About how much is the going rate for a 1948 49 vintage all matching K38 Masterpiece with the tapered bbl.? I don't want a heavy bbl. At least 95%. Thanks, Big Larry

I'm not sure we see enough of the tapered barreled K-38's being bought and sold to establish whether or not they bring any significant premium over the heavy barrels. They're definitely harder to find, so you'd think the scarcity factor alone would be worth a few dollars more, but I'm just not sure that's happening in the real world.

That said, I'd think prices should be comparable for either variation.

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

I have bought two straight barrel K-38s from 1950 in the last 18 months at about $600 each. If you can find a nice light-barrel version I'd guess you would probably be in for $575-600 at a minimum; don't be surprised if the seller wants $700 or a little more to reflect a scarcity premium.

If you get one, you've got to post pictures!

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David Wilson

Thanks. I found one recently but the bbl. was not numbered and it had target accessories. Too early for that I am sure. The un numbered bbl. turned me off.
My bro in law has one close to this one and it does have a numbered bbl. Maybe some were not numbered, but I will get a numbered one anyway. No way to tell. Maybe one will turn up at the August Reno show. Thanks all, Big Larry

Big Larry,

The early K38 Masterpiece with tapered, narrow-rib barrel is a true classic. They are out there, but be prepared to pay a premium. I was fortunate to pick this one up in Tulsa last Fall. It shipped from the factory in October 1948. No docs or cleaning kit but all numbers match . . . including the box.





The only thing better than an early tapered barrel 6” K38 Masterpiece is a complete set . . . including the 5” and 4” 38 Combat Masterpieces.





Good luck in your quest,

Russ

WOW, REAL nice revolvers. I would be proud to own just one. Thanks, Big Larry

I found one at a local shop Pre 14, 5 screw, 6"bbl ?, about 95%, no corrosion dings or pits. It has checkered target grips without the diamond. I'm no authority but I think these are probably the wrong grips for this gun. I have three sets of the correct grips in very good shape that I bought for $5 each about 6yrs. ago. Overall a decent revolver. $597 OTD.

Would you expect an early K-38 Masterpiece, '47 or '48, to ship with magnas or targets? Were targets even an option that early?
Thanks

I have not seen a narrow rib with targets.

linde, I've got to get to Tulsa one year. That is nice, especially with the right box.

The consensus is that the target stock option first appeared in the January 1950 S&W Catalog.

Russ

Thank you. Yes, the Wanenmacher show in Tulsa is great for finding treasures. The Fall 2010 show is November 12, 13 and 14. Come early and stay late . . . it takes three days to see everything.

linde

Big Larry, I like your taste. Wish I could afford a nice early K-32 just to have and look at. Most I paid for a narrow rib was around nine hundred bucks a few years back, but it was almost impossible to upgrade(no box, tools, etc) and was a K-22. I'd pay that in a NY heartbeat for a K-38 in 99%+ condition with the numbered box if I had the dough. Trade something in a heartbeat for it. Paid six shipped for a K-38 with wrong numbered grips, light scratch on the sideplate about an inch long, and a loose front sight that looked a tad short in height, but possibly isn't. Something about those narrow ribs, but they all are nice.

Last Reno show, I bought a minty 4 screw K38 in its original box and paid $600. for it. I wanted a 5 screw but there were only two K38's at the show and the other one was really messed up. There were no K22's at that show and it is a very big show. I am on a quest for a light bbl. K38 Target Masterpiece. I am not really a S&W collector. I collect US marked heavy bbl. target rifles, and Winchester M52's. I just wanted to put a few Smiths away. The K38 I bought, I gave to an old friend. I owe him big time. Big Larry

Howdy,

I'm new here and was wondering if those with intimate knowledge of the S&W K-38 could help me with a few questions regarding my handgun.

I just traded for what I believe to be a K-38 with a serial number of K42XXX. I was told it is a 1948. It looks almost like new. The serial number is on the butt (underside of frame) and the same number is on the cylinder. The inside of frame (and part that holds the cylinder) has a different number which is 33XXX. Is this common (to have two different numbers on the same K-38)?

It has the tapered barrel, square grip. I have photos of close ups.

Thanks.

Edward, welcome to the forum.

In older guns, the numbers you see on the frame under the yoke when you swing it open are fitting numbers. They can be ignored. The serial number, as you noted, is found on the butt of the gun, the rear face of the cylinder, and the flat underside of the barrel. You can also see them in a couple of other places that are harder to read unless you take the gun apart.

