Engine49guy
You make my safe seem so . . . . . . . . empty.
You make my safe seem so . . . . . . . . empty.
Some Combat Masterpiece eye candy
- Thread starter Engine49guy
- Start date
Man.....you need help!
Oh, I don't know about that. Looks like he's doing just fine all by himself!
. But, he might like some monetary help, if that's what you were referring to!
OP
Engine49guy
Member
Yes , Mr MAckee says "Hoarding is bad and people who hoard are Bad Unnn kay "
Then again collecting keeps me outta trouble usually .
Thought might be fun to take a closer look at them individually to detail the models evolution .
Then again collecting keeps me outta trouble usually .
Thought might be fun to take a closer look at them individually to detail the models evolution .
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OP
Engine49guy
Member
The Combat Masterpiece was introduced in 1949
Basicly a shorter version of the tapered barrel matte blue 6" Masterpiece replacing the Patridge with a Baughman FS and offered in .22 LR, .32 S&W Long and .38 Special calibers.
This is a fairly early example at serial K94566 that shipped in October 1950 with common early features such as matte blue finish, 6 groove tangs, "High Speed" or Fishhook hammer, "High Shoulder" diamond Magnas.
Note the Large Ampersand and blind FS pins through the barrel rib polished flush.
Basicly a shorter version of the tapered barrel matte blue 6" Masterpiece replacing the Patridge with a Baughman FS and offered in .22 LR, .32 S&W Long and .38 Special calibers.
This is a fairly early example at serial K94566 that shipped in October 1950 with common early features such as matte blue finish, 6 groove tangs, "High Speed" or Fishhook hammer, "High Shoulder" diamond Magnas.
Note the Large Ampersand and blind FS pins through the barrel rib polished flush.
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OP
Engine49guy
Member
Moving forward in time two years to 1952
And this 1952 K22 Combat Masterpiece ,
(note the K22 shorter FS blade and "Finnials" that flank the barrel rollstamp)
serial K132838 that shipped around April 1952
Same matte blue finish 5 screw frame with 6 groove tangs, flush FS ramp pins, High Speed hammer ,
large Ampersands and high shoulder Magnas
6 groove tangs
What has changed is the grip medallions ,
Instead of the traditional nickel plated brass are suddenly now made of grey plastic ,
IIRC these seem to appear near the K130,000 range and disappear around the K165000 rang .
And this 1952 K22 Combat Masterpiece ,
(note the K22 shorter FS blade and "Finnials" that flank the barrel rollstamp)
serial K132838 that shipped around April 1952
Same matte blue finish 5 screw frame with 6 groove tangs, flush FS ramp pins, High Speed hammer ,
large Ampersands and high shoulder Magnas
6 groove tangs
What has changed is the grip medallions ,
Instead of the traditional nickel plated brass are suddenly now made of grey plastic ,
IIRC these seem to appear near the K130,000 range and disappear around the K165000 rang .
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OP
Engine49guy
Member
Its 1953 and the Corvette is born
And so is this 1953 K38 serial K195134,
Appears to be the same 5 screw frame in matte blue with High speed hammer,
Closer inspection reveals this example has the "proud" style front site pins that seem to come and go until the practice of pinning the ramp to the barrel is discontinued years later .
Also different roll stamp fonts and smaller ampersands,
the change from the high sharp shoulder diamond Magna to the tapered shoulder style that continues until the end of the diamond era,
Last is a bit hard to see from the pics but the grip medallion that changed from nickel brass to plastic has now changed to bare steel and will stick to a magnet.
And so is this 1953 K38 serial K195134,
Appears to be the same 5 screw frame in matte blue with High speed hammer,
Closer inspection reveals this example has the "proud" style front site pins that seem to come and go until the practice of pinning the ramp to the barrel is discontinued years later .
