Ok, so guy emails me and tells me he has an old long barrel 38 Special for sale. He specifically asked me not to post photos online so I cannot. But I can tell you from the pics, it is a 5 screw, with 6 inch barrel, maybe 6.5, one line trademark, partridge front, adjustable rear sight, it has target or coke grips with diamonds. Now here is the part I'm unclear on, he wants approximately 500$, and it's a 90% gun, so I was wondering would that be a decent buy?

Thanks Guys

The K frame targets would not be 'Cokes' ,if they are they are worth
lots of money.

I just paid $433.00 from a dealer for a 1948 K-38 Masterpiece and
felt I got a fair deal.

K-38 Masterpiece 1948. Pictures

Negotiate down as far as you can go and make the deal if you really
want the gun.

$500. for the gun in question at %90% might be a bit high.

Good luck
Allen Frame

By the way Jesse , a partridge is a bird in a pear tree at Christmas time.

Patridge is the name of the designer of the Patridge sight blad on your prospective gun.

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Sorry to be suspicious, but alarm bells are going off.

Does the serial number have a K prefix? Is the front sight mounted on a grooved barrel rib? Or just directly on a base that is integral with an unribbed barrel?

I don't know why anybody would object to the posting of a gun's photograph if he wanted to make a righteous sale to a well-informed purchaser.

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David Wilson

That just seems odd.



90 percent can be very subjective. $500 seems on the high side to me given the details. But maybe I'm overly cautious of the requirement to not seek help via pics of the actual gun...

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Regards, Ty

Hey All,

Just emailed seller back, said he simply doesn't want me posting pics in a public forum. Mr. Wilson, if you or someone else would like I can email you a few pictures.

Thanks

The front sight is attached via a barrel rib Mr. Wilson

There are a few problems here. First, your description does not specify exactly what the model is. Is the barrel length 6"? Measure from the face of the cylinder to the muzzle. What is the serial number? Is there a prefix letter in front of the serial number. Does the gun have the proper serial numbers stamped where they are supposed to be? How do you know it is a 5 screw? Is the right stock serial numbered to the gun? Are there any re-work or re-finish stamps on the grip frame? Lastly, if the seller is objectionable to posting pictures so you can verify exactly what you are buying tell him to sell his secret gun some where else!

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Doug

The S/N is K76413, and seller says he cannot see any pencil marks on grips, he is an older guy though.

I know it's a 5 screw from the pictures and what you guys have taught me! there is no model number so I know it's a pre 57, as for the other s/n locations, I will ask tomorrow, they should be under the ejector rod on barrel and on the rear face of cylinder right? As for factory rework marks, no stars nor dates.

That gun probably shipped in 1949. Beyond that the serial number only indicates that it was a K frame. Also, as an additional question, is the finish luster or brite (gloss) polish?

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Doug

Oh Doug, as for the barrel length, can't measure yet because haven't met the gun in person yet

Serial number should also appear on the butt end of the grip frame.

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Doug

Thanks, Jesse. With the additional info it sounds like a righteous Pre-Model 14. The serial number places it in 1949. Target stocks would not be original at that time, but would have been available for separate purchase just a few months later.

As to value, a 90% gun can actually be fairly rough in its appearance. If this one has a sound action to offset the finish wear, it could be worth $500. If others would call it a 95% gun (which is possible), $500 becomes a good price.

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David Wilson

I'm not familiar with the differences in finish you are referring to, could you enlighten me? As for the s/n that's where I got the one I gave from.

One last thing guys, the remark about the finish had me reexamining the pictures and now I notice that the barrel seems just a wee bit brighter than the frame, my mind immediately thinks cold blue or barrel replacement. Assuming the latter, the barrel will carry a different s/n. But in the case of the former, how much does this reduve the value of the gun?

Friend,, look at the pictures in the link to my thread and compare the two guns.
Mine is earlier than yours and has a 4 line address.

It has the dull finish of the period 1948-1949.

Basically, until you see it in person and check the take up and
how much it has been used,, a few pictures are not going to do you
much good.

$300. to $400. for one of these old shooters is fair.

If the seller thinks he has a piece of Post-war gold just pass until
he comes back down to earth.

Good Luck
Allen

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Isn't that serial number a bit too high for a one line gun?

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Seller indicates made in usa is the only marking he sees, his pictures are subpar, but from what I can see it is a one liner. However, I will let you guys know when I get to see the gun in person.

If you have a Blue Book of Gun Values or access to one (any gunshop will have one) check the photographs in the front of the book to give you an idea of judging blue wear percentages.

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Jim
S&WCA #819