S&W Pre 16 K32

[jmanrogers]

First of all, let me start off by mentioning that I am NEW to the S&W Forums. I am a member of MANY other forum sites and welcome any and all input on what I am about to present.

I have found a S&W Pre 16 K32 for sale from a local guy who knows about guns. He is aware of what he has, but he is negotiable on pricing. Here are the facts:

He does not have the box and paperwork.
He is not the original owner, but he has had it for a couple of years.
He has no idea how much its been shot.
Its a five screw.
He rates it at 95 %, as most S&W collectors would also.
There's no rust or holster wear, save a small amount of slight muzzle wear.
The bore and cylinder are bright and shiney.
No cracks or chips in the grips.


He is asking $2500, but I think I can get him down to $2250 or so.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[mikepriwer]

This gun falls into the "scarce" category, but the factory made a lot of
them. Like several thousand, post WW2 . They are not rare, but
most folks who own them do not want to sell them, so they are scarce.

It is the case that, at auction, these gun will bring a good price. To
me, considering everything, that doesn't mean that they are worth
that, but they bring a good price. I don't see anything that special
about them. The only difference between them and K-38's is the
chambering, so why should that command such a premium ? My
intuition is that if push ever came to shove, and money became tight,
the K-32's would fall in price, probably quite a bit.

If you, or anyone, really wants one, then price is not an issue, and you
simply pay what is being asked. You then have one, and that is that.

On the other hand, if the question is about value, then it becomes a
lot more subjective. For me, for a 5-screw 95% K-32, $2000 would be
tops, assuming it has nothing special in it provenance.

So then you say - $2000 vs $2250 ; is that such a big deal ? And the
answer is No- its not a big deal. its just $250 !

There are some who will say that one can not pay too much, only pay
that much too soon. There is truth in that, but if if its only a couple
hundred bucks, why lose sleep over it ?

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the forum.

I'm with Mike. If you want it, buy it. If you can get the seller to knock off a couple of hundred, that's fine, but if you can't that's fine too.

A couple of variables to look out for:

A number of 5-screw Masterpieces (all calibers) are wearing incorrectly numbered stocks. Check the grips to see if they number to the gun. I'm not sure that consistency increases the value of the piece, but if they do number on this gun it might make you feel better about buying it if you can't get the further markdown you are hoping for.

Some K-32 collectors attribute a little additional value to lower serial numbers -- the so-called narrow-rib guns produced before weight was standardized in the Masterpiece lineup. If the gun has a K+five digit number, and in particular one below K75000 or so, that might make it slightly more appealing to collectors.

There are virgin K-32 boxes around if you want to pick one up. It won't be the one that came with the gun, but it will be of contemporary manufacture. Figure another $150-200 for that if the box is important to you.

I think $2500 is an OK price for the gun as described. I have two that I paid nearly $3000 apiece for; they have serial numbers in the K60000 range (only a few specimens known with lower numbers), come with boxes (one original and one replacement), and are in slightly better condition (I go back and forth on percentages, but today I think both are at least 98% guns). One came with stocks that were originally on some other gun.

The number of postwar K-32 Masterpieces produced (both pre-16 and 16, but excluding the reintroduced and somewhat different 16-4) comes to 3,630. I don't think I would consider that "several thousand," but it's not a vanishingly small number either. There is a downside potential to the value of these guns, as is the case with almost any collectible in which there is a potential mismatch between availability and demand. I don't think K-32s are a bubble investment in the class of tulipmania, but I could see them dropping a chunk of their value if fads realign themselves or a truly major economic or regulatory catastrophe develops in a way that shrinks the collector's market.

 

[PMRet]

I am a big fan of the .32 cartridge, and own several S&W handguns chambered in that caliber, such as the 631, 632, 16-4, etc. I do not own a K-32 because of the price. Looking at it from a practical standpoint, I can probably buy three 16-4's LNIB for the price of one K-32 in 95% condition with no accessories. Plus, the 16-4 gives me the option of shooting .32 long or .32 magnum ammunition. Then again, I'm more of a shooter than a collector. And, many of us who frequent this forum do things that aren't practical on a regular basis.

To be perfectly honest, l would love to own a K-32, and watch for them on the auction sites in the futile hope of someday finding one that no one else notices. There are two listed right now, one with a $1500 bid reserve not met, and one with a $2500 minimum and no bids. Both have been there for a while. I've seen them sell for anywhere from around $2400 to $3400 depending on condition and accessories. Sounds like you may be able to negotiate a little South of that, so go for it.

