The Masterpiece Trifecta

I too bought mine from a Forum member. Got a great deal too. I made the first call to buy the revolver and others were lined up just in case I didn't want it. At a little over $2,000, I could not pass it up. # 157445, was shipped 10-10-52. Big Larry

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larryofcc said:
I too bought mine from a Forum member. Got a great deal too. I made the first call to buy the revolver and others were lined up just in case I didn't want it. At a little over $2,000, I could not pass it up. # 157445, was shipped 10-10-52. Big Larry

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Beautiful K32 Big Larry, and are my eyes right? That looks like a matte finish for the 1952 version. Very close to what I paid for this one, and I'm very happy! Having seen a good number of your posts and bits of your collection, I'm betting it is a pristine revolver.

Based on the auctions I've seen, I think $2k is a VERY reasonable price (assuming $2k could ever be considered reasonable for what was probably a $40-50 gun when new), but that's the world we live in these days.
 
NavySCPO said:
Thanks Froggie! We've talked (on here) before and I value your opinion as well as many others. This K32 is far from perfect, as for my experience, I can count on one finger how many I've seen in person, and that includes this one :-). When I first saw it next to my others the brighter blue stood out, which I thought was odd, but I later learned that the 1955's (and I'm sure others) were finished brighter than the matte finishes on my K22 & K38. They are in much better shape also. The bluing on the K32 is not in the best of condition.

I've added a few more pictures, and would sincerely appreciate your opinion on its condition, and of course the opinion of any others who would care to comment. I know only what I've read on the forum and in the 4th Standard Catalog, so all opinions are welcome.

Thank you all in advance!
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There's too much variance in looking at pictures to do more than a very rough guess at condition, but from what I see, it looks pretty spectacular. I'd give it at least 95%+, probably more like 98%. With that model, anything more than what I'm seeing would just about have to be NIB to be noticeably better. I will say without fear of contradiction, I would be proud to own it.

Regards,
Froggie
 
That's a nice trifecta or "perfecta".

So if I understand correctly, the three ribs are three different widths, and are a matching weight set.

Did the K22 letter indicate the .5" target hammer was originally ordered on it? Because if not, I'd swap it out for the original short action "fish hook" hammer. And have a completely matching threesome.
 
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Hey Leo918, I was so distracted admiring the K-32 that NavySCPO is showing, I nearly missed your nickel K-32 altogether! That is an oddity of a rarity! Does it letter with those target grips too? That would add another level of unusual-ness! Suffice to say, I'm "green with envy!"

Froggie
 
NavySCPO said:
Beautiful K32 Big Larry, and are my eyes right? That looks like a matte finish for the 1952 version. Very close to what I paid for this one, and I'm very happy! Having seen a good number of your posts and bits of your collection, I'm betting it is a pristine revolver.

Based on the auctions I've seen, I think $2k is a VERY reasonable price (assuming $2k could ever be considered reasonable for what was probably a $40-50 gun when new), but that's the world we live in these days.
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Hello Sailor, and thank you for your service to our country. I too have the trifecta and then some. Most of my post war, Korean war guns have the matt finish. I have one 1956 and two 1957-1958 guns that are high polish. Personally, I think that finish looks bad, but what are you going to do.
My K32 is a tad over 95%. 100% matching numbers. I have yet to fire it, although I have been donated some ammo. Big Larry. USMCR 60-68. Semper Fi Sailor.
 
Hondo44 said:
That's a nice trifecta or "perfecta".

So if I understand correctly, the three ribs are three different widths, and are a matching weight set.

Did the K22 letter indicate the .5" target hammer was originally ordered on it? Because if not, I'd swap it out for the original short action "fish hook" hammer. And have a completely matching threesome.
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Thank you Jim, good eye! No sir, the letter did not indicate a Target Hammer, so it's fair to assume someone changed it out. I do want to replace it with the correct hammer, I see you mention the 'fish hook' type, is there a particular width or other identifying information? I've looked and there seem to be several available for this, I want to be sure I get the right one for a 1953 ship date.

Thanks again to all who have provided your comments.
 

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larryofcc said:
Hello Sailor, and thank you for your service to our country. I too have the trifecta and then some. Most of my post war, Korean war guns have the matt finish. I have one 1956 and two 1957-1958 guns that are high polish. Personally, I think that finish looks bad, but what are you going to do.
My K32 is a tad over 95%. 100% matching numbers. I have yet to fire it, although I have been donated some ammo. Big Larry. USMCR 60-68. Semper Fi Sailor.
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And Thank You for your service Sir! I was a bit behind you, USN 1970-1993, retired Senior Chief, best years of my life. The Marine Corps and Navy have a special bond unlike any other, proud to have been a small part of that. Semper Fi Marine!
 
