K38 Combat Masterpiece ?

[RJG59]

Hello, I am new to the forum and joined with the intent of learning more about my S&W revolver that I
purchased over 20 years ago. It's been cleaned and stored for about 15 years since I moved and haven't
been involved in target shooting. I recently pulled it out of the safe on a hunch that it may be older then
I realized and started my research. Everything I read, see pictures of and watched on You Tube has me
believing that this is a pre 1950's. It is a 5 screw frame design, 4 " barrel with a ramped front sight and
adjustable rear site. When I open the cylinder there is no model number, only what appears to be the a
serial number of 33xxx. (5 digits) The side of the barrel is stamped Smith & Wesson 38 Special CTG.
There is a large S&W logo on one side of the frame this is slightly covered by the wooden checkered grips.
I would like to know how to determine the age and if indeed it is a Combat Masterpiece? The condition is
a solid 9 out of 10 with a very slight tint of holster wear on the leading edge of the barrel. Other then that
the bluing appears to be like factory new. The grips have aged to a dark finish and the checking is crisp.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I would also like to know the approximate value these sell for.

[Blackcloud2]

Welcome RJG59, what you have does sound like a Model 15 or pre-model, we'd need a serial number to approximate the shipping date from S&W. Look on the bottom of the butt, there should be a stamping: K XXXXX, that's the serial number. The fact that is doesn't show a model inside the crane when you open the cylinder would be an indicator it is a pre-1957 when Model numbers were starting to be applied. Look for that butt stamp and pictures would help too. Good luck! BC2

[mmitch]

RJ,

Welcome to a fine forum.
I'm guessing there is a "K" in front of that number. "The Book" says your K-38 shipped in 1948. Condition drives value and, besides the fact that we love pics, some well-lit images of both sides of your gun would greatly assist valuation. From your description I would opine your gun might fetch around 4-5 c notes, here in middle TN.

Mike

[Rapidray]

Do you by any chance have the box it came with? That would be cool if you do! And it would add to your value!

[Oldgungeezer]

Hello RJG59 and welcome to the forum:

Indeed, let's see a picture of that K Frame..............

Regards,

Geezer

[gearchecker]

RJG,
Welcome to the forum from North Idaho.
It sounds like you have a Model 15 which is basically the 2" or 4" version of the Model 14 with a ramp front sight.
The condition sounds wonderful. A touch of muzzle wear is quite common on these revolvers from holstering.
It's a very fun handgun to shoot. I have a model 14 and it's dead accurate at 50 yds using the iron sights.
Yours can easily match that, with a little practice and steady hands
If it is a 5 screw I believe it would be considered a pre model 15. Open the cylinder and let us know if there is a model number stamped on the crane.
It would look like "Mod 15-1" or something similar. Also please get us the serial number from the bottom of the grip butt. you can X out the last number or two if you would like to keep it unknown.
And lastly, photo's are a huge help. Both for proper identification, and for us to just plain enjoy with you.

Regards,
Gearchecker

[RJG59]

I didn't expect that many answers so quickly.

I took some pictures with my phone so I hope they are clear enough to see.

The serial number is K 91918

[Blackcloud2]

Based on what I see, it's K38 Combat Masterpiece, circa 1950 based on the serial number. Here's a lettered one of the same year with a different hammer, but they should look alike otherwise. It might be the photo, but your front sight looks to be altered in some way and you didn't show a picture of the stocks, do you have them? If they're original, one of the stock panels will have the serial number stamped or written on the wood inside. Take a peek and see, I'm curious.

[Oldgungeezer]

Hi RJG:

It looks to me to be circa 1950 (Combat Masterpiece began 1949).

Something about the front sight doesn't seem exactly right, maybe it's just a picture illusion, but it seems to have been filed or otherwise reshaped. I think that the original Boughman sight had a slightly different side profile. Yours seems to have a peak in the center, or maybe it's the fuzzy background fabric covering/obscuring part of the sight itself.

We can't see enough of the grips to tell you much about them.

Until our resident experts chime-in, that's about all I can tell you.

Hope that helps..........

Regards,

Geezer

[Oldgungeezer]

HaHa BC2........you must have posted while I was typing.........chuckle

Gee, like minds?

Best Regards,

Geeze