 

[bigmoose]

I love being a fly on the wall during these types of discussions. Thanks guys, for spending the time to put these issues into perspective. The thoughts expressed in the above posts can be a useful tool when having to make a decision about a purchase where you may be parting with more $$ than you would otherwise be comfortable with.
Cap

 

[Rawhyde]

I would really like to have a K-32 whether it's a pre-16 or any other version. I regularly shoot K-22's and K-38's and really enjoy them. I expect that the K-32 would be a tremendous amount of fun to shoot. There's just some urge I have to "complete a set" that makes me want one.

The sad reality is that if I had one, I'd probably take it shooting only once or twice if it was a shooter grade and never shoot it if it was collector grade. I have a NIB 16-4 that I've never shot. If I ever find a shooter grade 16-4 for a reasonable price, I'd shoot that one.

I just don't like shooting rare old guns that are pristine. I have a K-22 from 1955, a .22 Combat Masterpiece from the early 70's, a .38 CM from the same era, and a Nickel Python Target .38 that are all NIB and unfired collecting dust in my safe.

 

[4-Screw]

Agree with Mike....good, sound advice.

 

[glenncal1]

Price seems to be ballpark for what these guns bring. Check some of the GB completed auctions.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

The person selling that gun is lowriderfxr who as anyone on this forum will tell you is a top flight person to deal with. If he says the gun is 95% you can count on it being closer to 99%. Deal with Many with confidence

 

[lowriderfxr]

A couple of points. The revolver will not be sold below 2500.00. Before I would do that I would send it to a well known Gunbroker seller and almost certainly receive more even after his modest commission.

The stocks are numbered to the revolver.

 

[lowriderfxr]

Gary, thanks for the kind words, my friend.

 

[jmanrogers]

THANKS!! THANKS!! THANKS!! For all your sound advice. That's why I came over to the S&W forum, because I am not a expert in S&W firearms. However, it appears that 'lowriderfxr" BUSTED me, as I was seeking info on his pistol. LOL I will bide my time and just wait for something to come along some day. When I do, I will be sure to share with everyone. Thanks "lowriderfxr" for sharing your pistol with everyone, and I'm sure it will find a GOOD home.

THANKS AGAIN to EVERYONE who responded,
SGT JMAN

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

THANKS!! THANKS!! THANKS!! For all your sound advice. That's why I came over to the S&W forum, because I am not a expert in S&W firearms. However, it appears that 'lowriderfxr" BUSTED me, as I was seeking info on his pistol. LOL I will bide my time and just wait for something to come along some day. When I do, I will be sure to share with everyone. Thanks "lowriderfxr" for sharing your pistol with everyone, and I'm sure it will find a GOOD home.

THANKS AGAIN to EVERYONE who responded,
SGT JMAN

Well don't leave amigo-it's pretty fun here, not as wild and wooly as the other forums, but still one of the best.

 

[jmanrogers]

Well don't leave amigo-it's pretty fun here, not as wild and wooly as the other forums, but still one of the best.

Thanks CAJUNLAWYER!! I see you on the other one and although I have a lot to learn about S&W pistols, this is the best place. I'm sure I will have more questions and SOON!!

 

[zywina]

What's nicer to hold a beautiful gun you always wanted or $250 in green backs? I know where I would be in that situation, do you? It will appreciate more than almost any investment right now,think how the 38/44's are going! I am sure your coveted K-32 will out do them! goodluck! Dale Z!

 

[X18Z]

Last picture not too good.

Here is a better picture of the inside of the box and while I'm at it the K-22 and K-38 I bought.

 

[Smithhound]

Having been lucky enough to have bought a NIB 4" 24-3 from LowriderFX a few years ago I can tell you he is top notch, you can take him at his word.
Having said that, if I had the cash to spare I wouldn't wait a second to hand over $2500 for that gun. It will never go down in value and 10 years from now will seem like a bargain.
You just will not run across K32's every day, if you want this one, jump on it and don't look back
RD

 

[Hammerdown]

THANKS!! THANKS!! THANKS!! For all your sound advice. That's why I came over to the S&W forum, because I am not a expert in S&W firearms. I will bide my time and just wait for something to come along some day. When I do, I will be sure to share with everyone. THANKS AGAIN to EVERYONE who responded,
SGT JMAN

Hello jmanrogers
The Elusive K-32 is a strong focal point of any serious S&W collectors find. As Mike has said they are not rare, but scarce. With less than 4000 of them being made from 1948-1974 any K-32 is a great find. I Lusted long and hard over one and have hunted them for better than 25 Years to no avail of what I was inclined to invest in one. I have always wondered how many of the Post-War Pre-16's were actually produced, but have not seen any solid figures of their total production. The early Post-War thin barrel models are Very hard to find, as they were only produced from 1948-1950 time span roughly but equally as hard to locate are the wide rib Pre-16's as they were made from 1950-1957 time span. In years past I have seen them priced from $2000.00 to $3500.00 area, ranging in condition from N.I.B. for the higher priced ones to slightly worn examples on the lower side of the quoted price here.




