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

[JP@AK]

Well, around here we are always ready to help. And we learn a lot from each other. I'm glad you are here.
And I'm glad you finally saw the light and started accumulating S&W revolvers!
Jack

 

[KRUDEONE]

Thanks Jack,
I was just wondering about the M 14-K32- combat Masterpiece "no model no". If you type in the info on the Illussive gun it will take you to where the person who found one and had it papered and other info. If I understand it correctly the guy had it papered and Roy Jinks called the gun an altered barrel which leads me to believe they just cut off the bbl of the of a K-32 Masterpiece ? Hince, the other K model Combat masterpieces were probably made with a small demand for the 4'' bbl. and in 32 cal
Makes me wonder if there is truly a 14-k combat Masterpiece. I wonder why Roy Jinks didn't call the paper piece a combat but an altered barrel.I think I will ask some of the lucky owners if there gun states Combat Master piece. Even though the Paper I have List a Rare 14k-32 combat Masterpiece. Just makes me wonder.

 

[JP@AK]

I'm not sure what you are getting at. I find your question somewhat confusing. Like this part:

the M 14-K32- combat Masterpiece "no model no"

What does M 14 have to do with a K-32?
And this:

Makes me wonder if there is truly a 14-k combat Masterpiece.

If you mean Model 14 - it isn't a Combat Masterpiece at all. It is a K-38 Masterpiece.
Clearly the handful of K-32 Combat versions (4" barrels) were few in number, and may have simply been the K-32 with a shortened barrel (which seems to be what Roy was saying). But in the .38 caliber versions, there was a distinct difference. And in that case, the Combat Masterpiece was a very successful model in its own right. It was used extensively by police departments and the Model 15 version was eventually adopted by the Air Force as a standard sidearm. I carried one myself during my two tours in 'Nam. The AF purchased thousands of them.
So, I'm sorry, but I'm not understanding what your question is.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

Also, at the risk of confusing things further, let me point out that the model numbers and model names don't always refer to the same thing.
For example, you wrote:

the newly purchased K-22 Combat Masterpiece-model 18 1952

If it was made in 1952, it is not a Model 18. It is simply a .22 Combat Masterpiece. It is what would become the Model 18 in 1958, but it is not a Model number anything. Some refer to them as the "pre model 18" but I personally dislike this type of reference. S&W gave them names, that's what the catalog called them and I think that is what we should call them. After the directive of September, 1957, things changed. Model numbers were added, although the names remained. So after 1957, it is proper to refer to a gun as, for instance, a Model 15 Combat Masterpiece, or a Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece. The Instructions for Use paper that used to ship with these guns used this terminology, reflecting the position of the company. The guns continued to have names, but also carried model numbers.
I hope this helps your understanding of the guns you are now interested in.
Jack

 

[KRUDEONE]

I'm not sure what you are getting at. I find your question somewhat confusing. Like this part:
What does M 14 have to do with a K-32?
And this:

If you mean Model 14 - it isn't a Combat Masterpiece at all. It is a K-38 Masterpiece.
Clearly the handful of K-32 Combat versions (4" barrels) were few in number, and may have simply been the K-32 with a shortened barrel (which seems to be what Roy was saying). But in the .38 caliber versions, there was a distinct difference. And in that case, the Combat Masterpiece was a very successful model in its own right. It was used extensively by police departments and the Model 15 version was eventually adopted by the Air Force as a standard sidearm. I carried one myself during my two tours in 'Nam. The AF purchased thousands of them.
So, I'm sorry, but I'm not understanding what your question is.
Jack

What I was trying to say is by the old forum post taking only the K32 combat masterpiece into consideration that I think the K32 combat masterpiece was a cut down barrel of the k32 masterpiece at the factory and the 4'' barrel was not factory made at that time due to such a small demand for the K32 And of course I could be perfectly wrong
wrong.

 

[KRUDEONE]

Also, at the risk of confusing things further, let me point out that the model numbers and model names don't always refer to the same thing.
For example, you wrote:

If it was made in 1952, it is not a Model 18. It is simply a .22 Combat Masterpiece. It is what would become the Model 18 in 1958, but it is not a Model number anything. Some refer to them as the "pre model 18" but I personally dislike this type of reference. S&W gave them names, that's what the catalog called them and I think that is what we should call them. After the directive of September, 1957, things changed. Model numbers were added, although the names remained. So after 1957, it is proper to refer to a gun as, for instance, a Model 15 Combat Masterpiece, or a Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece. The Instructions for Use paper that used to ship with these guns used this terminology, reflecting the position of the company. The guns continued to have names, but also carried model numbers.
I hope this helps your understanding of the guns you are now interested in.
Jack

Thanks Jack,

The S&W paper doesn't give dates just stated K-22 Masterpiece-Model 18 from my previous papered gun.
I will have the have the 22 combat masterpiece papered and I'm sure that will reflect what you said. Thanks for the info,

Al