was refinished at the factory in 1975.

Interesting that yours has a new front sight dovetailed into the front ramp. It appears quite high and I suspect the revolver will tend to shoot low with that tall front sight.



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P.S.: I paid a lot more than you did, but I just had to have it.
 
Neat .32 @Dave Markowitz! :thumbup:

It looks like it is slowly coming together, or should I say coming apart. Even with the sleeve retention screw divots drilled into the barrel by the previous owner(s) it’s a good looking gun.

A former friend of mine was a retired LAPD career patrolman who carried a 6” Model 14 .38 Spl. in a clamshell-drop holster for ages. His old duty gun had an Apex 10- groove barrel, with I believe was a tight 1-12” twist, installed and blued to match the original finish. It also had a custom front sight installed, and he used it for weekend target competitions with wadcutter loads. (He recently passed away, I have no idea who inherited his old piece.)

All sorts of possible mods were made to those great revolvers back in their heydays!

Keep us posted on your progress and how it shoots. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Barrel sleeve weight, tall front sight. Hmm.
PPC shooters like weight.
PPC shooters often like to take a neck or head hold on the B27 “man target” for a clear sight picture while dropping bullets into the ten ring.
 
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