i have a k 32 long with a 4" barrel no model # would it be call a combat masterpiece

i have a k 32 long with a 4" barrel no model # would it be call a combat masterpiece

Welcome to the forum. When you say "K 32", I assume you mean a K frame .32 S&W Long with adjustable sights. There was a limited run of 4" K-32s in 1949 and the book lists a substantial premium (4-5X). They call it a K-32 Combat Masterpiece. What's the serial number off the butt (replace each of the last two digits with an X if your concerned). Pictures would be nice too.

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"I also cook."

I highly recommend getting a letter from S&W's Roy Jinks.
That may well be a very valuable revolver.
Good luck,
John

HJYoung,
You have just launched the heartrate of many S&W afficianatos. Your first remarks describe a rare and valuable revolver. Please review your piece and post a very accurate description.

Bob in Indy

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Bob in Indy

Yes, it's a k frame with adjustable sights. The serial number is k661xx. I have some pictures but I am not sure how to post them. HELP!! Thanks!!

bdgreen's primer on how to post pics here:

How To Post Pictures

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John

Another S&W model I didn't know existed.

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To be a rock and not to roll

K661XX was shipped in 1948-49. You have a very valuable piece there, wished it was mine.

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Dick

Holy ****!

When I read the title and the first post I automatically thought the poster had a .32 hand ejector with a 4" barrel.

Then, when I read the next post with the serial number my eyes nearly popped out.

A true K32 Combat Masterpiece is one of a very few honest to God S&W Holy Grails. Extremely limited numbers. Most S&W nuts go their entire life without laying eyes upon one. For .32 nuts, like me, it's the #1 Holy Grail.

PLEASE show us photos so we can live vicariously through you.

Also, what's the story behind the revolver? Where/when did you get it? From who did you get it from? Is it barely used or used and abused? Does it come with the original box/paperwork/tools?

I would HIGHLY recommend getting a S&W historical letter for this gun.

Congratulations on having one outstanding handgun and the envy of just about everyone here.



Here's a photo of my 6" K32 Masterpiece, Model 16 no dash. Also in the photo is the S&W Historical Letter I got for the gun...which is what we're saying you should get for your gun.

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~ S&WCA No.2159 ~

Maybe... It's time to post some pics and request a factory letter. The condition will effect value and while it seems to be in the right serial number range, the barrel could have been shortened.

If you don't have a digital camera, go buy one. If it's right, it's worth a lot (maybe 5-10K). If it's cut, not even close. PLEASE post pics!

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"I also cook."

I have several 6" K32's of different vintages; I have never seen a 4", except of course for the 16-4 (not a K32 in my opinion). And although there must be some people out there who HAVE seen one, I've never met such a person. I would not be surprised if the barrel is cut. If not, it is a very, very valuable gun, a true collector's item. I'd sure like to see a picture.

Bill

We need to see some pictures of this one. Send someone an email with the pictures and we will be more than happy to post them for you. My email address is in my profile.

For a photo of a K-32 Combat Masterpiece see page 180 of Jink's book.
IIRC this gun was for sale a few years ago by George Wimer.
John

Yup, I've seen that picture; and I'd be pretty reluctant to buy from Wimer.

Bill

ill try to post some pics after i get out of work

Try to get shots of the butt of the frame, the cyliner crane, cylinder face, inside the frame where the yolk closes on it, both sides of the barrel and a good crisp closeup of the muzzle/front sight.

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~ S&WCA No.2159 ~

I hope these pictures help identify my k32.
http://photobucket.com/swcombatmasterpiece

Very interesting gun. Congradulations.
I can't help but notice the barrel seems to have less finish wear than the rest of the gun although the lettering appears centered.
Should clean up pretty nice. A factory letter will tell the story.

On the under side of the barrel, where it is covered by the ejector rod, the barrel has a flat machined in it and it should be stamped with the serial number of the gun. If it isn't there, then the barrel has probably been changed by a gunsmith. Otherwise this is definitely a gun that you should get a factory letter. Even though the finish is in rather poor condition it is very valuable. And re-finishing this gun will hurt the value, not increase it.

the s\n matches the one on the butt im going to send for a letter from the factory thanks

It looks like a barrel that has been cut and then the sight re-positioned. I have never seen a factory sight done like that on a 6" let alone a 4" K-frame.

