K32 Pre 16 4 Screw

[John Ryan]

Hi gentlemen; I am trying to determine the value of this Smith &Wesson K32 that I have owned for quite some time. I will attempt to attach pictures. It is lettered and K272579 was shipped in 1956. Please bear with me as it is my first time posting on the forum; hopefully the pictures are attached! Thanks

[CH4]

Welcome aboard!
You have a very beautiful and desirable K32.

[29aholic]

It would not surprise me if that gun was worth pushing $5,000.00

[bower]

Welcome to the forum. That sure is a beautiful gun. I'd say you're closing in on the $3500- 4000 mark.

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Indeed. Do you have the screwdriver and papers? This might be one of those that has to find market price through an auction.

[tjpopkin]

You would have to look at recent auctions, but as a .32 collector for years, I think that $2500-$3000 is a fair value. I would insure the gun for $3500.

[shouldazagged]

Welcome to the forum. That's a really beautiful revolver. It should bring some very nice money today, but I can't see the value going anywhere but up from here.

[S&WIowegan]

From what I can see, I would suggest you place the gun with a very reputable and well known seller on Gun Broker or Gun Auction. Of course you can do that yourself, but I believe a respected seller will attract many more bidders.

Good Luck

[nedlate]

I have one that is in a 4 screw K32 in like condition with an unnumbered box. I bought it about 5 years years ago for $2,500. I would consider it $2,500-3,000. But I don't think I am in connection with what people are willing to spend!
Ed

[andy52]

All I can say is WOW!

[larryofcc]

Money is tight right now for Xmas. The gun is rarer than a 5 screw and may be worth big bucks. A like 5 screw in the box is worth $3,500+ in that condition and the much scarcer 4 screw may bring a premium. Ask David Caroll what the gun is worth. He probably can tell you. I have a 5 screw I paid $2,200 for and it is not as nice as yours. Bought a few years ago from a Forum member. Big Larry

[H Richard]

If that gun was placed with David Caroll on Gunbroker I feel would bring in the $4000 range. The buyers in this range aren't concerned about tight dollars for Christmas.

[jmace57]

...and welcome to the forum!. Nice first post!

[daddio202]

You joined the forum 3 years ago and you saved up on that beauty for a SUPER DUPER first post. John Ryan you have a very unusual yet classy way of Introducing yourself. I love it! Your gun is worth a boat load being one of the more scarce guns and many of us out here need that exact gun to make our perfect trifecta.

[John Ryan]

Thank for the welcome and for sharing your opinions regarding my K32guys. I didn’t realize how long it had been since I joined and that I had never posted. I’m sure all of you older guys know that feeling; I have enjoyed viewing the posts over the last couple of years though.
Thanks again.

[mh51]

Now that's a helluva entrance into the forum!!!

[Krogen]

Oh my.... It's gorgeous!

[Green Frog]

John Ryan, you sure know how to make an entrance! You say you want to determine the value... is this for insurance purposes, or for a potential sale? If the former, I would go with the high end that you are seeing, somewhere in the $4500-5000 range. As for sale potential; if there is such a thing as a highly liquid, recession proof investment, this is probably it. The early K-32s seem to rival earlier icons like Triple Locks, Registered Magnums and Wolf & Klarr 44s as having the intersecting draws of relative rarity and strong demand to achieve their own special niche in the market.

Congrats on being the guardian of such a wonderful piece (he says through the green haze of pure envy )

Froggie

[WILDPIG]

Stunning. And. You were able to post pics on your first try! That, too, is impressive.

WILDPIG

[Green Frog]

John Ryan, I have to admit to being a Philistine on such things, but I have to ask... Do you shoot it? From the pictures, it appears to have been fired, and one round or a few thousand, it stays in about the same condition with proper care, so why not? Of course, shooting target strength rounds with lead wadcutters or semi-wadcutters, I doubt you and your children (and perhaps even grandchildren) will be able to wear it out. I know I'm really enjoying the Model 16-3 copy I had built and I'm doubtful I'll be able to put any noticeable wear on it. You don't say how you acquired this gun, but regardless, I'd have to say, "Ya done good, ya done real good!"

Froggie

[Drm50]

Beautiful S&W. I don't like to look at K32s, it makes me feel bad. I don't own one. What makes me feel bad is ones Ived owned in past. The 1st one
I owned back in 60s was very nice shape, no box or docs. Things like that
weren't even talked about back then. I traded a guy a Colt Scout clone 22 for it with holster, case and 3 boxes of factory WC ammo. They weren't that uncommon the used cases in LGS at the time. It was magnum mania
back then. 357 or better to open. I've owned hundreds of handguns and
seems I always delt off the ones that ended up being worth big money. I
might luck out yet you never know what will come out of the woodwork.

