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LOT 3283
Rare Smith & Wesson K-32 Masterpiece (Pre- Model 16) Double Action Revolver with Gold Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. K56262, 32 S&W Long cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. 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 states the revolver was shipped
on February 10, 1949 and delivered to Tracy-Wells Co. of Columbus, Ohio,
with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish and checkered walnut grips. In the letter
S&W historian Roy Jinks remarks on the large ejector knob, a left over pre-
war part from the K-32 Hand Ejector First Model line of production: “It is very possible that the factory could have installed the large extractor rod on this revolver if they had run out of standard rods. However, there is no way to verify it in the records.” The ejector rod is factory original. The S&W medallion Magna grips are unnumbered. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, and barrel. The S&W K-32 Masterpiece gold box is unnumbered. The S&W “Helpful Hints” pamphlet is included. An early narrow rib K-32 with the “lerk” (large ejector rod knob) feature.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue finish with slight muzzle wear and a cylinder drag line. 98% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. The box is fine. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dave Ballantyne Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3284
Excellent Smith & Wesson Model 16 K-32 Masterpiece Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. K412346, 32 S&W Long cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. This is one of only 3,630 K-32 and Model 16 revolvers S&W manufactured over a 26 year period starting in 1947. It is the rarest of the standard
K-Masterpiece target series. The accompanying factory letter states this rare “no dash” Model 16 revolver was shipped on January 30, 1960 and delivered to H.H. Harris Co. of Chicago, Illinois, and confirms the 6 inch barrel, target hammer, target trigger, blue finish, and checkered walnut diamond target grips. Matching serial numbers are on the butt and inside of the 4-screw frame.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue finish with a slight scuff on the trigger guard and a light cylinder drag line. 99% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are also excellent with a few minor handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dave Ballantyne Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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