Also different roll stamp fonts and smaller ampersands,
the change from the high sharp shoulder diamond Magna to the tapered shoulder style that continues until the end of the diamond era,
Last is a bit hard to see from the pics but the grip medallion that changed from nickel brass to plastic has now changed to bare steel and will stick to a magnet.
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OP
Engine49guy
Member
The previous examples take us from CM introduction in 1949 to 1953 and thats where I want to take a brief pause,
1954 is a pretty neat time in the USA and for S&W collectors big changes are about to begin.
Although WWII "The "Big One" ended 9 years ago the Korean conflict has only just ended July 1953 , Prosperity and a flourishing economy means new jobs, new homes, new cars and more wealth and general leisure time.
For S&W this new found American prosperity was likely reflected in escalating sales as many new models were about to be introduced in the next few years .
Just prior to WWII when choosing a .38 special S&W 4" service revolver it meant either the fixed site M&P ,the 38/44 or the pricey Reg Mag in .357.
In 1949 the adjustable site matte blue K38 Combat Masterpiece became a regular cataloged item but for the beat cop wanting a bit more power on a budget the pre 27 was still alot of money,
Combining the matt blue finish of the 4" Combat Masterpiece with N frame Pre 27 (The .357 Magnum) a new Model was introduced that would become hit.
The date is April 15 1954 and the new Model was the 5 screw N frame .357 "Highway Patrolman" (AKA pre Model 28) shown here with its smaller sibling Combat Masterpiece serial K204445 also of 1954 vintage .
Little changes to the 54 CM model from the 53 except for the Ampersands and a change back to nickel plated brass grip medallions.
1954 is a pretty neat time in the USA and for S&W collectors big changes are about to begin.
Although WWII "The "Big One" ended 9 years ago the Korean conflict has only just ended July 1953 , Prosperity and a flourishing economy means new jobs, new homes, new cars and more wealth and general leisure time.
For S&W this new found American prosperity was likely reflected in escalating sales as many new models were about to be introduced in the next few years .
Just prior to WWII when choosing a .38 special S&W 4" service revolver it meant either the fixed site M&P ,the 38/44 or the pricey Reg Mag in .357.
In 1949 the adjustable site matte blue K38 Combat Masterpiece became a regular cataloged item but for the beat cop wanting a bit more power on a budget the pre 27 was still alot of money,
Combining the matt blue finish of the 4" Combat Masterpiece with N frame Pre 27 (The .357 Magnum) a new Model was introduced that would become hit.
The date is April 15 1954 and the new Model was the 5 screw N frame .357 "Highway Patrolman" (AKA pre Model 28) shown here with its smaller sibling Combat Masterpiece serial K204445 also of 1954 vintage .
Little changes to the 54 CM model from the 53 except for the Ampersands and a change back to nickel plated brass grip medallions.
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OP
Engine49guy
Member
By 1955 The 6" wide rib Masterpieces that first appeared in the 1950 All Model circular supplementing the tapered barrel versions have totally supplanted them,
Interesting because the 4" cm and 6" Tapered Masterpiece had the same frame styling that mate to their narrow barrel rib where the 6" and 4" continue now with different frame and barrel styles.
The 1955 K22 Combat Masterpiece serial K246498 continued as a 5 screw frame with 6 groove tangs and High Speed hammer but now standard in high polish "Bright Blue" instead of the older matte blue.
slight changes again to the ampersand
Interesting because the 4" cm and 6" Tapered Masterpiece had the same frame styling that mate to their narrow barrel rib where the 6" and 4" continue now with different frame and barrel styles.
The 1955 K22 Combat Masterpiece serial K246498 continued as a 5 screw frame with 6 groove tangs and High Speed hammer but now standard in high polish "Bright Blue" instead of the older matte blue.
slight changes again to the ampersand
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Or perhaps a Christmas tree for 4" S&W Combat Masterpiece fanatics ?
Enjoy !
Sir, you need another 67 M-15's, that way you could title your next post "Four Score and Seven."
