A Masterpiece Trifecta

[22hipower]

I've wanted one of each of the early Masterpieces for quite awhile although any of the later ones are great too. I've had the 22LR Masterpiece (SN K143198) for a long time. The 38 Special (K90302) showed up at the Tulsa Symposium auction this summer, and the 32 Long (K103979) finally arrived last weekend. I think all three are in the 1950/51/52 timeframe.

I doubt that any of them left the factory with non-relieved targets. . . .but they should have.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qmDVYb https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qmDhzT https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qmDhzN https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[robertrwalsh]

Definitely not too shabby. I only have one, a .38 special, not as nice as yours but it still shoots great. Better than I can hold.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I have 2 38’s and 1 22. I’d love a 32 but won’t pay the insane prices.

My 6” 38 came with a set of plastic imitation stag that I couldn’t stand looking at so I subbed these for the moment. Actually they feel really good.

 

[22hipower]

I have 2 38’s and 1 22. I’d love a 32 but won’t pay the insane prices.

My 6” 38 came with a set of plastic imitation stag that I couldn’t stand looking at so I subbed these for the moment. Actually they feel really good.

I think we need a little bit more discussion on that second set of grips. Some better pictures of those please and a little more info.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[SmithNut]

I think we need a little bit more discussion on that second set of grips. Some better pictures of those please and a little more info.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

They look like they were custom made for Liberace...

 

[SmithNut]

Very nice trio Jeff....

Love the K38 the best as it's sporting that sexy Hi-Speed (Fish Hook ) hammer....

Regards.

 

[22hipower]

Love the K38 the best as it's sporting that sexy Hi-Speed (Fish Hook ) hammer....

Regards.

Yes, but that's the K32.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[SmithNut]

Yes, but that's the K32.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Ahhhh, I still like it

 

[RWJ]

Nice!

Congrats on the acquisition of the Holy Trio of S&W collectors!!

 

[Retired W4]

Beautiful trifecta Jeff. I do like the Non-relieved target on them.
Here is my set. The 32 S&WL is a 16 ND.

 

[JP@AK]

22LR Masterpiece (SN K143198)
38 Special (K90302)
32 Long (K103979)

Jeff
Based on my list, here are approximate dates for your trifecta.
K-22, 1952
K-38, 1950
K-32, 1951

Nice collection. Based on my experience, it is most likely that all of them shipped with Magna stocks. And all of those would have been of the sharp shoulder variety. For what it's worth.

 

[rbmac52]

I think we need a little bit more discussion on that second set of grips. Some better pictures of those please and a little more info.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Those grips are likely from eBay gripmaker "vitoonmaker."

Here's a link:

MOTHER OF PEARL GRIPS FOR S&W K, L FRAME SQUARE/ROUND BUTT BLACK FLOWER NICE | eBay

 

[22hipower]

Jeff
Based on my list, here are approximate dates for your trifecta.
K-22, 1952
K-38, 1950
K-32, 1951

Nice collection. Based on my experience, it is most likely that all of them shipped with Magna stocks. And all of those would have been of the sharp shoulder variety. For what it's worth.

Thanks Jack. Those were roughly the dates I suspected. I'll probably letter the K-32.

Agree that sharp shoulder magnas were likely on all three from the factory. Oddly, I find nice sharp shoulder magnas harder to find than non-relieved targets. Which is ok I guess, since I prefer the targets anyway.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[22hipower]

Those grips are likely from eBay gripmaker "vitoonmaker."

Here's a link:

MOTHER OF PEARL GRIPS FOR S&W K, L FRAME SQUARE/ROUND BUTT BLACK FLOWER NICE | eBay

Those are interesting and I'd like to have a closer look. Wonder how durable they are. They might work on the right engraved gun.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[larryofcc]

2 in my trifecta came with numbered to the gun, magna high horn stocks. My K38 also had a target hammer. The K32 had the round top stocks, also numbered to the gun.
K22- 1947
K32- 1952
K38- 1949
Got the K32 a few years ago on this forum. I was 1st to call a "I'll take it" Got a great deal on it. Big Larry

 

[raljr1]

I kinda got lucky with my Masterpiece revolvers, I have six of them. 3 K22s, 2 K32s, and one K38. Three of the six are birth year guns. The others are 1948, 1953, and 1954

One Set,

 

[glowe]

Don't forget that there were 6 Masterpiece revolvers. I am still looking for the perfect Combat Masterpiece guns in the box to fill out the set, but here are my 4 guns. Two of mine were 1948 guns so definitely did not ship with non-relieved targets.

 

[RWJ]

Don't forget that there were 6 Masterpiece revolvers. I am still looking for the perfect Combat Masterpiece guns in the box to fill out the set, but here are my 4 guns. Two of mine were 1948 guns so definitely did not ship with non-relieved targets.

Gary,


Not to hijack,



Are the 4" full underlug guns considered Masterpieces as well? Would they be Combat Masterpieces, or just Masterpieces?

 

[glowe]

I always think of a barrel underlug as what all S&Ws have to lock the extractor rod knob in place. If you are referring to what I call on post-WWII barrel shrouds that enclose the extractor rod, those were only found on N frames for many years after WWII before K frames came out with them. Masterpiece revolvers are those named models with target sights and barrel ribs and named by the company as Masterpiece guns from 1946 to sometime after 1958. The name was gradually changed to the model number designations which started in 1957-1958.

 

[MHF]

Don't forget that there were 6 Masterpiece revolvers. I am still looking for the perfect Combat Masterpiece guns in the box to fill out the set, but here are my 4 guns. Two of mine were 1948 guns so definitely did not ship with non-relieved targets.

So Gary name the 6”? Target, & combat?
Another group would be the Outdoorsman. Prewar no rib. How many different guns would that be? Just the N and the 22?