[Retired W4]

What a way to start out on the forum. Wow.

[fosterlj4684]

I have a quick question for anyone to try an answer. I know the total production of K32's, but how many of each variation were produced? i.e. How many 5 screws, how many 4 screws w/o model number, how many Model 16, 16-2 and 16-3's?

[fosterlj4684]

I am looking for a Blue S&W box marked Model 16, K-32 Masterpiece.

[H Richard]

If you can find a Model 16 box of any S/N you will probably have to pay as much as a lot of us would pay for a shooter K38 revolver. Most all were Gold boxes.

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by fosterlj4684

I have a quick question for anyone to try an answer. I know the total production of K32's, but how many of each variation were produced? i.e. How many 5 screws, how many 4 screws w/o model number, how many Model 16, 16-2 and 16-3's?

I doubt anyone would have those numbers. Never seen the production numbers broken down by engineering change.

One would have to use the total produced divided by years produced from SCSW to get how many produced each year on average. Then use the dates of eng changes from SCSW to determine how many years each change was produced. Interpolate from those figures how many produced for each change. You'd get a ball park # produced of each change at best, because some years were very lean sales years.

Good luck,

[fosterlj4684]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

I doubt anyone would have those numbers. Never seen the production numbers broken down by engineering change.

One would have to use the total produced divided by years produced from SCSW to get how many produced each year on average. Then use the dates of eng changes from SCSW to determine how many years each change was produced. Interpolate from those figures how many produced for each change. You'd get a ball park # produced of each change at best, because some years were very lean sales years.

Good luck,

I have put together a complete set of K-32's, except what I have read and understand that there were no 16-1's produced. I have a 5 Screw, 4 Screw w/o model number, a Model 16, 16-2 and 16-3. I really don't consider the 16-4 part of the Masterpiece set, as I am more of a traditionalist.

v/r

Lloyd Foster
SWCA #3405

[wiskerchew]

I found a Pre-16 w/ SN K6894x in an auction and won it for 1300 (no box, etc). In pretty good shape for 1950 born date gun. Only problem was somebody decided to nickel plate it but at least left the trigger, hammer, and both sights case hardened.

[moosedog]

Nice gun for sure. Seems like they standardized on the bright blue when they went to the 4 screw frame.
I've got a couple and recently sold a few. People will say ridiculous estimates on prices all day until it's time to open their wallets. Realistically some where around the $3000 mark unless you get Mr Deep Pockets who needs one right now. The market goes up and down on revolvers but is pretty stationary at this time.

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by fosterlj4684

I have put together a complete set of K-32's, except what I have read and understand that there were no 16-1's produced. I have a 5 Screw, 4 Screw w/o model number, a Model 16, 16-2 and 16-3. I really don't consider the 16-4 part of the Masterpiece set, as I am more of a traditionalist. v/r
Lloyd Foster
SWCA #3405

Lloyd,

That's a pretty impressive and difficult to acquire set of the post war K32 Masterpiece!

Are you hunting for the pre war K32 1st Model w/long action? About 94 made 1936 to 1941? That's one group that we know the quantity produced.

I also understand there wasn't a stamped Model 16-1. However the -1 1st eng change as you likely know, was the extractor rod change from right hand to left hand thread. This change has been observed on several pre-dash one models, because the frame model # is stamped prior to complete assembly. If there were no right hand thread parts left by the time of the cyl assembly, we have observed left hand thread parts on pre -1 model stamped frames.

If you check the thread direction and it's left hand, your Model 16 is a "virtual" Model 16-1. Then you'd have to search for another K32; a "true" Model 16 with right hand thread.

[fosterlj4684]

I though this group would like to see a gun with issues, it was bought online from a big name auction house. It was advertised as a Smith & Wesson K-32. Upon receipt these are the issues that I noticed. Sent for a letter from S&W and you guest it, it verified that it was a converted gun. So watch out all, there are fakes being sold as originals. P.S. I did get some money back on the purchase.

[fosterlj4684]

I am waiting on the letter for the 16-3 as it is a little different than the others, ramp front sight, white outline rear sight and Target Hammer, Standard Trigger, with Target Grips. Want to check the configuration of it when it shipped from the factory.


Lloyd Foster
SWCA #3405

[fosterlj4684]

Yes, I will be start looking for a pre-war K-32. Have to check the deep pockets prior for forking out the greenbacks.

