K38

[Muley4x4]

I bought a K38 made in 1956 or 1957. It has a 4" barrel. Original owner passed away and his grandchildren found it wrapped in a sock, in a box in the top of a closet. Honestly, the metal looks perfect. No obvious marks. Metal looks about as close to new as possible. Slight...very slight cylinder ring. Wood grips look good. Very small slight imperfection (small indentation) above the S&W logo on one grip. I think this was quite a find. No box of course. Any idea as to the value in CA?

Thanks in advance!

Muley

[DCWilson]

A couple of years ago I bought a very nice Combat Masterpiece in San Diego County for $400. This sounds a little better than that one and time has marched on, so... $475-500.

[Art Doc]

CA handgun prices are inflated due to the Draconian and clearly unconstitutional laws imposed by moronic despots elected to positions of power by moronic voters. Most pistols are deemed unsafe (unless a hefty bribe is paid to the crooked depots which makes the gun suddenly safe) so CA residents are restricted not only in their Constitutional rights but in which guns they may legally purchase. This drives the price up as fewer guns are available to the law-abiding. The criminals, of course, ignore the ridiculous laws and arm themselves at will through unlawful channels.

This gun is over 50 years old so it's a Curio & Relic class handgun and as such the stupid and illegal law exempts it. In theory C&R pistols should not cost more in CA because the morons have excluded them from importation restrictions but given the unfortunate anti-Constitution and anti-gun environment in CA even these guns are subject to value inflation.

In the free states this revolver would likely sell for around $400 +/- but in the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia (and I anxiously await the revolution to take the state back from the despots and morons) you can probably add another $100 or so.

Yes, I am in a mood, today.

[growr]

Saxon...you are in rare form today! I like it.....

Randy

[Rawhyde]

Originally Posted by growr

Saxon...you are in rare form today! I like it.....

Randy

He's just like a big league umpire...calls 'em like he sees 'em!

[fyimo]

Probably in CA it's probably be worth $500 here it's worth $400 to $450 max.

[bballwizard05]

SaxonPig nailed it on the head. Our here in Kalifornia, getting an "off roster" handgun is probably the equivalent of trying to get a full-auto in other free states. Change is in the wind however, I'm a member of a very large, and VERY active gun forum here called Calguns. Some of the original members invented the "bullet-button" allowing us to have AR's/AK's (currently under legislative attack though).

Anyways, I recently bought a pre-15 combat masterpiece from a single owner, for $400. There are deals out here, and often times calguns is the best place to look.

[KEN L]

Originally Posted by Muley4x4

I bought a K38 made in 1956 or 1957. It has a 4" barrel. Original owner passed away and his grandchildren found it wrapped in a sock, in a box in the top of a closet. Honestly, the metal looks perfect. No obvious marks. Metal looks about as close to new as possible. Slight...very slight cylinder ring. Wood grips look good. Very small slight imperfection (small indentation) above the S&W logo on one grip. I think this was quite a find. No box of course. Any idea as to the value in CA?

Thanks in advance!

Muley

Of course you know.........

[Engine49guy]

Congrats on your CM find,
Agreed $450 in free states and slightly higher in
"The land of fruits and nuts"....Sorry...had to go there.

[CALREB]

The thing about CA is you have to be patient. Yes, you can jump on an inflated priced gun if you gotta have it, but usually if you keep your eyes open good deals are here.

[DCWilson]

Originally Posted by CALREB

The thing about CA is you have to be patient. Yes, you can jump on an inflated priced gun if you gotta have it, but usually if you keep your eyes open good deals are here.

This is true. Regardless of the overall market in any region, good buys can be found anywhere.

[BigBill]

Is this one of the K38 combat masterpiece 38 specials? A guy on you tube says if its a 4 or 5 screw it matters also. He said that certain ones can be worth up to $1,500.