A great presentation SmithNut. Thank you for putting it together as I diffidently learned more than just a few things. i only have one right now. a 14-3 that I picked up that was carried (according to the story that came with the revolver) by an LAPD Officer. The story said that to be a carry weapon, it had to be a DA only so the hammer had been modified. I had it converted back to a normal hammer after I received it. While it shows some holster wear, it is a very nice revolver.

"Targets Guy", my pre 15 has more wear than yours ;-)
Since I took the photos I found better grips, a set that looks as tired as the rest of the gun.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL147.../413156499.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL147.../413156498.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL147.../413156497.jpg

Love the holster. Is that a Braurer Bros?

It's "Handmade by Viking, Mexico". Fits the gun perfectly, in looks and size.

SmithNut; Another great post. Thanks for sharing all the information as well as pictures from your impressive collection.

What a Collection !!!
 

I just picked up my first S&W revolver. It is a customized Model 14-4 with a 8 3/8 that was used for competition. I think it is from 1980-82. I would love to know the % of the Long Barrels made as it was one of the reasons I paid a Premium price for this pistol ; ) The grips are a mystery to me and I'd love to know who made them. The hammer has been bobbed and the trigger lightened to 5-7 lbs. Is it still possible to get an original Model 14-4 hammer and if so, where. It also has the later style cylinder release (I think). By the way... Thank you so much for posting pictures and comments about your collection. I learned more in an hour than I could have in a year on my own.
http://s1026.photobucket.com/user/Ga...25anu.jpg.html

Excellent
 

Thank you for this, educational, interesting read and fantastic photographs.

Hi, i’m new to the forum. My name is Tony. I’m italian and i’m new owner to a s&w 14-3 year 76
Is possible to have digitalized user manual for 14-3?
Many thanks

Yesterday I ran across a box for a 8-3/8" gun complete with tools and books. Looks to be for a late 1970s gun based on the literature. No gun of course, or both the box and gun would be home with me now :)

PM me and I can give the shop's info if you want it.

I really liked the photo's of the old model 14 I had a couple

What do you think of an old model 27 as a target gun?

This is a fantastic thread. I love seeing all the k-38s. I really believe the the 38 masterpiece is the most underrated of Smith’s revolvers. They are crazy accurate, great to carry and are just beautiful all around. Here’s my 1955 5 screw masterpiece with the 3ts. You can’t see from this side but they are non-relieved target stocks. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1abcaab562.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mod 14
 

thank you !! outstanding !!! :)

My Masterpiece from mid 1948 and my factory cut 5" barreled 14-2 shipped 11-21-1962. I need to take some better photo's.

Stu
http://tinyurl.com/hwzy82v
http://tinyurl.com/zbybmfv

This thread has been running for nine years now. I guess we can safely say that when S&W named it the Masterpiece, they were pre-acknowledging that this would be one of the best-loved guns in their lineup. To me at least, the K-38 and its 22 and 32 caliber siblings define S&W excellence and quality.

Froggie

This thread has been here longer than I have, but this is the first time I saw it. Great thread with lots of great information and pictures.
I only have one to add to the show. Model 14 no dash, 4 screw frame and 5” barrel. Mr. Jinks says it left the factory in this configuration in April of 1960.
https://i.postimg.cc/CKVGYB94/IMG-0515.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/nVQqs1Z1/fullsizeoutput-608.jpg

I have my letter form on my desk just waiting for some time to send it in.

Still a great thread, Smithnut. If I had thought about it when we spoke at the S&WCA Symposium last month in Texas,I would have pestered you to put together an article for the S&WCA Journal on the K-38 Masterpiece guns. You are the guy who should write that article.

Somewhere up above in this thread there was mention made of the U.S. military shipped K-38 Masterpieces and the AFPG guns. I don't think anyone has posted one yet so I'll toss this one in.

This example is a Model 14 with serial K405427. It letters as having shipped to the U.S. Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB on October 20, 1960. It has the high polish blue. The factory letter confirms that it shipped with Target Hammer and Target Grips. Just below the cylinder window one can see the AFPG marking which means, of course, Air Force Premium Grade. That marking was applied by the Air Force gunsmiths at Lackland AFB.

https://i.postimg.cc/rFRgs1f6/S-W-K-...mposite-ed.jpg

Anyone with an interest in the military K-38s should study the fine article written by Kevin Williams entitled "Military Masterpieces". It was published in the S&WCA Journal Spring 2011 issue.