Lloyd Foster
SWCA #3405

[tjpopkin]

I had a model 16-2 with three Ts and a Baughman Ramp sight. Sold a RIA when in need of funds.

[paplinker]

Originally Posted by tjpopkin

I had a model 16-2 with three Ts and a Baughman Ramp sight. Sold a RIA when in need of funds.

My local gun show has a gun with the identical setup.Been for sale for years now. Cylinder is a little pitted in one area like it was stored in a case or something.

[Green Frog]

Lloyd,

As you are no doubt aware, S&W made up some Model 16-3 revolvers on Model 14-3 guns they converted at the factory. I admit to being party to having such a conversion done when I had the opportunity to purchase a NOS barrel, then got a K-22 cylinder and found a Model 14-3 donor gun to complete the package. I left the finished product with its original K-38 markings on the frame since I had/have no intention to deceive.

Your (and now Terry’s) mention of a ramp front sight rather than the standard Patridge blade caught my attention because the NOS barrel I got for mine has the same ramp. I’ll be looking forward to hearing more about both of them.

Regards,
Froggie

[fosterlj4684]

This K-32 is properly marked, it is stamped on the frame 16-3 and is not an over stamp. It has the ramp front sight and all as listed. I am really interested in getting the letter from the factory to authenticate the configuration. Everything looks correct, but with the factory still stamped the grips with the serial number like they did on the earlier guns.

I have seen a K-32 with letter stating it was shipped from the factory as an SAO, but the price at the time was a little to much.

Some day, I plan to get a pre-war K-32, but my ultimate fined would be 1 of the 10, 4" K-32 Combat Masterpiece to fill in that space of the K- Masterpiece and K- Combat Masterpiece collection. Of course I only collect up to the -3 versions currently, more of the earlier examples.

v/r

Lloyd Foster
SWCA #3405

[Green Frog]

Lloyd,

The reason I mentioned the factory remarks was to explain building mine as I did and to reiterate that it was not meant to defraud like the one somebody tried to pass off to you. Like you, I don’t have any time for fraudsters. Anyway, congratulations on your collection and thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Froggie

[fosterlj4684]

Originally Posted by Green Frog

Lloyd,

The reason I mentioned the factory remarks was to explain building mine as I did and to reiterate that it was not meant to defraud like the one somebody tried to pass off to you. Like you, I don’t have any time for fraudsters. Anyway, congratulations on your collection and thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Froggie

Froggie

I have seen guns that had a 6 stamped over a 4, to make it look like a 16-2. Those things have a tendency to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I understand what you did, its the person that tries to pass it off as an original, when they know better or should. The auction house where I bought mine, is considered the best in the nation and has multimillion dollar auctions monthly. They advertise they are experts, but when time to explain, they hide behind, we are just an auction house. This gun, as shown above had very recognizable missing identification and should have been explained in the auction catalog to that fact, then let the bidder decide on the merits of the pictures and appropriate write-up.

v/r

Lloyd
SWCA #3405

[davek42_43130]

I only have 3 words to say Holly Grail gun

[ancient-one]

My wives cousin bought both a K-32 and K-38 at about the same period of time. He sold the K-32 before he died and I bought the K-38 with box and tools but no paperwork from his wife. According to the Catalog it is a 1955 gun. So I would guess the K-32 was also about that time. I hope that the person that got it back then realizes what they have. He shot his guns but they were like everything else that he had, kept in immaculate condition.

[CptCurl]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

* * *

I also understand there wasn't a stamped Model 16-1. However the -1 1st eng change as you likely know, was the extractor rod change from right hand to left hand thread. This change has been observed on several pre-dash one models, because the frame model # is stamped prior to complete assembly. If there were no right hand thread parts left by the time of the cyl assembly, we have observed left hand thread parts on pre -1 model stamped frames.

If you check the thread direction and it's left hand, your Model 16 is a "virtual" Model 16-1. Then you'd have to search for another K32; a "true" Model 16 with right hand thread.

This should be spotted visually without trying the thread direction. The -1 (left hand thread) ejector rods have a groove cut behind the end knurling. I probably learned that from you along the way.

From the photo, I think Lloyd has a genuine Mod. 16. There's no groove.






Curl

[Hondo44]

Good eye CptCurl,

Extractor rod thread direction indicators:

K and N frames were changed to left hand thread in the '59 to '62 period and identified by their Model dash # and a groove cut behind the rod tip knurling. Again, as always with Smith, beware of those with the thread change dash # but still with right hand thread/no groove, and vice versa. Often an L is also stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.

Note: the above is not true for I & J frames which were introduced with left hand threads after the war and do not have the groove cut behind the rod tip knurling.