OP
Engine49guy
Member
Before we move forward in CM evolution I think its important to talk about the Combat Magnum ,
The Combat Magnum was developed to make the power of the large N frame .357 Magnum cartridge available in the smaller Masterpiece K frame .
The Combat Magnum (Pre Model 19) was introduced at serial K260001 in 1955 as a 4 screw frame with 6 groove tangs ,
6 groove tangs
Kind of a combination of existing ideas it had target grips instead of the Magnas, shrouded ejector rod of the Pre Model 27 and the non tapered wide rib barrel of the K38 "Heavy Masterpiece" (pre Model 14) and although intended for LEO use no matte version was produced as a separate economy model like the Highway Patrolman.
1956 Combat Magnum Serial K261043 shipped June 28, 1956 shown with 1955 K22 CM Serial K246498.
The Combat Magnum was developed to make the power of the large N frame .357 Magnum cartridge available in the smaller Masterpiece K frame .
The Combat Magnum (Pre Model 19) was introduced at serial K260001 in 1955 as a 4 screw frame with 6 groove tangs ,
6 groove tangs
Kind of a combination of existing ideas it had target grips instead of the Magnas, shrouded ejector rod of the Pre Model 27 and the non tapered wide rib barrel of the K38 "Heavy Masterpiece" (pre Model 14) and although intended for LEO use no matte version was produced as a separate economy model like the Highway Patrolman.
1956 Combat Magnum Serial K261043 shipped June 28, 1956 shown with 1955 K22 CM Serial K246498.
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Rapidray
Member
That is a beautiful collection you have there. I was thinking why! That is a lot of great history you have there! I likie it a lot!!! Thumbs up. 
OP
Engine49guy
Member
The "High Speed" hammer is Dead ....Long live the Semi target hammer ! Appearing as an option in the 1950 AMC the wide target hammer and smaller semi target hammer have dethroned the Fishhook by 1957 and just like that the unique S&W trademark High Speed Hammer is officially out by the dawn of Model numbers.
Bright Blue finish, 4 Screw frames , 10 groove tangs and Model numbers appear in that order and are the shape of things to come.
Serial K317946 "Non Model marked Model 19" shipped May 1958.
Serial K334388 is a Model marked 18 that also shipped 1958 ,
Do not see the two set pins or visible seperate front site ramp (Pinned ramps continue in the Model 19 until 1970)
10 groove tangs
Bright Blue finish, 4 Screw frames , 10 groove tangs and Model numbers appear in that order and are the shape of things to come.
Serial K317946 "Non Model marked Model 19" shipped May 1958.
Serial K334388 is a Model marked 18 that also shipped 1958 ,
Do not see the two set pins or visible seperate front site ramp (Pinned ramps continue in the Model 19 until 1970)
10 groove tangs
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Superb collection and great, informative thread. Some of my favorite S&W's. Waiting for more….
This should push your "liked" count well over 1000!
This should push your "liked" count well over 1000!
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75Vette
Member
I hate you...
OP
Engine49guy
Member
Next up is this 15-1 serial K436622 ...
Well Dum Dums its 1959 and the Flintstones is just over the horizon in 1960 along with the modern 3 screw frame that awaits in the future world of 1961 ...!
Still in the 4 screw frame era watching that new show Bonanza and Bozo the clown on the Black & white TV while Alaska becomes the 49th State and Hawaii becomes the 50th .
NASA introduces America's first astronauts to the world including John H. Glenn Jr, and Alan Shepard Jr.
But we have bigger fish to fry with the transitional "DASH 1 REVISION "
Of course it begins by slightly changing the barrel ampersand like we always do ,
Next fix is that pesky ejector rod that tends to unscrew itself changing its right hand thread to Left and cut a channel behind the knurling so the two parts dont get mixed up in the parts bin later on OK ? ..POW done and done
Next up is that Lazzzzy frame ampersand that needs to go on a diet...BAM done !