In recent decades, the company has put serial numbers on the frame under the yoke along with the model number. This can cause confusion for people who buy both newer and older guns. When I buy an older gun, I always watch the registration process carefully to make sure my FFL gets the right number as the serial number. Even the professionals can get confused.

As to the date --- yes, a serial number K42xxx would have shipped in 1948.

Please post pictures. Don't be afraid to start your own thread.

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David Wilson

Glad you answered my question. I was worried there for a few days. Indeed the underside of the barrel does match the frame and cylinder serial number.

Thank you

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In general would a pre-Model 15 "Combat Masterpiece" qualify as C&R?

The pistol I have is #K321xxx, and I can't really place a date.

I did send $50 to Mr. Jinks for a certificate.

Any "Pre" gun is enjoys C&R status. Model numbers were introduced in 1957, which is more than 50 years ago. So any gun produced before a model number was assigned to it is automatically C&R.

Your Pre-15 would have shipped about the time model numbers were introduced; it's probably one of the last ones shipped without a model number stamped on it.

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David Wilson

@DCWilson, thank you.

Hopefully mine has a rich and colorful history...will wait on Mr. Jinks' letter.

For Edward L. The grips on that K38 do not appear to be original. Are they numbered to the gun? Shouldn't they have diamond centers? Thanks, Big Larry

Yes the grips should have the diamond in the grip. I have a 22 target masterpice made in 1947. 85% it is my shooter. I have seen the grips sell for over $100.

Big L,

I looked at many photos. I think you are correct. All the numbers match otherwise but at some point I assume the owner had other more comfortable grips on it and tossed the originals. Then another owner found some newer S&W grips and placed them on. Beside the grips all else looks good. Being that I am not a collector, that doesn't bother me, especially considering what I have $ into it. I'm a happy camper.

Russ,

I love your K38 pics... It looks as good as the one I have. Which is K45301 What are the odds of that...???
-Matt

That's really neat! The odds of finding consecutive serial numbers is slim enough, but being the same model in the same condition gets pretty remote. We'll have to plan a reunion for them!

Congratulations and welcome to the Forum,

Russ

Just purchased this last week. I shot it today. What a sweet gun and very accurate.

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Since this post started, I have acquired two with the tapered bbl. and one with the standard bbl. All three have boxes. Big Larry

How about some pics?

One of my big regrets was passing up a one line K38 with large ejector knob at Orlando last year.
It had a slight premium at $800 but how many of those are in existance?

Few; I bet they are measured in dozens rather than hundreds.

I would have whipped out my wallet for an $800 large knob K-38 so fast it would have created a micro tornado that upset adjacent tables and sent nearby association members spinning toward the ceiling. I feel your pain.

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David Wilson

You and me both Dave. That was a real good price on that gun and if not wanted, it would have been great for making a couple hundred in profit even on this forum. Lets face it, they are much rarer than a $2,000 K-32. Engine49guy, you should be horsewhipped. Shame on you. Big Larry

I know I know...rub it in I deserve it.....
In my defense Im a big K22 fan and had to choose two of three guns as I didnt have enough cash,
1) A Pre war K22 OD with S&W factory grip adapter,
2) A Large Knob one line K22 (at the time I did not have one)
3) The one line large knob k38

At a Las Vegas gun show a few years back, I spotted a 99% pre war M70 Winchester that was US marked. price was $2,500. I didn't have the $$$ but I was not going to let that rifle go, so I went to the Rolex dealer that comes to the high end shows, and offered up my two tone Submariner. He agreed to give me $4,000 for the watch, so I went back to the dealer with the M70 and confirmed our deal. I then went back to sell my watch and the Rolex dealer changed his mind. What to do now? I went to the casino's cashier cage and borrowed $2,500 on my credit card, and bought the rifle. Didn't have it a week before I sold it to a friend. Paid off the credit card, and still have that real nice blue face two tone Submariner which I had bought with gun deal profits. There are ways to get $$$$. I have lost a few nice guns in the past from lack of $$$, but it won't happen again, that's for sure. Too bad you didn't get a number, someone on this Forum would really liked to have bought that gun, including me. Big Larry

Then you are forgiven. But you won't do it again, right? Because now you know where your priorities are.

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David Wilson

A good man always knows his limitations. Dirty Harry

The story does have a sort of happy ending,
It had to be one of our members that ended up with that K38 as the Orlando event was actually last years SWCA meeting,

Also although I didnt have the full $800 for the K38 I did have $350 left when a small group of us made a quick day trip
up to a little gun show about 45 minutes drive NE where I found this 19-2 hiding under a set of Pachmayers,
Offered my last $350 and still have it today.
Perhaps it was fate?

I would love to see some pics of one these K38s!