I shot these old beauties today. Early 50's Masterpieces, K-22, K-32 and K-38. The K-22 is from 1953, the K-32 is from April 1952 and the K-38 was shipped 4-18-1953.
The K-32 is the first K-32 I ever bought back in the late 80's after putting an ad in the old Shotgun News. The K-38 I bought from one of my old Detroit Police friends who got it from his father. His father, also DPD, shot on the Detroit Police Department Bullseye "B" team in the early 1950s. The "A" team at that time had the likes of Harry Reeves and Al Hemming.
Al Hemming also owed his own reloading company, note the box.

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Very nice. Thanks for the great pictures!

I love the guns!! Thanks for showing us your fine trio. Looks like a King front sight on the gun with compensator. Very very nice. The K32 is in a price range most of us can not afford these days. You had very good foresight to get the gun's when you did and they have some history attached which is always is a nice adied benefit. Enjoy

Very Nice !!!

Do you know the story on the front sight on the K 38 ?

Very cool!

I shot a Mod 41 and a Gold Cup 1911A1.

I didn't even know S&W made a compensator for their revolvers.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

"Do you know the story on the front sight on the K 38 ? " We discussed that undercut front sight on the forum years ago. The factory letter does not mention it, and we never did come to a conclusion who done the work. Sadly, my friend's father had passed by the time I acquired it.

Really nice, thanks for sharing. Many years ago (80's) there was an gentleman who shot the matches with his K 38. I didn't appreciate the gun back then. You always learn lessons to late. He was 85 years of age and still competitive and almost always placed.

Walt

Stunning ... beyond words.

Are those Fitz thumb rest grips? I believe that they were popular in that era and application. (I have a Colt Official Police which was wearing black Fitz grips just like those when I acquired it , story was that it had been owned by a cop some time back.)

Yes, those are Fitz wooden grips. Most were plastic. Several decades ago, I bought a bunch of round butt grips off of Fitz from his remaining stock. Over the years I converted them to square butt. Fitz made grips in plastic, Walnut and these were some type of a fruit tree and hard as a rock to mill out.
Straight out of the box, the Fitz grips fit my smaller hands perfectly.

When I shot Bulleye, I used a K-22. I wish there were still Bullseye matches around here. I know my shooting has never been as good as when I participated in that discipline.

Way back I shot a High Standard Victor and a Gold Cup. The league I still shoot in every winter I have been using a IZH35M. (with red dot).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Beautiful set!! How does the S&W compensator shoot? I have seen them before, but never shot one on a S&W. Is it effective? Thanks

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PTLAPTA!

We were issued the Model 15 in my former agency when most police departments were issuing the Model 10. About a week ago I met the man who convinced our chief back then to order the more expensive Model 15 in the early ‘60s. That was an interesting conversation.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

You're very discerning-----I used the same guns---at the end at least---after I got older and wiser.

As to the compensators, I know they made two (K-38 and Model of 1955), because I have one of each. I'm told they also made one for the K-32-----which I've never seen.

Do they work? The only one I ever used (K-38) provided no objective improvement---but they look kinda neat---at least until they've been used. Then the muzzle blast removes the finish----pretty much RIGHT NOW!!

Ralph Tremaine

*laff* While I personally wouldn't define the '80s as 'many years ago,' even then that fellow was an anachronism, autoloaders having supplanted revolvers for serious target competition for at least a decade. I have no doubt a K38 could win the slowfire stage. The problem came with the top level shooters who routinely shot maximum scores on timed and rapid fire, the winner being decided by the the number of Xs. At that level of competition everything counted, and hammer manipulation was a handicap championship shooters couldn't afford.

I assume the compensator on the pictured revolver was meant to aid timed and rapid fire. I'd be interested to shoot a national match course with that piece, but I suspect the hammer cocking issue would still tilt the odds in favor of a self-loading target gun.

I have owned for many years a nickel-plated Model 25 which I rarely shoot. A few years ago, I was able to purchase a nickel "compensator" to go with my revolver. These respective specimens are the only ones I've ever seen. I am well-versed in the use of compensators due to many years shooting compensated 38 Super race guns. Compensators are most effective when high-pressure rounds are involved. I do not intend to damage the finish of my revolver and compensator by firing them. At most the compensator on a Model 25 Bullseye gun might provide some stablizing weight. The compensator on a .38 Special Bullseye gun would also be of little consequence given the wad-cutter loads utilized.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

My Dad shot bullseye with a 38/44 Outdoorsman with Herrett grips that were custom made for his hand. He was on the State Highway Patrol Pistol Team. We had a bullet trap in the basement of our house. Everyone in my family should have ear damage and lead poisoning. According to Mr. Jinks the gun was shipped in 1959. Still shoots like a champ.