I'm a short barrel kind of a guy, so I prefer this variation:

Shipped December 1956:

https://i.imgur.com/Jh7n1or.jpg

Thanks for resurrecting this thread...there are some beautiful "Masterpieces" here!!

Best Regards, Les

Since Charlie posted a USAF K-38 I feel obliged to post a US Army one shipped in mid-1956:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/members...img-3149-a.jpg

I did end up getting that 8-3/8" gun I was looking for (see post #169).

14-4 LNIB

https://i.imgur.com/gswsCtNh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qnUikV7h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3Bc2QaBh.jpg

Informal Pictorial Essay - K-38 Masterpiece (and Model 14) variations
 

Terrific thread! I’ll add my one and only K-38 Masterpiece from 1956, engraved by Claus and Emil Willig in the late 1950’s for the Kurt Yeager, Mainz engraving shop.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...65902aac05.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...63678f27f9.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3fa82eb997.jpg
Photo Credit Morphy Auctions
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...751a056261.jpg
Photo Credit Morphy Auctions
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cd3f2e55b3.jpg

Thanks for Posting this SmithNut! I spent a lot of time pouring over this thread before I bought mine. Though it appears to hove been shot quite a bit it has been well taken care of. Aftermarket target grips and an aftermarket trigger shoe had been added. It shoots real well. According to the serial number it's a 1954.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/8136/1cNe9d.jpg

Great thread, and WOW ... Spectacular collection SmithNut!

I’m a big fan of these incredibly accurate revolvers. Mine always makes me look better than I am at the range.

5-screw K-38 Masterpiece from, as close as I’ve gotten, either ‘49 or ‘50 (K834xx) with some, as I’m told, rare 3 piece target stocks. Unfortunately, the spacer is broken into two pieces. Luckily, it doesn’t impact the feel while shooting. This gun is always fun at the range and normally turns a head or two.

14’s
 

I really enjoyed your post. Model 14’s are my favorite K-frame
I have owed many and kept a few. These are the ones that I still feed and care for.

Four pages about the K38... somebody out there must like them. IMHO, no shooter’s battery, nor enthusiast’s collection is complete without nice examples of the K frame Target Models. They are truly Masterpieces of the Gun maker’s art.

Froggie

Wow! Wow! Wow! :) Thanks for the beautiful layout and wealth of informaiton concerning this great Smith genre! Photos too, the best! Great presentation package!
I didn't note the 4" Combat Masterpiece, my presumption of beyond radar. Moment to advocate it's inclusion as going hand in hand. "Complimenting!" My single example, from firt year 1949 and very nice shape. SN K83xxx. Of bunch, my sweetheart!
I also have an early slim barrel .38 Masterpiece in K23xxx; K185xxx & 14-4 blue in 8 3/8th barrel.
Have interesting tattered box/tattered label purporting "38 Masterpiece Heavy Barrel" with hand notation over 6" marking as 5" barrel & handwritten codes.
Again, contratulations! Super great effort & resulting 'job of work'!
Concur that it should be s "Stickie" or some such in this Forum!
Best & Stay Safe!
John

As much as I hate to admit not having read every post in THIS MASTERPIECE, and as much as I hate picking yet another nit, and as much as I appreciate the use of the term "non-tapered" (as opposed to the term "untapered"-------which pretty much makes my teeth hurt) when referring to the wide rib barrels to be found on the several later variations of the K-38, please take note of the fact these barrels are tapered-----as are the ribs. They're not tapered much, I grant you; but they are most certainly tapered-----and I suspect they'd look rather "klunky" if they weren't----not to mention they might be a bit nose heavy for some folks' taste.

We'll save the rest of this for another time and place, but you need to know S&W has taken significant pains over the years to produce target grade handguns that are balanced---------just so. And I'll bet the best examples will prove to be surprising----and quite possibly heretofore unknown------at least to those of us who came along later.

Ralph Tremaine

Photos?
 

Interesting thread, but where did the hi-res photos go? Come back please 🙂.

Waiting on a 14 and 14-3 single action , heard great things about these revolvers , cant wait to try them out.

Cheers,

J9