Why Masterpiece
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Jaco1234
I'm not 100% sure what you mean by your question, but perhaps this will answer it.
Before WWII, a small percentage of the K frame M&Ps made were equipped with target sights. They were simply called "Military & Police Target Models." After the war, the target models were given an different name and presented as a separate model line with a 6" barrel - the K-38 Masterpiece. At approximately the same time the K-22 and K-32 were introduced also in the "Masterpiece" line. Shortly thereafter the .22 and .38 versions were also offered with 4" barrels and called the "Combat Masterpiece." An exception was the .22 6" version, which was actually introduced before the war, in 1940.
So, what makes a "Masterpiece" is a K frame with target sights.
I'm not 100% sure what you mean by your question, but perhaps this will answer it.
Before WWII, a small percentage of the K frame M&Ps made were equipped with target sights. They were simply called "Military & Police Target Models." After the war, the target models were given an different name and presented as a separate model line with a 6" barrel - the K-38 Masterpiece. At approximately the same time the K-22 and K-32 were introduced also in the "Masterpiece" line. Shortly thereafter the .22 and .38 versions were also offered with 4" barrels and called the "Combat Masterpiece." An exception was the .22 6" version, which was actually introduced before the war, in 1940.
So, what makes a "Masterpiece" is a K frame with target sights.
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Both good answers above. My short answer is, it is a branding or marketing term but an accurate one. 
Kinda like Ford Custom and DeLuxe models.
One other thing I always found interesting with the Masterpiece line is that at some point, I think the mid-1950s, the K-22, K-32 and K-38 also all weighed the same when loaded. Giving the shooter the consistant weight in the hand when shooting any of the models.
Here is a bit more history of the "Masterpiece" revolvers, taken from "History of Smith & Wesson" by Roy Jinks.
"Mr. Hellstrom, elected president of Smith & Wesson in 1946, and the first person not a member of the Wesson family to hold this office, insisted on a complete redesign of the K target models. The redesigned models were completely different from prewar models. They had ribbed barrels and were equipped with a new micrometer click sight which did not require that it be polished to the frame as did the previous style."
"The first new K Target model completed was the K-22 and the first guns were available for sale on December 13, 1946. In the advertising of this series, the factory emphasized the name Masterpiece, believing they had introduced a true masterpiece for the competitive shooter."
So, historically speaking, this is how the postwar target revolvers from Smith and Wesson became known as "Masterpiece".
"Mr. Hellstrom, elected president of Smith & Wesson in 1946, and the first person not a member of the Wesson family to hold this office, insisted on a complete redesign of the K target models. The redesigned models were completely different from prewar models. They had ribbed barrels and were equipped with a new micrometer click sight which did not require that it be polished to the frame as did the previous style."
"The first new K Target model completed was the K-22 and the first guns were available for sale on December 13, 1946. In the advertising of this series, the factory emphasized the name Masterpiece, believing they had introduced a true masterpiece for the competitive shooter."
So, historically speaking, this is how the postwar target revolvers from Smith and Wesson became known as "Masterpiece".
"Labeled" how? All Model 14s, regardless of dash number, are K-38 Masterpiece revolvers.
Perhaps a better question would be, why not call them a masterpiece? The K-frame fits a wide variety of hand sizes, is a good size for carry as well as range and even hunting use, usually has a very nice double action trigger and a crisp and light single action pull, and can be chambered in calibers from .22 to 357 Magnum, even though the 357's were not called Masterpiece.
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The original Masterpiece, pre war.
enjoy,
bdGreen
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enjoy,
bdGreen
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All S & W revolvers have a model name, and after 1958 a model number was added. So any model 14 also has the name K-38 Masterpiece.
Anyone calling a model 14-2 only that can be forgiven for not knowing its name, even though it is printed in large letters on the parts diagram, and sometimes on the box.
StrawHat
SWCA Member
YeshuaIsa53
SWCA Member
Those are two beauties, bd. I knew if anyone had them...
Martowski
Member
"Masterpiece" was a name attached by S&W to the K-frame pistols with adjustable sights. Don't think about "Masterpiece" as a descriptive name, but think of it as a label applied by the manufacturer. For example, Ford currently lists a number of different trim levels for their F-150. One of them is called "XLT" simply because that's how Ford chose to label that specific model with a specific set of features. Same holds true with "Masterpiece."
In the 1941 catalog, S&W describes the new K-22 as a "masterpiece" of the gunmakers art. Masterpiece then becomes part of the name of the new line of revolvers developed and marketed by S&W. I thought S&W might have tried to patent the name, K-22 Masterpiece, but the company never did.
Bill
Bill
This came to pass at the behest of the great unwashed, who----seemingly desperate for something to fuss and fume about, fussed about the differing weights. S&W, ever eager to please, fiddled with the narrow ribs on the K-32 and K-38---making them wider so those guns weighed essentially the same as the narrow rib K-22. UH-OH!!
Now the great unwashed had a new cause----rib discrepancy---narrow vs. wide----although the wide ribs on the 32 and 38 were also different widths. (I don't know why they didn't fuss about that.)
S&W was again, quick to respond-----bringing out the wide rib 22. In a desperate attempt to be all things to all people, or maybe just to hedge their bet, they continued to offer the narrow rib 22. All is well------or not.
The wide rib K-22 sold like hot cakes, and the narrow rib just sat there----to the point the narrow rib gun was discontinued. UH-OH!! again, 'cause now the guns were different weights all over again. And last I knew they still are. I don't know what's been done or to be done about that----maybe stop making all of them in favor of something in a lighter weight---aluminium maybe---or plastic. You reckon they can make a gun out of plastic?
Ralph Tremaine
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LostintheOzone
US Veteran
What about model 19's with target stocks, hammer and trigger. They must all be a "Masterpiece" as well because they're K frames with adj. sights.
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I knew someone would yap about this.
No, the Combat Magnum came about several years later (December, 1955). It wasn't called a K-357, nor was it considered part of the Masterpiece line. It was intended to be working man's gun, particularly for the Border Patrol (from which the initial impetus came).
Perhaps I should have mentioned this in my earlier post, but we were talking about the early postwar period, so I didn't.
Incidentally, it was the first postwar 4 screw revolver. The Combat Magnum was never made in a 5 screw version.
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I totally disagree with your "Don't think about "Masterpiece" as a descriptive name, but think of it as a label applied by the manufacturer."
Previous offerings, by Smith and Wesson, were fine tools in their own right.
With the re-engineering of the 1st model Masterpiece came upgrades that are still in effect today.
Their 1940 pre war offering of a thoroughbred target .22 revolver was a notable improvement over previous models.
Based upon those improvements Smith and Wesson had every right to assign the moniker, "Masterpiece".
Why?
Because it was and still is.
bdGreen
