MrG5122
Member
Only 3630 we're made. Does anyone have a number on 5 screws?
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How many K32 5 screws?
- Thread starter MrG5122
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I have no idea. I want 1 too. Would LOVE to see a 1 liner. Pretty sure they are like unicorns.
Bob
With the possible exception of a couple of early salesman samples, all K-32 Masterpieces should be four-line revolvers. Distribution in commercial quantities began in earnest in 1949, almost a year after the four line address block became standard.
My guess is that between 2000 and 2500 of the K-32 Masterpieces will be five-screw revolvers. Production tapered off pretty severely in the later years when it became clear there was just not a gigantic market for the model. Four-screw guns should be much harder to find than the ones with five screws, and three-screw specimens rarer yet.
Rarest of all will be the early K-32s with a large ejector rod knob (LERK). At one point I believed that there would be no such guns, but in the last two or three years a few have turned up. I didn't look back to check the stats, but I think five LERK K-32s are known at this time.
My guess is that between 2000 and 2500 of the K-32 Masterpieces will be five-screw revolvers. Production tapered off pretty severely in the later years when it became clear there was just not a gigantic market for the model. Four-screw guns should be much harder to find than the ones with five screws, and three-screw specimens rarer yet.
Rarest of all will be the early K-32s with a large ejector rod knob (LERK). At one point I believed that there would be no such guns, but in the last two or three years a few have turned up. I didn't look back to check the stats, but I think five LERK K-32s are known at this time.
I agree with David. The last version of the K-32 was the model 16-3, which was discontinued in 1974 I believe. I've seen about half a dozen 16-3's, and every one had a "6" stamped over a "4" in the model number. My theory is that demand was so low by then the factory didn't even bother to stamp any 16-3 frames, and when they did get an order for one they just over-stamped a 14-3 frame and fitted it with a K-32 barrel and cylinder.
bmg60
SWCA Member
HI
the numbers I have used over the years is below. Davids numbers are pretty close but I broke it down a little farther.
k-32 Narrow rib est. 400
k-32 Wide rib est. 2030
K-32 4 screw est. 400
K-32-2 est. 300
k-32-3 est. 500
The reason for the numbers is how many you see.
the -2 is the hardest to find
the Narrow rib and the 4 screw are the next hardest to find
and the 16-3 was made the longest.
and the 5 screw wide rib is the one yoy see the most of.
Jim Fisher
just my 2 cents worth.
the numbers I have used over the years is below. Davids numbers are pretty close but I broke it down a little farther.
k-32 Narrow rib est. 400
k-32 Wide rib est. 2030
K-32 4 screw est. 400
K-32-2 est. 300
k-32-3 est. 500
The reason for the numbers is how many you see.
the -2 is the hardest to find
the Narrow rib and the 4 screw are the next hardest to find
and the 16-3 was made the longest.
and the 5 screw wide rib is the one yoy see the most of.
Jim Fisher
just my 2 cents worth.
DWFAN
US Veteran
5 screw, four line, K58963. Narrow rib.
DW
DW
mikepriwer
SWCA Member
This ought to be as early a K-32 as one can find - its the first serial number post-WW2 K32.
All original, one-line frame roll marking, and (I assume) the large extractor nob. Note: the grips are not original to
the gun. When I got the gun, the left grip panel was a modified pre-WW2 grip that had a thumb rest on it. I replaced
those grips with what you see on the gun.
Regards, Mike Priwer
All original, one-line frame roll marking, and (I assume) the large extractor nob. Note: the grips are not original to
the gun. When I got the gun, the left grip panel was a modified pre-WW2 grip that had a thumb rest on it. I replaced
those grips with what you see on the gun.
Regards, Mike Priwer
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Wow, unicorns are real......
Nickel? Refinish?
Thanks for posting it Mike. That's pretty darn cool.
Bob
Nickel? Refinish?
Thanks for posting it Mike. That's pretty darn cool.
Bob
mikepriwer
SWCA Member
That is its as-shipped factory nickel finish.
Mike
Mike
I'm pretty sure that David has this one in his stats. K2244 shipped March 10, 1948 to E. F. Warner, Publisher Field and Stream. It came to me with the rare "first type of target grips" - obviously added at a later date but nevertheless stamped 2244. Single line address and LERK.
Attachments
fosterlj4684
SWCA Member
Jim
I have two 4-screw K-32's, one with a model number and one without, do you know how many of each was actually produced?
Lloyd Foster
SWCA #3405
StrawHat
SWCA Member
Again, the collective knowledge on this forum is amazing. EVERY time I visit, I learn something.
Thank you all for continuing my education.
Kevin
Thank you all for continuing my education.
Kevin
Green Frog
Member
Lloyd, when we were discussing the overstamped 16-3s in another thread, I remembered this thread (among others) mentioning the factory practice described by PMRet in Post #4. I guess the only way one can be absolutely sure of authenticity is that factory letter. It’s certainly telling that so few example of the 16-3 were made over the relatively long “production” run... they obviously don’t qualify as “regular production.”
On a related topic, did your K-32 with ramp front sight and W/O rear letter as originally equipped like that?
Mike, was that super-early nickel plated example of yours produced as a salesman’s sample or demo piece, perhaps? It surely makes my froggie heart beat faster!
Froggie
On a related topic, did your K-32 with ramp front sight and W/O rear letter as originally equipped like that?
Mike, was that super-early nickel plated example of yours produced as a salesman’s sample or demo piece, perhaps? It surely makes my froggie heart beat faster!
Froggie
Not in the same class I know, but any idea on the number of 16-4 produced.
Approximately 8800 total. Produced in 4", 6" ad 8 3/8". It is thought the most produced was the 6" followed by the 4" and fewest were 8 3/8".
A couple days ago I spotted an old Smith (.32 S&W) at a local pawn shop. It has a 6” bbl, the finish is well worn, the right grip is broken, but overall it’s in ok shape. They’re asking $399. I had pics but deleted them. Is this a K32? Should I head back and take another look?
My 16-4 could use company...
My 16-4 could use company...
Attachments
Yes, it’s a K frame with adjustable sights.