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I had a bullet trap in my basement and shot .22s, lots of .22s. I should have lead poisoning for sure as I have also cast a ton of bullets.

So here is a K-38 story. You can tell me that I am a retard but I saw this happen. My shooting buddy Jack Rouse was a real good shot and knew how to load for this revolver. Someone had a Ransom rest at the range one day. He had a tuned .45 auto and was testing it. For some reason he had K frame inserts so Jack asked if he could use the rest with his revolver. The guy said yes and Jack proceeded to put the .45 to shame.

My dad and I shot 22 indoor in the 70s and he gave me the hi-standard trphy and he went back to his K 22 and had no issues holding down a VERY competetive spot on the team, but that is my Dad...

Somebody (I wish it were me, but they aren't mine!) posted these two excellent pictures of an ammo can with what I first assumed were three K Masterpieces but it seems more likely there are two Ks and the N frame 45 since there are a couple of half moon clips on the top tray. I'm now guessing the top gun is the N frame and it is apparently wearing a set of period target grips if I'm seeing it right. I'm impressed with the quality of the woodwork in the box and with the fact that the box itself is an old type, side opening ammo can. Class that cannot be hidden!

Froggie

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moosedog those are a thing of beauty, thank you for posting the photos, I'm envious. I loved shooting Bullseye, I miss it a lot. I once had the honor and pleasure of meeting Mr. Roy Jink's when he spoke at one of our annual award's banquets here in NY. That is the IPA League, Mr. Jinks was President of the League at one time and was kind enough to make the trip and be our guest speaker that year. I was keyed in on his every word, I knew what a special night that was and that it was one I'd remember forever.

I had tried my hand at a few other shooting competitions but one match of Bullseye and I was hooked. There was something very special about Bullseye, I considered it a "gentleman's sport". I met a lot of wonderful folks, kind and courteous, I'd walk into a range full of strangers and feel right at home, before a match was over I felt part of a family, every time. I never felt I was competing against anyone other then myself, always striving to improve and do better. And where else could you stand elbow to elbow on the line next to top shooters and have them make you feel an equal? And everyone was always willing to help each other, I never left a match feeling it wasn't fun.

One day I'd love to read some history on the Bullseye sport, mostly where and when it originated from. I seen a lot of photos at ranges of generations of Bullseye shooters from years gone by, somehow I wished I could go back in time and been there but I doubt it would have really been any different, good folks and good times. If anyone knows of where I could find some reading on the history of Bullseye or has any info or stories I'd be ever so grateful if you would share.

Here's a great book by Bill Jenkins:

U.S. Military Match and Marksmanship Automatic Pistols

(Nothing really on revolvers, but good historical info.)

Jim

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On the other hand, Modern American Pistols and Revolvers by one time president of the USRA, A.C. Gould (1894) is a treasury of early bullseye history and of the revolvers used.

It's available in reprints.

Best Regards,
Jim

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Thank you Jim! I'll have to look up the USRA and see if they can hook me up with a copy. I have some metals from the postal matches I shot with them over the years, it was a great way to get more shooting in. Winning metals was never expected but a nice bonus and they serve as good memories. To get them out of a drawer I built a display case for them, have it on the wall over my reloading bench, not the best pic but what I have right handy.

ETA: I found it on Amazon, Thanks again Jim!

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Nice revolvers, bulleye shooting with a revolver is a lot of fun. Those K series target pistols are a joy to shoot.

I still use a 60’s era model 17 for .22 bulleye shooting and a bit later vintage 14 for centerfire. Shoot them as well or better than every auto I have ever used including the much vaunted model 41.

I thought I’d show a pre war bullseye set featuring a first year K-22 and a 38 M&P Target from 1921. They are housed in an NRA case made by Hartman Luggage Co. of New York in the 1930’s. Bill

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Wow, that's a nice collection! History right there, the stories they carry! Love the old shell boxes and supplies, nicely put together collection, don't ever separate it!

I have a small collection of vintage ammo boxes, odds and ends of hunting and shooting related items. I always loved anything vintage with the shooting sports, if the price was reasonable I'd pick something up and find a place for it in my office/reloading room. I'm afraid it will all get tossed into boxes and sold for pennies in a yard sale when I'm gone, no one else in the family has any interest in my stuff.

