In House Shipping:
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: K-32 Masterpiece (Pre-Model 16)
Serial Number: K 237070
Year of Manufacture: June 28th, 1955 (according to the Factory Letter)
Caliber: .32 S&W Long
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action/Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Barrel Length: 6” Pinned
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a 1/10 Patridge that is integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat top leaf with a square notch base that is Micrometer Click adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are factory original walnut Magna panels with S&W silver medallions, and do not show their age. The inside of the right grip panel shows evidence of the serial number in pencil. There is some little compression and some light rub on the grip panels. The checkering is still very well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent Condition.
Type of Finish: Blued. The checkered hammer and serrated trigger are case hardened.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no turn line. There are a few scattered light handling marks. The ejector rod has kept all of its finish. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The non-recessed cylinder locks up with light play on each chamber when the trigger is depressed. The double-action trigger is smooth and the single action is extremely light and crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a vintage original “Smith & Wesson K-32 Masterpiece Blue Finish 6-Inch Barrel” gold and blue cardboard box. The box is in fine shape, and has its blue reinforced metal tabs on the corners. Inside the box is the “Helpful Hints” Brochure, and both of these items are timely to the piece. A factory letter is also included.
Our Assessment: From the “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas–“Caliber .32 S&W Long, DA revolver built on a square butt K frame with five screws, short cocking action, anti-backlash trigger, micrometer click rear sight, checkered walnut stocks with S&W monograms, a large S&W trademark on the side plate. Quite a scarce gun, with serial number ranges hard to pin down.” In 1955, the upper side plate screw was deleted from the design, making this revolver one of the last to come off the production line with that 5th screw.
This Smith & Wesson Post-War 5-Screw K-32 Masterpiece Revolver was made on June 28th, 1955 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 6” pinned barrel, scarce 5-screw frame, 99% of its lustrous, original blued finish, with vibrant, iridescent case coloring on the checkered hammer and serrated trigger, the original, elegant checkered walnut Magna grips with “S&W” silver medallions and “smooth diamonds” around the grip screw, a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion, a factory letter, and a vintage original “Smith & Wesson K-32 Masterpiece Blue Finish 6-Inch Barrel” gold and blue cardboard box with the “Helpful Hints” Brochure inside. With only about 3,630 combined K-32 Masterpiece and Model 16 revolvers made from 1947-1973, it remains one of the rarest post-war Smith & Wesson K frame revolvers to find today. As collectors, it is the elusive that draws our attention, and scarcely do we encounter such a stunning combination of high condition and rarity as we do in this Smith & Wesson 5-Screw K-32 Masterpiece.