I Lucked into one a few years ago, that a Guy had and he simply called it a K-32. I asked if he was inclined to sell it, but he said that he was not ready to let it go. I kept the contact with him for almost two full years, before he decided that his beloved K-32 was going to someone that would really appreciate it and never get rid of it. I found that he liked Target sighted K-Frame revolver's during our two year time span, so I offered him a Hard to locate Dayton outdoor Sport's Revolver that I came into at a gun show by swapping with a guy. I had swapped a N.I.B. Hong Kong Police Blued M&P with a 4" Barrel for this Dayton Outdoor Sport's revolver, as the owner of it did not care for Nickel finishes. I had an Investment of $300.00 in the Hong Kong Police M&P so that was the actual cash value I had in the Dayton Outdoor Sport's revolver which was one of 1067 Made.





These Dayton Outdoor Sport's revolver were special ordered through S&W back in 1965. They were to have a 4" Heavy Barrel placed on them and to be stamped Model 14-2's. Other than the hard to locate Air Force shooting Team Model 14's that also had a 4" Barrel one, these were the only guns to get a Model 14 stamp on with a barrel shorter than the standard model 14's 6" Configuration and differed by being the heavy style barrels. They were made from 1965-1968 in Three reserved serial number banks at that time. As Dayton Outdoor sports needed more of them, S&W would build them and ship them out as they were indeed special built revolver's.




Later I came across a S&W Model 34-1 which is the J-Frame sized Target sighted .22 revolver. This one had the 2" Snub barrel and was blued. I gave $300.00 for it at a gun show. I showed it to the previous owner of my Pre-16 and he lusted for it, so I offered him Two guns for one being the Dayton Outdoor Sport's revolver along with this Model 34-1. He decided to let me have the K-32 and the Night before he sent it, he sent me some pictures of it. I then discovered it was not just a K-32 it was a Five screw variation Pre-16 K-32. Now I was real excited about this swap. He shipped his gun and I shipped my Two to his FFL dealer and the rest is history. Shown below is my Pre-16 Five screw variation K-32 that shipped in April 1951. It came with Magnas on it, but I elected to change them out for the set of diamond Target stocks that are shown on it. Also are the two Guns I traded for it Being the Dayton Outdoor Sport's revolver with an Original add for them, along with the Model 34-1 revolver.




In essence the K-32 had been fired very lightly when it came to me he claimed it to have been shot less than 100 rounds while he had it since new, so it had been used and had some very Light handling marks on it, but for a cash Investment of $600.00 In the Pair I swapped him I am Very, Very Pleased with my trade and would never consider Parting with it as other's have said these do not come along often, and I certainly got a Gift given to me as far as what I had in the two that I traded for it I have simply twice the amount of what the sales tax should have been for a gun of this Magnitude....







The Dayton Outdoor Sports revolver

The Model 34-1

The K-32 Masterpiece

 

[linde]

These Dayton Outdoor Sport's revolver were special ordered through S&W back in 1965. They were to have a 4" Heavy Barrel placed on them and to be stamped Model 14-2's. Other than the hard to locate Air Force shooting Team Model 14's that also had a 4" Barrel one, these were the only guns to get a Model 14 stamp on with a barrel shorter than the standard model 14's 6" Configuration and differed by being the heavy style barrels.

Actually there were Model 14s with 4" heavy barrels, but with factory standard K-38 6" barrels cut to 4" with the Baughman ramp front sight pinned to the barrel rib. I have two that both letter as factory 4" Model 14-3s that were shipped to two different S&W dealers . . . one in California and one in Texas.

Sorry for the diversion from the great K-32 discussion but wanted to share.

Russ

 

[Joe Kent]

After following this thread, my advice would be to buy it if you wanted it. Knowing the seller, assures you of getting a quality piece. I know I would not sell mine at that price. All my best, and Welcome to the best forum on the net. Joe.