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LOT 578
Extremely Rare, Documented Smith & Wesson K-32 Hand Ejector First Model
Target Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 653372, 32 S&W Long
cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is one of only 94 K-32 Hand Ejector
Target revolvers Smith & Wesson manufactured from 1936 to 1941. These revolvers are found in the
approximate 653388-682207 serial number range and are built on the .38 Military & Police of the 1905, 4th Change frame and pinned 6 inch round barrel. This example (no. 653372) falls just short of the accepted start of the serial number range. It is one of the rarest pre-
war K frame revolvers manufactured by S&W with only approximately 94 manufactured. After World War II this model became part of the K-22/K-32/K-38 Masterpiece series of target revolvers. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was ordered through Von
Lengerke & Antonio Co. of Chicago, Illinois, shipped on March 13, 1936, and delivered to Walter L. Palla of Princeton, Illinois, with a 6 inch
barrel in .32 S&W Long caliber, blue finish, .38 M&P target frame, and sights set for a 6 o’clock hold. It was billed at $25.99, and it is not often that we catalog S&W shipped to an individual. These were special order revolvers offered by S&W before the formal announcement to the public that the gun was available for general sales, and in the factory records these extremely rare pre-war revolvers are listed as a .38 M&P Target in .32 caliber. The checkered silver S&W medallion grips are numbered to another gun. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus bright original high polish blue finish showing a cylinder drag line and minimal handling marks. 97% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The replacement grips are excellent with a few handling marks on the bottom and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
Only 94 Smith & Wesson K-32 Hand Ejector Target revolvers were manufactured.
LOT 579
Documented Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 59923, 357 magnum cal., 8 3/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This particular Registered Magnum (reg. no. 5307), is one of only 735 Registered Magnums manufactured with an 8 3/4 inch barrel. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on September 22, 1939 and delivered to Dave Cook Sporting Goods Co. of Denver, Colorado with an 8 3/4 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut Magna grips (currently fitted with Roper grips). Additional information is obtained from the S&W order form and invoice which confirm the McGivern gold bead front sight, deep notch rear sight and shipment to Dave Cook Sporting Goods Co. of Denver. Also included is the purchase order
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on a Dave Cook Sporting Goods Co. receipt which also lists other S&W revolvers including two 6 inch .357 Magnums. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish with some muzzle and high edge wear, a cylinder drag line and rub wear on the left side of the barrel. 98% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The Roper thumb rest grips are fine with high edge wear, some minor handling marks, and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Dave Ballantyne Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
According to "The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Supica and Nahas, only 735 Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum revolvers were produced with an 8-3/4 inch barrel.