K32 Masterpiece & Combat Masterpiece Compendium

[Wiregrassguy]

Having recently acquired a Model 16 Masterpiece target revolver, I went looking in Notable Threads for more information. Nothing there. So, I did some forum searches. Bits and pieces. It seems we have not had one thread for folks to showcase their K32's in Masterpiece and Combat Masterpiece configurations and I would like to see more of these rare birds. Please post some pictures and tell us briefly about your K32s.

My K32 is not a showcase but I'll start anyway. It is a 4 screw Model 16 (SN K350466) with left hand extractor rod threads that shipped April 30, 1959. It has led a hard life - barrel shortened to 5", ramp front sight installed, TH & TT polished, magnas replaced with Rosewood target stocks, and portions of it corroded probably in salt water. I have plans to address these issues and will post back when they are done. If you have questions about this either PM me or look for my other thread on this gun so we can stay focused in this thread on compiling as many different snapshots of K32s as possible. The box is not original but is period correct (thanks Bullet Bob!).

 

[M_conrad_0311]

Guy, those are fine photos of a great revolver. I am excited to see where this thread goes. Thank you for starting it.

 

[Jebus35745]

Have you taken it out to the range yet? Interesting gun, I watched the auction end. Larry

 

[Green Frog]

Timely thread. As I've stated elsewhere, I'm just about ready to begin a recreation project of an early (narrow rib) K-32.
The only thing that is actually a real K-32 part is the NOS barrel, but I can show that here if you like.
I'm not planning on fooling anybody with the finished project, so the donor gun is a Model 15-2 with a 3 screw frame, but the overall configuration will match my vintage 1948 K-22 and -38. If this thread is still active and you would like, I'll post the finished product as well.

Froggie

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

Sadly, I have nothing to contribute, but I'll be watching and drooling!

 

[stu1ritter]

I'll help kick it off in the Combat side. Found in a local gun store with a consignment price tag. Story has been told before. Here are a couple of photo's and Roy's letter.

Stu

 

[nuguy]

Late to the show

Here are a couple pics I had in my file. Not very good but here they are. This is 16-3 so it is one of the later K-32's. It shipped July, 11 1972, S/N 3K32475. 6 inch blue.

 

[75R90S]

Here is K208307. Not lettered, but circa 1954.
I apologize for the photography.

 

[bullmack]

My K-32 is s/n K2244. It shipped March 10, 1948 to E. F. Warner, Publisher of Field and Stream Magazine in New York. The shipment to Mr. Warner also included K-38 Masterpiece K4639, .38/44 Outdoorsman S71794, and .357 Magnum S71352. Sure would be neat to have all four back together again!

The K-32 came to me wearing very rare S&W Target stocks that are serialized to the gun but were added at a later date (1950 at the earliest).

 

[S.B.]

Interesting thread. thanx
Steve

 

[Green Frog]

S.B. We're compromising the intent of this thread... if you would like to discuss a conversion, you might start a thread new here or in the Smithing Forum, or you might revive my thread about Project 616 (you can find it with a search.)

Froggie

 

[g-dad]

The best I can come up with is also a 16-3 shipped July 1972.

 

[Gatorbaiter]

Here's my K-32, got nickel & gold sometime in the past!

 

[PMRet]

Here is my K-32 Masterpiece that shipped in January, 1956. Also pictured are my Model 16-4's circa 1989. These three are the most accurate, fun to shoot guns I own...

 

[littlerocknroller]

Found Germany

This my 16-2 which I found in Germany, where this gun was never really popular because of the many Walther GSP in .32 caliber. Later Hämmerli jumped on the train with it's model 240 which was available in that caliber. I think that the chances to find a model 16 on a dealers shelf were really small in our country. My 16-2 is K 486205 which dates it to 1962. Not the best looking, a few scratches and sign of use. But that's what these today rare birds were made for.

 

[RKmesa]

Here's a Narrow Ribbed one with a Micro Cockeyed Hammer.

 

[DWFAN]

My paltry example, sorry for the poor pics.
SN K58963. Generic box.




DW

 

[mikepriwer]

I've posted these pictures of K-32's in past threads, but it seems appropriate to add them to this thread. These next two pictures are the first post-WW2 K-32. Its a nickel-plated 6" revolver.

The next two pictures are two pre-WW2 6" K-32's, shipped as a pair to the Springfield MA PD. They were shipped with hump-back hammers and Roper stocks.

Next, we have two post-WW2 4" K-32's. One is a 5-screw, and the other is a 4-screw.

This next picture is a set of three K-32's. As can be seen, they are M&P's, not targets. They are from the 1949-1950 period. One is an S-serial number gun. The three barrel lengths are 2", 4", and 5".

Last, but what I think are the best, are two very very early 4" K-32's, from 1910. They were special-ordered as a pair by a shooter in St Louis; one was shipped to him and the other to another St Louis shooter. They are consecutively serial-numbered in the 32-20 series. They have all the same features; checkered triggers, Lyman bead front sights, etc.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[A10]

My K-32 is s/n K2244. It shipped March 10, 1948 to E. F. Warner, Publisher of Field and Stream Magazine in New York. The shipment to Mr. Warner also included K-38 Masterpiece K4639, .38/44 Outdoorsman S71794, and .357 Magnum S71352. Sure would be neat to have all four back together again!

The K-32 came to me wearing very rare S&W Target stocks that are serialized to the gun but were added at a later date (1950 at the earliest).

Wow, those grips are amazing! Are they profiled like the N frame Special Target grips? That grip spacer/filler is intriguing....

 

[g-dad]

I've posted these pictures of K-32's in past threads, but it seems appropriate to add them to this thread.

Mike, you may have posted these before but I haven't seen them. All I can say is awesome! Thank you for posting them again.