I figured it would be a good day to document its story...
It starts out in Roosevelt, Utah (near Salt Lake City) in 1971 or 1972. My father was working as a roughneck in the oil field around the age of 20 when he met a bounty hunter from the area. My father became a welder working in Louisiana shortly after his stint in Utah, so he still talks about those days as the coldest ones he has ever seen. Anyway, the bounty hunter was trying to "upgrade" his old S&W, so my father bought it for $75. The bounty hunter told him it was a five screw, but he didn't know exactly what that meant. After the transaction, the K-38 sat quietly for years in its leather Hunter holster wearing Herrett’s target grips and a trigger shoe. It saw many trucks, drawers, and safes, but it was shot less than 100 times in the presence of its newest owner. Fast forward to 2006...I had seen my father's K-38 many times growing up, so I thought it would make for good conversation. I asked him about his gun, and he told me what he could remember. He didn't seem attached, so I asked him if I could buy it. I was hoping to get it before my older brother thought about it. I ended up buying it for $300. After I could inspect it further, I sent off for a letter, which came back 1/25/1954 to Strevells - Peterson Hardware Co. in Salt Lake City, Utah. I also decided the 90%-95% finish needed touching up to bring it back to its original glory. As I have documented on the forum, I sent it to Ford's. They did a fantastic job. For Christmas I gave it back to my father with the addition of period correct non-relieved target grips. He couldn't stop smiling. It now sits safely in his safe waiting for the day it will be passed back to me when his journey is complete.
Happy 54th Shipday!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: jeremyws1,
Originally posted by AZTim: Your Father raised a great Son...he's a lucky man.
I'm the lucky one. My father (and mother) gave me everything to succeed in life, and all he asked of me in return was to make something of myself. I'm sitting here in an office working (and reading the forum) 8 to 5 as an electrical engineer getting paid too much while he still gets up at 4:30am to work outside in the elements for probably the same amount. If I turn out to be half the man my father is, I will consider my life a success. I never meant for this to turn into a life story, but it's always good to step back and take it all in every now and then. And to think some people say guns are bad things.
doczeus, thank you for the kind words and the bumping of this thread. I have to admit I smile each time I read the first post. Most people don't know this, but the K-38 was my first Smith. I joined the forum to research it. This gun started a wonderful hobby and a wonderful addiction.
