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Collector’s Fact
The ten special order Smith & Wesson K-32 Masterpiece (Pre-Model 16) revolvers in this shipment were the first to be manufactured with a 4 inch barrel.
Collector’s Fact
According to "The Blue Book of Gun Values", only 144 Smith & Wesson Registered Magnums were nickel plated.
LOT 476
Extremely Rare and Documented Smith & Wesson K-32 Masterpiece
(Pre-Model 16) Double Action Revolver with Special Order 4 Inch Barrel,
Gold Box, and Factory Letter - Serial no. K67160, 32 S&W Long cal., 4 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This
S&W K-32 Masterpiece (pre-Model 16) revolver has a special order 4 inch barrel and is built on the 5-screw frame. The
standard barrel length for this model was 6 inches. This is one of only 3,630 K-32
Masterpiece (Model 16) revolvers S&W manufactured over a 26 year period starting
in 1947. It is the rarest of the standard K-Masterpiece series. The accompanying factory
letter (copy) states the revolver was shipped on March 4, 1949 and delivered to B.W. Folsom, Warren, Ohio, with special order 4 inch barrel, Patridge front sight, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips (currently wearing a set of Magna grips numbered to another gun). This shipment was for 10 units ordered with a 4 inch barrel and S&W charged an additional $6.00
for each of the 4 inch barrels. The included S&W invoice confirms the 4 inch barrel and lists the serial numbers for all 10 guns in the March 4, 1949 shipment. These 10 guns were
the first 4 inch K-32s ever manufactured and other than two others produced in 1951, the only 4 inch barrels built on the 5-screw frame. Matching serial numbers on the butt,
cylinder, and barrel. Comes with an unnumbered correct S&W model gold box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original blue finish with moderate rotation wear on the cylinder and a ding on the muzzle followed by circinal scratches half way to the
ejector housing. 99% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are also excellent with some scattered minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine.
Provenance: The Dave Ballantyne Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 477
Extremely Rare, Documented Nickel Police
Shipped Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum
Double Action Revolver with Desirable 4 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter
- Serial no. 58713, 357 magnum cal., 4 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. From 1935 to 1939 some 5,400 Registered Magnums were manufactured by S&W and were virtually
a custom made handgun. The .357 Magnum was the most powerful handgun cartridge at
the time, and this “state of the art” handgun quickly gained popularity with law enforcement agencies,
including the FBI, looking for a sidearm to deliver more stopping power. This particular Registered Magnum
(reg. no. 4741) was built with a scarce and desirable 4 inch barrel. Short barrel lengths such as 4 inches were popular with law enforcement as clearly proven on this example as it was ordered by the City of Evansville, Indiana Police Department. It is also one of only 144 manufactured with a nickel finish. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on May 19, 1939
and delivered to the Board of Works and Safety, Evansville, Indiana with a 4 inch barrel, nickel finish, humpback hammer, Baughman quick draw front sight, square notch rear sight, and checkered Magna grips. In a second included factory letter it is stated that the City of Evansville received a total of 24 Registered Magnums in this shipment and all but one had
the humpback hammer. Includes the S&W order form and invoice for the revolver which confirm the configuration and shipment to the City of Evansville and show this order was personally handled by S&W Sales Manager Cy Bennett. Right grip panel numbered to another gun. Matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% original nickel plating with some slight flaking and a cylinder drag line. The grips are very fine with a slight chip near the bottom (right panel) and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An incredibly rare original nickel Registered Magnum. Provenance: The Gary Garbrecht Collection; The Geoff Moore Collection; The Ray Cheely Collection; The Dave Ballantyne Collection.
396 Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000