Newbe from Ky, Need Help info on S&W modle 16-3

[murphydog]

The best answer you'll probably get on late model 16-3 production - not many!

Nice model 14s (K-38) and 17s (K-22) of this era would be in the $500 range each; the K-22s are more expensive because they are cheap to shoot. Most collectors of these guns have the .22 and .38 and struggle to find the .32, so you are ahead of the game .

 

[KRUDEONE]

Hey Murphydog,

Thanks for the info. After reading more I guess there are 3,630 of the K-32 mod 16 series. For some reason I thought that was the total of the whole masterpiece K models.
The K- 22 combat Masterpiece must be another thing, K-22-Model 18, K-38-combat masterpiece-Model 15 and K-32 combat Masterpiece-(no model number) must be another total amount.
If I'm reading the certificate right? It would be nice to have all 6.
I Think I'm going to try to acquire the K-22 And K-38, If I can find them in the first same weight year from 50's + up to and no later than 73.

I'm also going to look at the Combat Masterpiece's to see how hard it is to find them.
I can't figure out how to send the S&W Paper on my gun that Is legiable. I lucked up on the K-model 16-32 .

Thanks Buddy

 

[murphydog]

Correct, there were only 3,360 K-32s/model 16s made. I don't know if the factory (or more accurately, Roy Jinks) knows how many K-22s and K-38s have been made, but they must total several hundred thousand (!).

The 6" revolvers were named the Masterpieces, and the 4" (.22 and .38) the Combat Masterpieces. Perhaps the theory was no one would take a 6" barreled revolver into combat?

Nice examples of the model 15 and 18 will also be in the $500 range, with the .22s being a little higher as with the 6" guns.

 

[KRUDEONE]

Thanks again, i have been doing a little research looks like the 32 combat masterpiece will be hard to find and even harder to pay for if I'm correct.


Al

 

[KRUDEONE]

Hey Murphydog,

What do you think would be the most compatable K-22,masterpeice & 38 K-mp if you were adding the other 2 to the 1972 K-32 M-16 ? Are is condition everything. I'm thinking of getting as close to the year as I can to my M-16 year?
I've got the bug. Thanks also a Alan

 

[murphydog]

The 6" 14-3 and 17-3 would be of the same era. The SNs that were supposed to have shipped in 1972 are the later 2K, the later 3K and early 4K and 5K prefixes.

 

[Smithhound]

After reading this post I had to go outside and beat my head against the brickwork on my house...now that the stars have stopped whizzing around I must say:
Nice find.
That of course is an understatement about equal to the incredibly low price you paid for that gun. Even with the rust on the hammer it's just incredible. I've been searching for one for years and loath to pay the price's asked (my own fault I know), and once again someone comes up with one out of the blue for next to nothing. Incredible.
Seriously, congratulations, you've lucked into what most of us consider a grail gun, you should at least buy Her dinner somewhere or cough up a bonus of some sort.
Wow.
RD

 

[KRUDEONE]

I sure did luck up. The hammer is in I'd say perfect condition 100% Just some oil actually ,I'd say the most perfect part of the gun. Bad photo with glare. New at this.

Looks like I'll be in the same position trying to find the 32 masterpiece combat. Looks like I'll be looking to find hens' teeth with a gold price tag.

Al

 

[KRUDEONE]

Thanks buddy, I'm on the hunt. Looking for 90+

Al

 

[KRUDEONE]

Hi Men,need some help again. The lady who sold me the model 16-k 32 just sold me what I think is the model k combat 22. The concern I have is the number inside on the frame is M is above the number 46511 and at the bottom is the no.5. The number on the bottom of the stock is K 1654XX There is also a number scratched on the bottom that is either a Social Security no or perhaps a service no. very vague 308-42-00XX tell me I did good? Not as good condition as the K-16 but in good condition. Looks closer to black than blue, quite a bit of honest wear near the end of the barrel and at the the enjector plunger. so I suspect this gun was enjoyed quite a bit. Any help is greatly appreciated. Al

 

[KRUDEONE]

Model 18 Combat Masterpiece k-22

Nice find.
As many stated, it's a grail gun for many, including me. It would be a keeper if I were you.

Enjoy!

Hi Micky D,
I see you are on line. I've been bitten by the S&W bug and I'm going to collect (try) to collect all of the 14,15,16, 17 18 and the Illusive 14k-32 combat masterpiece.
I have the K16 as you know and have purchased the Combat Masterpiece-Model 18. from the same lady and at the same price. I have been researching for an approx .price but most were years ago @ around $500. I have only found one on a large auction site with 5days to go with 45+ bids already. That is close to my M18 1952.As you know gun prices are crazy now what do you think a 90 ? would be approx worth with original holster be.
They are harder to find than I thought. I'm considering papering this gun also since it has a very vague Social Security no, scratched on the bottom just below the K. Just in case it was special order from the factory. the ss number is in the 3 so I know the person who owned it is probably passed away. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Al
Mine sweep sailor USS ILLUSIVE MSO 448 early 70's

 

[KRUDEONE]

Anyone on line M 18 combat Masterpiece question

located on the Newbe from ky needs help posted to Micky D any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated on this thread or others.

SAILOR ON

MINE SWEEPER USS ILLUSSIVE MSO 448 EARLY 70'S ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE ?

