Help with Pre 16

[H Richard]

I may have the opportunity to possibly buy a Pre Mod 16, and a Pre 36 Target.
The Pre 16 is a 5 screw, 6 rib backstrap, S/N 66080, which is kind of between the numbers in the SCSW4. I'm guessing the date at 1948. Condition is near new. Very Very faint turn line, no marks on recoil shield. Is the matte blue, magna grips (numbered to gun). I was able to examine it for a few minutes. I know this is a rare piece, but where are these in truly outstanding condition, going for ?

The Pre Mod 36 Target, 2" is as close to new as you can get. S/N 57766. It looks to have never been shot. No box, I understand there is the possibility of fakes with these, and a letter is probably the best to get but there may not be enough time to get a letter. I held in my hand and it appeared all factory.

These guns may come up at an auction Dec. Probably more than I can afford. Any guesstimate of current pricing of these?

 

[22hipower]

Haven't seen any sell recently; probably in the $3-$5k range for the 32; no idea on the pre-36. Probably not enough time for a letter but the good Doctor Jinks might reply to a question about the barrel length if you posed the question to him. Good luck, do let us know if you get them.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[DCWilson]

A handful of K-32 Masterpieces shipped in late 1948, but commercial distribution didn't really get under way until early 1949. I have K66021, not far from the one you are looking at, which shipped in February 1949; additionally, K66098, even closer on the other side, is known to have shipped in January 1950. Other serial numbers (including some 56xxx revolvers) are scattered over shipment dates in between.

In general, I have never seen a lot of heavily-used or thrashed K-32s. Once bought, most of them seem to have been well cared for, or at least not to have been used much. Thus most are in surprisingly good shape for their age. A minimally used revolver like the one you describe would probably be at least a $3000 specimen, give or take a few percent. ANIB specimens with all literature and tools are the ones that would push closer to the $5000 level, or perhaps even above.

I could be badly off the mark on those values. I don't follow the early Masterpieces as closely as I used to.

 

[JP@AK]

S/N 66080, which is kind of between the numbers in the SCSW4. I'm guessing the date at 1948.

K-32 Masterpiece K66035 shipped on February 10, 1949. Your serial number should be K66080, but I'm sure you know that.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I can't add anything to the K-32 conversation except, good luck!

The Chiefs Special Target, on the other hand, is in the serial number range of known examples so I doubt it's an aftermarket conversion.

Is it a square butt? Grips match?

Looking at Joe Cebull's CST database over on the SWCA website, it appears the ones from that first lot of 100 (according to Dr. Jinks' book) shipped March - September '55.

jcelect can likely give you a better idea than can I about its market value.

 

[jcelect]

I may have the opportunity to possibly buy a Pre Mod 16, and a Pre 36 Target.
The Pre 16 is a 5 screw, 6 rib backstrap, S/N 66080, which is kind of between the numbers in the SCSW4. I'm guessing the date at 1948. Condition is near new. Very Very faint turn line, no marks on recoil shield. Is the matte blue, magna grips (numbered to gun). I was able to examine it for a few minutes. I know this is a rare piece, but where are these in truly outstanding condition, going for ?

The Pre Mod 36 Target, 2" is as close to new as you can get. S/N 57766. It looks to have never been shot. No box, I understand there is the possibility of fakes with these, and a letter is probably the best to get but there may not be enough time to get a letter. I held in my hand and it appeared all factory.

These guns may come up at an auction Dec. Probably more than I can afford. Any guesstimate of current pricing of these?

The CST is in the block of 114 guns #55050-57xxx, shipped in 1955-1957! A lot of them shipped in 1955. I would value that gun in the 2K area +/-!

The K32 was probably shipped in late 1949. I agree the price is probably around the $3K-$5K area. FYI - #K 2143, 6" NI, shipped 26 May 49 to Leacock Sporting Goods, St Louis, MO. This was the first gun shipped to the public.

We want pictures when you buy them! To quote Mr Jinks "I hope this helps?"

jcelect

 

[rct269]

Those K-32's in my collection sold within the last three years as follows:

K-32 1st Model #681819, 95% (but scruffy---poor care), $7150.

K-32 2nd Model (narrow rib/matte finish) #K58970, 97%, $3825.

K-32 3rd Model (wide rib/bright blue/box) #K232389, 98%, $3525

Ralph Tremaine

 

[AKtinman]

K66080 is likely a Narrow Rib gun.

Here's some information on recent K32 Narrow Rib sales:

K67599 (Narrow Rib) advertised as 97% with non-matching Diamond Magnas sold 8/27/2022 for $3500 at Amoskeag Auction. Link:
Smith & Wesson K-32 Masterpiece Hand Ejector Revolver |




Guns & Military Artifacts

Handguns & Pistols

Revolvers

| Online Auctions | Proxibid

K66163, Narrow Rib, sold 8/7/2022 for $5900.
Just a moment...

 

[H Richard]

Two Bit Cowboy, yes it has square butt and matching grips.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Terrific. Thanks for that.

Joe can correct me if this is not correct, but I fully believe that is a 4-screw, Model of 1953 frame, with the small knurled hammer.

That would be a feather in any Chiefs collector's hat. Best wishes for adding it to your stable.

 

[MajorD]

As far as condition, the 32’s were niche guns, designed mostly to have a light recoiling centerfire for bullseye competition. They didn’t have much of a role in police use or as outdoorsman’s guns. Bullseye guns get taken to and from the range in a secure container, like a bullseye box, get shot then return home also in a protective container, so the limited wear seen on these is what you would expect.
My usual bullseye guns are a model 17 and 14 and they are in great shape as they don’t get carried exposed to weather or holstered and drawn

 

[stu1ritter]

K32 K67160 shipped March 4, 1949

Stu

 

[peyton]

Don't wait for our answers, go buy it now!!

 

[Grayfox]

A K-32 is at the top of my grail list. I've never seen one in person, much less had a chance to buy one.
Buy it NOW!

 

[peyton]

Don't leave us in suspense, did you buy the gun??

 

[H Richard]

This will be in an auction in Dec. I doubt if I'll be able to afford it.