Neat gun, could very well be a legit 4 inch gun. The large knob on the ejector rod is neat, definitely a transition era gun.
Here are some pics of a 4" K32 that's owned by one of our members - Mike Priwer. Had the opportunity to take some pics of this treasure a couple years back. The gun is shown along with an "X" serial numbered K22 Combat Masterpiece. The K32 is the bottom gun in the pics.







hjyoung, what is the serial number range of the gun?

Smithnut, he listed it on page one.......K661XX from about 1948-49. HTH

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Dick

Thanks Dick,
I didn't see the number.
Mike's gun is a couple thousand digits higher (K68xxx) as I recall.

Yup, by jove, I think hj just might have a real winner there. I would definately get a letter.

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Dick

Thanks for posting the pics. I am by no means an expert here but it looks enough like a legit K32 Combat Masterpiece that it absolutely deserves a letter to settle the issue once and for all. Finding out is a big deal. The value range would be a couple hundred bucks at most if it's not and several thousands of dollars if it is.

The only noticeable difference I see in the OP's photos and SmithNut's photos of the confirmed K32 CM are the markings on the right side of the barrel. It looks like the gun SmithNut photographed has "* 32 LONG CTG *" and the OP's gun has "32 LONG CTG". The difference being the little doo-dad asterisk lookin' thingy on both sides of the wording on the confirmed K32 CM.

Please get that bad boy lettered and let us know as soon as possible.

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~ S&WCA No.2159 ~

The only one of these I ever saw was at an OGCA show many years ago, in the early 80's. It was new in a gold box and I'm almost certain it had the ramp front sight. At the time, I did not know the 4 inch version even existed and had a brief chat with the owner, who claimed it was new and unfired, which it appeared to be. I don't recall the exact price, but it was in the "outrageous" range of either $1600.00, or $1800.00...give or take... Had I known at the time what I was looking at, I would have borrowed the money to buy it.

Thanks to everyone that tried to help identify my k32! I sent a letter off to Smith & Wesson today. I will let you know as soon as I find out if it's real or not. Thanks!

How about a back ground story how you came across it?

About 5 yrs ago I started going to the range and a friend of mine said he had some pistols he wanted to sell. He had the k32, what I think is a 38 44 heavyduty, a 9mm compact, and a 22 9 shot revolver. His deceased father was a retired policeman so I think the guns came from him. He wanted $500 for the lot and I said ok!

Wow, you are very lucky to run across a deal like that. By the way, welcome aboard the Forum. You are off to a great start.

Excuse me while I quietly die of envy...

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~ S&WCA No.2159 ~

Just wanted to let you know, I FINALLY got the letter from Roy Jinks at Smith & Wesson. It said the handgun was a shipment of 10 specially ordered with a 4 inch barrel to B.W. Folsom in Warren, Ohio. So does that mean it is a combat masterpiece?

What did Roy call it? Most time he gives some history with it.

the letter said pre model 16 5 screw special barrel length variation .32 s&w long

Yep, you found one of the rarest S&W revolvers, and got it for a song. I saw one of these a few years ago at the yearly Colorado Collectors show in Denver. One of the big collector/dealers had a display that included a K32 Combat Masterpiece, along with the rest of the set (K32, K22's and K38's)

That means i'd be scouring gun shows and shops in that areea of Ohio!

Nice gun, nice score, wlecom to teh Forum.

hj,
Great story and congrats on find of a lifetime!

Do you, or does anyone know who or what is B.W. Folsom in Warren, Ohio? A retailer? A private owner? Some background on him/them may give some clues on the other nine. I'm certainly interested too.

Bob in Indy

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Bob in Indy

I was curious too to know who/what B.W. Folsom was also. I tried to do a little research on the internet but I didn't find anything. Another poster said they saw one at a show in Ohio years ago.

That is a sharp revolver by itself but the rarity and story behind it make it even better.

Congratulations on the find and the price,
Scott

Wow, seems to be the week for rare .32's. I guess I have a few months wait to get the last word on my 5" .32 M&P.
My .32 M&P story

I am a .32 nut, and this is the closest I have come..... 1 of 196 .32 reg. police guns made in 4" and assembled from pre-war parts in 1956....



I was really excited when I found this and surprised on enormity of offers for it.

Terry

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

it would be nice if mine look as good as yours

hjyoung

Congrats on the 4". I wanted to send you something but can't see an email address on your profile. My email is [email protected]. If you'd drop me a mail I'll respond asap.

Thanks.

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Dave Ballantyne