NavySCPO said:
Thank you Jim, good eye! No sir, the letter did not indicate a Target Hammer, so it's fair to assume someone changed it out. I do want to replace it with the correct hammer, I see you mention the 'fish hook' type, is there a particular width or other identifying information? I've looked and there seem to be several available for this, I want to be sure I get the right one for a 1953 ship date.

Thanks again to all who have provided your comments.
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The correct hammer is exactly like your other two Ks, but of course center fire like the K 38. Correct terminology is the High Speed Hammer, first hammer used when the high speed action, or short action was introduced on the K frames in 1948.
 
THREEDFLYER said:
Congrats and welcome to the Trifecta Club!

I finally got my K32 LERK a few years back to complete my triple play, it's a wonderful thing!

Enjoy!
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Thanks Tom, there are so few of these in circulation it sure makes you proud to have the set. I know there are subtle differences so you could spend a fortune trying to get all the variations. Such as your K32 LERK, an even rarer bird, and very cool look to my eye.

Just having the 3 is an accomplishment I really never thought I'd be able to pull off, but I have been lucky and blessed in more ways than one, especially when you factor in I just started this search in earnest about 6 months ago. I'll probably never quit collecting Smith & Wessons, in fact I picked up a nice 65-3 and a 60's dated Model 49 just this week, but probably never another like this.
 
Never really understood the .32 Masterpiece and have almost no experience with a .32 revolver. My Dad's centerfire pistol in the police league in the 50s and 60s was his 6" Colt New Service .357 with King sights and his home rolled .38 wadcuttter reloads

Seems like not many K-32 around; so I'm assuming it was not real popular
even back in the days of bulls-eye competition. Is the .32 an inherently accurate round?

That said having the set is way cooool......I know a couple guys at the NE Ohio Bunching have talked about their search for completing their sets....if they could find a K-32 Masterpiece.
 
BAM-BAM said:
Never really understood the .32 Masterpiece and have almost no experience with a .32 revolver. My Dad's centerfire pistol in the police league in the 50s and 60s was his 6" Colt New Service .357 with King sights and his home rolled .38 wadcuttter reloads

Seems like not many K-32 around; so I'm assuming it was not real popular
even back in the days of bulls-eye competition. Is the .32 an inherently accurate round?

That said having the set is way cooool......I know a couple guys at the NE Ohio Bunching have talked about their search for completing their sets....if they could find a K-32 Masterpiece.
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Yes the 32 S&W L is an inherently accurate round... in fact, in an indoor range at 50 feet or 25 yds, it is pretty much of a world beater. I can only guess that the 38 Spl had such a head start in popularity due to its widespread use in LEO circles that the K-38 got an overwhelming lead on its smaller sibling. Of course with all the ammo development that went on, target ammo in 38 Spl. got to be pretty accurate as well. ;)

The cost of owning a dedicated CF target revolver In 32 when a perfectly fine 38 was there probably discouraged all but the most rabid target shooters from springing for the K-32, which meant that latter day collectors would have a smaller supply to draw from. :(

One of these days I just have to get up to NE OH and meet up face to face with some of my e-friends in that esteemed "Bunch." :rolleyes:

Froggie
 
THREEDFLYER said:
You know I forgot to include the combat versions of the .22 and .38.......will have to drag those two out for a family photo someday!!

If only they made a combat version of the K-32!!!
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I was going to post (before somebody beat me to it) that Smith did make a Combat Masterpiece in 32 S&W L, but from what I've seen posted here, the number is under a couple of dozen altogether, and they seem to all hold highly valued positions in advanced collections. There have indeed been a few posted with pix on this very forum. :)

If you want another challenge, try collecting up a set of K-frame revolvers in all three calibers without adjustable sights. M&P versions of the 22 and 32 to go along with the ubiquitous 38 M&P were made, but both in limited numbers for special orders. Now that would be a worthy quest! :cool:

Froggie
 
THREEDFLYER said:
You know I forgot to include the combat versions of the .22 and .38.......will have to drag those two out for a family photo someday!!

If only they made a combat version of the K-32!!!
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As RKMesa posted, there are 10 or 11 known Combat K32s reported in the SCSW, made in 1949. So it's possible to have a Hexafecta! And wiregrassguy has posted his even more rare factory 5".

In the same period something approaching 5000 4" 32 M&Ps were churned out by the factory.
 
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