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05-19-2016, 12:59 AM
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How a K-38 Masterpiece is made in 1949
These are true craftsmen!! This is why we prefer the older Smith's over the newer stuff. 
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05-19-2016, 09:05 AM
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What a great article! I could go on and on about things like "American Workmanship", but the article says it all!
By the way, that's also when the American Rifleman was THE "go to" publication for firearms information!
Thanks!
Jim
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05-19-2016, 09:07 AM
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Thanks for this. I knew there was a reason I liked the "old" Smiths.
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05-19-2016, 09:38 AM
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Every one has one. Bad photo but all I had. Good poker hand. 
Last edited by 4barrel; 05-19-2016 at 02:56 PM.
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05-19-2016, 09:42 AM
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Thanks for posting this, PA G&A! Great stuff. Whatever happened to that American pride?
I picked up a first-year, post-war K22 Masterpiece yesterday. Reading this makes that acquisition even more special to me. Oh, and by the way, it was far less that the price of a brand spanking new 17-9.
On the last page, the guy test firing the gun into a sand pit -- initially I thought he had no hearing protection. Yikes. But in blowing up the image it appears he's wearing ear plugs.
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Last edited by two-bit cowboy; 05-19-2016 at 09:47 AM.
Reason: add pricing info
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05-19-2016, 10:00 AM
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Wow! A very pleasant read. Thank you for posting the article. I agree; this is why we like the older revolvers. Just seem to have been made by caring, dedicated craftsmen. Not that the current craftsmen/craftswomen aren't just as dedicated.... Perhaps just nostalgia for a time when the U.S. was different in its outlook on production, values, work ethic, etc.
I counted the "Masterpieces" on the bench! Looked like c. 60! I am working on obtaining one from a co-worker of one made right in the middle of that era. It is a beautiful, well made revolver. My 2nd favorite after the "Combat Masterpiece!"
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05-19-2016, 10:09 AM
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And right at the top of the exploded view--"CRANE." ��
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05-19-2016, 11:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy
Thanks for posting this, PA G&A! Great stuff. Whatever happened to that American pride?
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American greed
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05-19-2016, 11:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alwaysoutdoors
American greed
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Kind of hard to find people willing to work excruciatingly tedious and noisy jobs for low wages.Hence the need for new immigrants.
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05-19-2016, 11:44 AM
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Sir, thank you so much for sharing this information. It's a TREAT to see true old world pride in your work. A time when, "well it's good enough" was not. People did their very best and took pride in what they did.
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05-19-2016, 12:03 PM
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"Masterpiece" was not just hype.
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05-19-2016, 12:31 PM
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I still wanna know how they fit those damn side plates so precisely!
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05-19-2016, 01:34 PM
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Maybe they are working on my gun, I think I see it in that last picture, LOL.. Mine is a 1949 five digit serial number 6" K38 Masterpiece. That is a great article, thanks for posting it. Wow what craftsmanship, 1000 inspections!
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05-19-2016, 05:52 PM
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Just think how much it would cost today to follow these standards! We still have this type of craftsmanship but you have to pay for it these days, back then it was "included".
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05-19-2016, 06:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arjay
Kind of hard to find people willing to work excruciatingly tedious and noisy jobs for low wages.Hence the need for new immigrants.
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Were the folks in the pictures (in first post) working for "low wages"?
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05-19-2016, 06:17 PM
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Nice! Thank you for this. I've downloaded the images. My 1959 Model 14 is close enough to that era!
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05-19-2016, 07:09 PM
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Thank you. This article is a real treasure for us Smith lovers. A real tribute to a great company, and the highly skilled workers who took so much pride in building those beautiful guns that we all love.
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05-19-2016, 11:58 PM
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I would love to see how they are made today.
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05-20-2016, 11:25 AM
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I'd like to see a blowup of the checkering picture.
DW
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"NUTS"
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