this comes up at least twice in the K-22 and k-38 guns. What is the difference?

this comes up at least twice in the K-22 and k-38 guns. What is the difference?

Barrel length...........Combat Masterpiece is 4", Masterpiece is generally 6", but I believe 8 3/8 is referred to as Masterpiece also.

DP

I would add that the Masterpiece has a partridge front sight, while the Combat Masterpiece has a Baughman ramp style front sight, designed for easier draw from a holster.

There are a few 4" Masterpieces (M-17's).

Thanks a bunch

...just to add a bit of controversy to this...the Masterpiece (Mod 17...K-22), was made with a 4" barrel (but they are rare).........so, is the only difference then, the front sight and the heavy barrel of the 17?

Originally posted by flat top:

From what I have been able to determine, yes.

And to add to the confusion, originally the six inch Masterpiece - in all <u>three</u> calibers (.22, 32 & .38) - used the same (tapered) barrel contour. Beginning in 1949 the K-32 and K-38 were offered with heavier barrels so all three guns would weigh exactly the same when loaded. Bullseye target shooters were the one's who get credit for presenting the idea to S&W. (Sure would be nice if S&W could hear their customers now, huh?)

I don't have a K-32, but here are my K-22 (front) and early K-38 to illustrate my point...

Mark

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There have been whole threads on this, and to the extent there are "rules," there are a great many exceptions.

That said, generally, the Masterpiece had the straight walled (heavy) barrels and the Combat Masterpiece had the tapered barrels.

Generally, the term "Combat" was reserved for the 4 inch or shorter length.

Generally, the Combat had the Baughman ramp on ramp base and the Masterpiece had the Patridge on a shorter base.

Three notable exceptions are the (1) Illinois State Police K38s, (2) Missouri State Highway Patrol K38s and (3) the Dayton guns.

ISP K38s had 5 inch straight walled barrels, while MSHP K38s had 5 inch tapered barrels. The Dayton guns were 4 inch K38s with super heavy barrels (the barrel diameter being the same as the heavy Model 10). All three of these special variations of the K38 had Baughman ramp front sights on the ramp base.

Collectors will no doubt add additional information to this post, and some may point out my errors, but the basics are set forth here for your review and a search of this forum will result in a great deal more information than I have set forth.

All good stuff!!!! Thanks!!!!!

Hate to be picky, but all target sighted Smiths have front sight ramps, different style blades.

Bob Wright

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Bob Wright

FYI

Patridge


Partridge

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"I also cook."

Yea but s&wchad, is that second one pinned?

No, Ruffed...

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"I also cook."

In the spirit of good fun, certain S&W revolvers use PAT-RIDGE front sights, while there are certain birds called PAR-TRIDGE, as in "partridge in a pear tree." There is, therefore, no such thing as a PAR-TRIDGE front sight unless there has been a typo.

Yes, even S&W has had typos in its advertising!

Patridge Front Sight:
A type of sight designed by Eugene E. Patridge in the late 1800s, often used on handguns. It comprises of a squared-notch rear sight, with a front sight that has a thick blade that is flat on top.

This type of sight (often mispronounced or misspelled as "Partridge" sight) creates a clear, distinct front sight picture, and are usually found on competition guns.

Boy, am I slow! I didn't even catch that and I know better. I gotta get some sleep, sheeesh.