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LOT 1530
Documented Secretary
of the National Rifle
Association Frank L.
Wyman Shipped and Inscribed Smith & Wesson K-32 Masterpiece (Pre-Model
16) Double Action Revolver with Presentation Case and Factory Letter - Serial no. K103986, 32 S&W Long
cal., 8 3/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This K-32 Masterpiece revolver was S&W factory shipped and
inscribed to Frank L. Wyman, Secretary of the National Rifle Association and is attributed as gifted to Wyman upon
his retirement from the NRA. Wyman was also a noted pistol competitor, making this K-32 Masterpiece the perfect
retirement gift. The side plate has the factory inscription “FRANK L. WYMAN.” The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped
on March 2, 1951, and delivered to Wyman, Washington, D.C. with a 6 inch barrel, “Frank L. Wyman” engraved, and target grips. In the letter
S&W historian Roy Jinks noted the special 8 3/8 inch barrel as factory and concluded it was installed by the factory after it shipped.
Wyman is believed to have personally asked for the special extra long barrel. Standard barrel length for this model was 6 inches.
The barrel is numbered to the gun (“103986”). The included S&W invoice for this revolver confirms the revolver was shipped to
Wyman. The cylinder is also numbered to the gun. Only 3,630 K-32 Masterpiece
(Model 16) revolvers were manufactured by S&W over a 26 year period starting
in 1947. It is the rarest of the standard K-Masterpiece series. This is the only
known K-32 Masterpiece fitted with an 8 3/8 inch
barrel. Includes a presentation case featuring an empty
cartridge block and royal purple velvet lining.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 99% plus original blue
and casehardened finishes with the slightest handling
marks. The grips are also excellent with a few minor
handling marks and crisp checkering. The case is fine
with replacement latches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dave Ballantyne Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
Frank L. Wyman
472
LOT 1529
Exceptional Smith &
Wesson .45 Hand Ejector Model of 1950
Target “Pre-Model 26” Double Action
Revolver in Very Scarce .45 Long Colt
with Original Box and Factory Letter -
Serial no. S99450, 45 Long Colt cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1954,
this is an exceptional example of the “pre-Model 26”
Smith & Wesson .45 Hand Ejector Model of 1950 Target
revolver in the very scarce .45 Long Colt. Between 1950
and 1961, only 2,768 of these revolvers were produced
with the vast majority being chambered in .45 ACP.
This particular example is part of a run of only 200 of
these revolvers chambered in .45 Long Colt, which were
manufactured from 1953 to 1957, while some other very
small special orders are also believed to have been made
in this caliber. The included factory letter lists the revolver
as a special .45 Long Colt variation with a 6 1/2 inch
barrel, Patridge front sight, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips when
it was shipped to Harvan Sporting Goods Co. in New York on 10 November 1954, as part of a shipment containing 7 revolvers in this configuration. The barrel
has the Smith & Wesson marking on the left, while the “45 COLT CTG.” caliber marking is on the right. The right side of the frame is marked with the trademark and four-line address.
The matching serial number is on the butt, in the ejector rod shroud, on the rear face of the cylinder, and stamped inside the right grip panel. The matching assembly number is on the
frame and crane. It is fitted with a ramped Patridge blade front sight, an adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of checkered walnut grips with “S&W” monogram medallions at the tops.
Includes the original factory maroon box with the additional hand-marked “COLT” on the end label and on the bottom in the same pencil as the hand-marked serial number.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% of the original blue finish with a few light handling marks, some slight muzzle wear, and a light cylinder turn line. The grips are very fine with a few light handling marks, a minor ding on the left
panel, and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some mild wear. A very scarce Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target chambered in .45 Long Colt!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500