How about that little rear site scallop...? if enough is good then more is better right ?....Mmmmm More scallops please...Shazaam done !
And finally the Jig holes...(left)...
WE DONT NEED NO STINKIN JIG HOLES...(right) Wammy done !
Well Dum Dums its 1959 and the Flintstones is just over the horizon in 1960 along with the modern 3 screw frame that awaits in the future world of 1961 ...!
Still in the 4 screw frame era watching that new show Bonanza and Bozo the clown on the Black & white TV while Alaska becomes the 49th State and Hawaii becomes the 50th .
NASA introduces America's first astronauts to the world including John H. Glenn Jr, and Alan Shepard Jr.
But we have bigger fish to fry with the transitional "DASH 1 REVISION "
Of course it begins by slightly changing the barrel ampersand like we always do ,
Next fix is that pesky ejector rod that tends to unscrew itself changing its right hand thread to Left and cut a channel behind the knurling so the two parts dont get mixed up in the parts bin later on OK ? ..POW done and done
Next up is that Lazzzzy frame ampersand that needs to go on a diet...BAM done !
How about that little rear site scallop...? if enough is good then more is better right ?....Mmmmm More scallops please...Shazaam done !
And finally the Jig holes...(left)...
WE DONT NEED NO STINKIN JIG HOLES...(right) Wammy done !
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OP
Engine49guy
Member
We all know that I am The Great Gazoo from the Flintstones right ?
And my nick name for Barney and Fred is "Dum Dums"..
Just didnt want anyone offended....ha ha...Now onto the future with three screw frames.
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OP
Engine49guy
Member
Moving forward through the 60's ,
The Cuban Missle crisis and Cold War, JFK, Civil Rights, Gemini, Apollo and the Moon, Johnson, Vietnam the M16 and AK47, Counter culture, Hippies, Muscle cars, Timothy Leary, Tune in turn on drop out, The Beatles and the Stones, Beach Boys, Doors, Janis Joplin Jimi Hendrix, Simon n Garfunkle, The Moody Blues,The Mammas n Pappas , Who and Woodstock,
A Tale of two Model 18-2s or One less screw to answer, one less egg to fry.....
The NEW three screw frame is here which means goodbye to that screw in the front of the trigger guard forever
Serials K637012 (1965) and K708518 (1967) are interesting to compare because they are both 18-2s with different features, Noticeably the grip diamonds are gone by 1967 although the deep escutcheons remain ...for now.
Also the modern frame address ampersand that briefly appeared on the dash 1 is back to a large ampersand on both dash 2s.
If you have been following along you know the First thing to change is of course the barrel ampersand,
1965 large ampersand
1967 Another change to Modern ampersand
Next is those pesky finials we love so much are present still on the 1965 gun
Gone by 1967 never to return.
The Cuban Missle crisis and Cold War, JFK, Civil Rights, Gemini, Apollo and the Moon, Johnson, Vietnam the M16 and AK47, Counter culture, Hippies, Muscle cars, Timothy Leary, Tune in turn on drop out, The Beatles and the Stones, Beach Boys, Doors, Janis Joplin Jimi Hendrix, Simon n Garfunkle, The Moody Blues,The Mammas n Pappas , Who and Woodstock,
A Tale of two Model 18-2s or One less screw to answer, one less egg to fry.....
The NEW three screw frame is here which means goodbye to that screw in the front of the trigger guard forever
Serials K637012 (1965) and K708518 (1967) are interesting to compare because they are both 18-2s with different features, Noticeably the grip diamonds are gone by 1967 although the deep escutcheons remain ...for now.
Also the modern frame address ampersand that briefly appeared on the dash 1 is back to a large ampersand on both dash 2s.
If you have been following along you know the First thing to change is of course the barrel ampersand,
1965 large ampersand
1967 Another change to Modern ampersand
Next is those pesky finials we love so much are present still on the 1965 gun
Gone by 1967 never to return.
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