Masterpiece Series ???

[jeed]

I was poking around on the forum earlier today and ran across a thread about the Masterpiece series. It has always been my understanding the use of Target/Combat Masterpiece terms were correct, the thread stated the contrary - All were known as the K-22, K-32, K-38 Masterpiece. My thoughts were; 6" Patridge front sight = Target Masterpiece, 2" or 4" ramp front sight = Combat Masterpiece. What is CORRECT and is there a CORRECT?

Also, is the model 19 a part of the Masterpiece series? I thought it was, but......

I've included my series....the first pic was my first S & W - given to me by my father for high school graduation in 1980. Mod 19-3 Combat Magnum. Over the years I've added Models 14-3, 15-3, 17-3. I had to settle for a pre 18, it was too nice to pass up. All are standard hammer & trigger. I'm still looking for the K-32 (-3) but my hopes are not too high $$$.

 

[semperfi71]

I cannot answer the questions except I don't think the M-19 series was ever referred to as "Masterpiece".

However you have an excellent start for a S&W collection. The Pre-18 is great.

 

[murphydog]

I was poking around on the forum earlier today and ran across a thread about the Masterpiece series. It has always been my understanding the use of Target/Combat Masterpiece terms were correct, the thread stated the contrary - All were known as the K-22, K-32, K-38 Masterpiece. My thoughts were; 6" Patridge front sight = Target Masterpiece, 2" or 4" ramp front sight = Combat Masterpiece. What is CORRECT and is there a CORRECT?

Also, is the model 19 a part of the Masterpiece series? I thought it was, but......

I believe the thread to which you are referring stated the factory never used the term "Target Masterpiece". The older 6" barrel guns with target sights are Masterpieces and may have the wide (target) hammer and trigger, and as you noted the 2 and 4" barrel guns are Combat Masterpieces. The model 19 was originally named the Combat Magnum and isn't considered part of this series although it is very similar.

 

[Alk8944]

The term "Masterpiece" refers to only six specific models, the .22, .32, and .38 "Target Masterpiece" guns, and the .22, .32, and .38 "Combat Masterpiece" guns.

"Masterpiece" is simply the appellation assigned by the factory to designate what they intended to portray as the ultimate development of the types. It has nothing to do with sights, stocks or other peripherals.

In the target revolvers it originally designated the change to the wide-ribbed, heavy, straight tapered barrel version of the earlier model. This occurred in 1948. At the time these were only available in 6".

In the "Combat Masterpiece" revolvers it designated the change to the ribbed barrel and adjustable sights for what would earlier have been designated as the M&P Target meaning a target sighted M&P. That was also introduced in 1948 as a strictly 4" gun.

And before anyone says anything about a .32 Combat Masterpiece never being made, that is not true. They are extremely rare, but they do exist.

Finally, I believe Murphydog is absolutely correct. The proper model designations, using the .38 as the example, were "K-38 Masterpiece" and ".38 Combat Masterpiece". It was only after people started referring to the Combat Masterpiece as K-38 Combat Masterpiece, incorrectly BTW, that the "Target Masterpiece" reference came into being to clarify which was being referred to. Yes, they are both K frame guns, and yes, they are both .38 Special, but only the revolver intended for target competition is properly called the "K-38 Masterpiece". Years ago, before the Internet and these forums, if you said you had a K-38 no one would have had the least question that you were referring to the 6" target gun, and we wouldn't be having this discussion! Likewise, if you said you had a "Combat Masterpiece" no one would question what gun you had, it would have been a .38. If you were referring to a .22 CM you would have said "I have a .22 Combat Masterpiece", or .32. Different times and different people.

 

[moralem]

Date of manufacture K38 Combat Masterpiece

I am looking at model K 38 and looking to get a sense as to its date of manufacture. Serial partial is K3844XX. Thanks.

 

[Alk8944]

I am looking at model K 38 and looking to get a sense as to its date of manufacture. Serial partial is K3844XX. Thanks.

'Bout 1955, maybe '56.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I was poking around on the forum earlier today and ran across a thread about the Masterpiece series. It has always been my understanding the use of Target/Combat Masterpiece terms were correct, the thread stated the contrary - All were known as the K-22, K-32, K-38 Masterpiece. My thoughts were; 6" Patridge front sight = Target Masterpiece, 2" or 4" ramp front sight = Combat Masterpiece. What is CORRECT and is there a CORRECT?

Also, is the model 19 a part of the Masterpiece series? I thought it was, but......

I've included my series....the first pic was my first S & W - given to me by my father for high school graduation in 1980. Mod 19-3 Combat Magnum. Over the years I've added Models 14-3, 15-3, 17-3. I had to settle for a pre 18, it was too nice to pass up. All are standard hammer & trigger. I'm still looking for the K-32 (-3) but my hopes are not too high $$$.View attachment 20053

The answer is not that simple. Originally, in the late 40s, there was the Masterpiece and the Combat Masterpiece, then in the early 50s, the Heavy Masterpiece (wider rib on the barrel) joined the other two, and all three were in the line for a short time.

The Masterpiece was generally 6 inch, but there were some 4 inch ones and some 5 inch ones. The Combat Masterpiece was generally 2 or 4 inch, but there were some 5 inch ones.

This is a short answer to a very complex question in the collecting world, but the answer also changes with time. The Masterpiece was later called the Model 14 and the Combat Masterpiece the Model 15, but later all barrels were offered as Model 15s. Some other barrel lengths were offered as Model 14s.

The Model 19 was called the Combat Magnum, and was not part of the Masterpiece series.

Usually, Masterpieces (14s) had Patridge sights, but not always, especially the 4 inch ones. Combats (15s) usually had Baughman Ramp sights, but not always.

I do not recall factory literature ever using the term "Target Masterpiece." I went back and looked at a period ad, and it used K38 Masterpiece (for the tapered barrels) or K38 Heavy Masterpiece (for the straight walled barrel).

The "Heavy" got dropped from the name after the original tapered barrel Masterpieces were finally discontinued.

Combat Masterpiece was the name given to the 5 inch Missouri tapered barrel variation in 1952, while the 5 inch Illinois State Police variation was referred to as a K38 Masterpiece.

Then there was the 4 inch really heavy barrel, ramp sighted Hanen Special, which was a K38, not a Combat Masterpiece. . . .

Sorry for the confusion, but entire articles have been written. . . .