Bullseye was always one of my favorite matches. We have a range (for rimfire only) in the basement of our Jr High School, (built in the 30's). 20 positions with cable & trolley target systems. We had convinced the school about 15+ years ago to improve the air handling and have good air exchange, by keeping it clean we passed an EPA inspection last fall. I ran the winter league for about 30 years, and can say we filled the 20 points one relay and about half for the second relay.

I have mentioned it to quite a few that bullseye is the foundation for about all pistol shooting. Once you learn the stance, hold, trigger, sight picture, breathing, follow through it can all be transitioned over to about any other pistol shooting.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I started Bullseye shooting in the mid-60s and it was a popular activity then. I quit in 1984 when I moved to an area which had no organized shooting activity of that sort. Early on, many Bullseye shooters used revolvers for the .22 and "any CF caliber" events. Then it seemed everyone was using semiauto pistols for all events, with shooters using their .45 pistols for the "any CF caliber" event. And everyone used .22 autopistols, usually customized Hi-Standards, sometimes Rugers. I used a Colt Match Woodsman. For awhile I used a K-38 revolver, but it just was not competitive with the .45. Just as the K-22 revolver was not competitive with a good .22 semiauto. And that is a brief story of the downfall of the K-series revolver (and also Colt revolvers) in Bullseye matches - they just were unable hold their own against customized and accurized semiautos in serious Bullseye competition. Of course today Bullseye shooting has been eclipsed by all of the so-called "Combat Themed" shooting games, and interest in Bullseye competitive shooting has waned in most parts of the country. Not exciting enough, I suppose.

You know, today the world has to go fast.
Fast food. Fast cars and bikes. Fast processors in PCs. Fast track at the airport....
Here in Italy we are going to appreciate even more Slow food vs fast food, bike commuting vs car, and so on.
We need to stop sometimes, and think, meditate.
Thinking is dangerous because forces people to awareness...
Bullseye shooting , for me, is meditation and relax. I love.

I dunno if it's allowed by the policy (in the case, adm can delete) : here a link for free downloading The Modern American Pistol and Revolver by Arthur Corbin Gould - Free Ebook

Moosedog - thanks for the photos of those pretty guns. Also, thanks for the words about Al Hemming - I have several boxes of .38 Special wadcutters from Hemming Reloading Service and never knew the story behind them.

OLD old school. I've seen three different variations of this military style. I have two.




DW

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"NUTS"

It should be fine. The book is in the public domain.

Ciao!
Jim

Here's my model 16-3 with a K-38 muzzle brake on it. After a while, it worked loose and my groups went downhill fast. I tightened it about as much as the one on my K-38, but I suspect that the K-32 barrel is just a fraction smaller in diameter. I understand that S&W may have made some muzzle brakes for the K-32. I have never seen one, so if anyone has one please show and tell.
While shooting the 16-3, I was able to shoot this slow fire 95-4 maybe 5 X (didn't plug it) which I am happy with.
About this 16-3. It is quite a story. It was shipped to Peterborough Gun Shop in Ontario Canada August 31st 1972. I hooked up with it's owner on the early internet and he was a Canadian Bullseye Shooter. I bought it for $500 in 2001. It had the target hammer and trigger which I like but it had some finish issues where it may have been stored improperly. I got a form 6 from the ATF and after jumping thru hoops on both sides of the border, it was received by a gun shop in Maine. It was a True Value Hardware that had an FFL.
You can imagine my excitement and anticipation to get this gun. Several weeks went by and no gun. I finally called the True Value and found out that the person in charge received the gun and then went on vacation. While he was gone, things piled up on his desk and some one stacked items on top of the gun. It was forgotten until I finally got in touch with him about three weeks later.
I later had S&W refinish it. Sometimes acquiring a certain gun is a memorable experience.

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Nice scaring experience ... do you mean that the delivery service forgot your weapon? It sounds incredible!
However, I'm a maniac about grips, and I see a very nice set of Fitz target !

Nice old school trigger shoe, too...

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Bayou52
NRA Life Member

That muzzle brake on the K32 is exactly like the one I have for my Model 25-2. The gun and the brake are nickel-plated and were bought separately about 20 years apart.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I never shot formal bullseye however I enjoy shooting bullseye and ppc target guns very much. I also use my bullseye gun boxes weekly. Thank you for sharing

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Tommy