K 32 masterpiece help

[Gatorbaiter]

Gents.. our father passed away and many of you may have known him. Hugh Clark from Texas. I am going to use his account as it may help alleviate any confusion ..

We have relocated all guns to our location and in doing so are inventoring them all. We have a few we are really stuck on. He had three K models two engraved one K22 by F.E Hendricks with letters on two except this one. Two engraved are in perfect condition with this one looking good.

Please feel free to PM me or post here. I will provide all information I can but believe pics tell allot.

We are also selling many Smith and Wesson’s in the near future. We really would like to get with somome that can go over some of these with us and give us a fair market value.

We are sending many colts and SW to RIA in the coming months if we don’t decide to figure out all this online auction stuff. Both really savvy on computers so only a matter of time.

Than you all for your help. Dad would of apprecierrr it as well.

Hugh and Chris

 

[Green Frog]

Sorry for your loss... I went through the same thing just under two years ago. Fortunately my dad and I were on the same page on guns, so I pretty much knew what he knew about his collection. Please go slowly on dumping his collection. Once gone, family affiliated stuff is hard to retrieve!

As for this specific K-32, I suggest you go through his junk drawers and look for the original grips. Those MOP steer head grips are sweet but the numbered grips would add to the value. Just as a FYI, I would place that gun in 1948 (working from memory here, book not in hand.) The box looks much newer (in condition at least) so could be a replacement. There is some wear on the blue, but I would be surprised if it brought less than $3000 on a bad day at auction... on a good day with a couple of determined bidders, well...

Froggie

 

[glowe]

No $3000 with those gold-tone parts and non-factory stocks for me. Since the gun was customized, the finish may not be original. Most all were blued. Look under the stocks on the butt-frame and on the flat on the bottom of the barrel for a very small "B" signifying blued.

Box is totally appropriate for a 1948 gun and I have two from that year, both in a gold box. I think you will see the maroon boxes only for 1946 and 1947 guns, but the gold box was introduced for all post-war guns in 1946. There were most likely many maroon boxes in the factory and they were either first used until they were all gone, or just mixed in with the new gold boxes until gone. What does the end of the box state for finish and is there a serial number written on the bottom of the box?

 

[JP@AK]

The absence of the B on the barrel flat isn't telling in this case. Postwar, that practice had been discontinued.

By 1948, the gold box was common. Maroon boxes were pretty much gone by then, as Gary wrote. But I agree, you should look for the number on the box bottom.

The price is definitely driven downward by the gold enhancements.

Still, a nice older gun. K-32s of this age aren't to be found everywhere.

 

[Green Frog]

Oops, I was on my iPad and missed the gold plated hammer and trigger. Yes, they do have a negative effect along with the wear and tear to the blueing (see especially picture 3 & 5) and the non-original MOP grips will drag it down a bit, but it still has significant value. I can’t make an offer to buy on this page of the Forum, but if you would like to discuss it by PM we can do so.

Froggie

PS That being a Texas gun, those MOP grips may have come through Wolf & Klar, though they were better known for N-frame 44s.

 

[glowe]

You bring up a good point about the possibility that the gun is blued, since I saw the finish and, to me, it looks nickel in the OPs picture?? Maybe it is worn bluing or a bright flash??

 

[RKmesa]

You bring up a good point about the possibility that the gun is blued, since I saw the finish and, to me, it looks nickel in the OPs picture?? Maybe it is worn bluing or a bright flash??

I too thought the finish was nickel. Nickel would be more consistent with the blinged out gold hammer, trigger and thumb piece. Also the light scratches on the sides are something that I see in nickel, more than in blued guns...

 

[Gatorbaiter]

Thanks guys... appreciate the help and remarks. So SW didn’t make any in nickle or were they just few and far between? Is there a way to check. Box is not original but added. I will try to locate original grips as I’m sure he has them if not, I have many more to chose from. Here is the FE Hendricks K22.

 

[g-dad]

Very sorry for your loss. Several years ago I put a dent on one of the panels of a M37 I had just purchased. Through posting here and on another forum I was told to contact your father. Through e-mail correspondence he was very gracious and detailed in explaining how to remedy my problem. I still have those emails in a file where I keep important info regarding any firearm related repairs.

Just an observation but in the 3rd & 5th pics the side plate doesn't seem to fit properly where it meets the backstrap. Then again it may just be the angle of the gun and shadowing.

 

[29aholic]

I have seen more pics of this gun and believe it to have an after factory nickel job done on it to go with the gold parts. Some of the pics I've seen there is significant corrosion to the nickel.


It is still a gun I would not mind having for a shooter. I like the MOP grips as they kind of match my 2nd Model 44 except one of the eyes is missing.

 

[handejector]

Gents.. our father passed away and many of you may have known him. Hugh Clark from Texas.

Sorry for your loss.

I am going to use his account as it may help alleviate any confusion ..

Actually, there is a better chance that will cause confusion, especially since I place "Absent Comrade" as the member title on members who have died.
See the PM I sent you.