 

[JP@AK]

Maybe I'm mistaken here, but the OP seems to me a little bit confused about the K-38/32/22 series of revolvers - Combat Masterpiece v. Masterpiece. So here is a breakdown:

The Combat Masterpiece always had 4" barrels (with the exception of some 2" Model 15s):
.22 Combat Masterpiece - Model 18
.38 Combat Masterpiece - Model 15
.32 Combat Masterpiece - No model number ever issued

.22 Masterpiece - Model 17
.38 Masterpiece - Model 14
.32 Masterpiece - Model 16

The gun in the photos has a 6" barrel. It was therefore a Masterpiece (same gun as the Model 14, but with different chambering, not the same as the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece).

I hope this clears things up.

Jack

 

[JP@AK]

I also suspect the 16 was stamped over a model 15 instead a 14.

Curious. Why do you suspect this? The flat frame top just behind the barrel says Model 14. As you now know, there were very few .32 Combat versions built.

By the way, congratulations on finding a gun that most of us are never likely to find at a price we can afford - let alone a measly $150! Good for you!

Jack

 

[KRUDEONE]

K-22 combat masterpiece-Model 18

Maybe I'm mistaken here, but the OP seems to me a little bit confused about the K-38/32/22 series of revolvers - Combat Masterpiece v. Masterpiece. So here is a breakdown:

The Combat Masterpiece always had 4" barrels (with the exception of some 2" Model 15s):
.22 Combat Masterpiece - Model 18
.38 Combat Masterpiece - Model 15
.32 Combat Masterpiece - No model number ever issued

.22 Masterpiece - Model 17
.38 Masterpiece - Model 14
.32 Masterpiece - Model 16

The gun in the photos has a 6" barrel. It was therefore a Masterpiece (same gun as the Model 14, but with different chambering, not the same as the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece).

I hope this clears things up.

Jack

Hi Jack,

I may have confused things by you not understanding that I just purchased the K-22 combat masterpiece-Model 18 with 4'' bbl. 1952 date by serial no. from the same lady for the same price. thanks for your input

 

[KRUDEONE]

the reason I think the 16 was stamped over a 15

Curious. Why do you suspect this? The flat frame top just behind the barrel says Model 14. As you now know, there were very few .32 Combat versions built.

By the way, congratulations on finding a gun that most of us are never likely to find at a price we can afford - let alone a measly $150! Good for you!

Jack

Hi Jack,
From my S&W paper from Roy G. Jinks: " Smith & Wesson over stamped both model 14 & Model 15 frames in completing Model 16 as they produced so few frame for just the model16."

I looked closely at the stamp 16 under a magnifying glass it is not as obvious as 16 over 14 as seen in PMRET photos. It even looks like just a 16 but only a 5 could have made the match so close IMHO. Look at the frame again closely and tell me your opinion of why it's a stamped over14 instead of a 15

Thanks for you in put. And you are certainly right about the rare K-32 Combat Masterpiece-"no model no." according to Roy Jinks The K-32 combat MP was discontinued before it was ever advertised. Some luck guy found one kinda like I did the K-32.and some older post show some lucky guy that has 2 pictured here on an old S&W forum orderd directly from the factory if memory serves me right. Thanks Al

 

[KRUDEONE]

K-32 combat Masterpiece

Curious. Why do you suspect this? The flat frame top just behind the barrel says Model 14. As you now know, there were very few .32 Combat versions built.

By the way, congratulations on finding a gun that most of us are never likely to find at a price we can afford - let alone a measly $150! Good for you!

Jack

If I understand it correctly the K-32 masterpiece 6'' bbl was cut down to 4'' at the S&W factory at the request of customers asking for a 4'' bbl creating the K-32 combat Masterpiece ?

 

[JP@AK]

Hi Jack,
From my S&W paper from Roy G. Jinks: " Smith & Wesson over stamped both model 14 & Model 15 frames in completing Model 16 as they produced so few frame for just the model 16."

I looked closely at the stamp 16 under a magnifying glass it is not as obvious as 16 over 14 as seen in PMRET photos. It even looks like just a 16 but only a 5 could have made the match so close IMHO. Look at the frame again closely and tell me your opinion of why it's a stamped over14 instead of a 15.

What I was talking about was the front corner of the frame, just before where the barrel mates to it. The Model 15 had a bevel that came down at about a 45 degree angle that the Model 14 did not have (except in a few instances of early K-38 Masterpieces that shipped with 4" barrels. I've been told some of those had the bevel as well. But those would have been long gone by 1958, when they started stamping model numbers). I could not see the bevel in your photo. I'll post a couple pics in a minute, so you can judge for yourself. That said, who knows what some fitter may have stamped in the yoke area, before it was over-struck with the 6. It certainly could have been a 14 frame that was stamped with a 15.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

Here are pics of a 15 and a 14. The difference is subtle, but real.

 

[KRUDEONE]

Hi Jack,
I do see the subtle difference and I was only going by the stamp 16. Amazing of the knowledge here. And I do appreciate all the effort and info you gave to a newbe just learning about the S&W. Actually the first S&W I ever owner was the K-32 ,M 16 Masterpiece and the newly purchased K-22 Combat Masterpiece-model 18 1952. Kinda fell out with S&W during the clinton years but now I'm hooked. Was mostly a Ruger & Colt fan and antique rifles. Jack you are greatly appreciated.