A friend of mine has a 5 screw k-38 combat masterpiece barrel and cylinder with this stamp on the right side of the barrel. I think I remember a story of the British making an order for these and then canceling the order. Thanks for the help in advance.

Regards

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Mitch
SWCA 2597

S&W made short-action M&Ps in .38 S&W, so both Model 11 and Pre-11 guns are out there. When you say "combat," should I envision a round front sight with the rear half ramped like a 10-5, or a Baughman ramp pinned to a ribbed barrel? I am not aware that adjustable sight versions of the Model 11 were ever produced.

That's a pretty specific roll mark; I don't recall ever seeing anything that specific about bullet weight except on modern alloy guns where a heavy bullet could jump crimp and tie up a revolver.

Are we talking about just a loose cylinder and barrel? Does either piece have a serial number on it to indicate it was ever mounted on a K-frame?

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David Wilson

David,

The story I heard was that the British made a order with S&W to make these K38 combat masterpieces in the early 50's and canceled the order after production was started. The barrel and cylinder have never been struck with a serial number or mounted to a gun. If you pm me your email address I can send you pics. I can't post pics off my phone, I'm on the road today.

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Mitch
SWCA 2597

Thanks, Mitch. PM incoming.

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David Wilson

I recall seeing those "146 grain" K38 barrels in factory wrap at gun shows all through the 1970s.

Here are pictures of the barrel and cylinder. This barrel and cylinder is for 38 S&W 146 grain bullet and not the 38 S&W special. This set was one of two sold at the S&WCA convention in either 2010 or 2011. Both sets were donated by Bill Orr (one of the founders of S&WCA) for the S&WCA benefit auction. The other set was bought by serious K-Frame collector and he doubted he would ever find an original so he had one built with the set he bought.

Attached Images

	K38 barrel and cylinder 5.jpg (12.4 KB, 791 views)
	K38 barrel and cylinder 2.jpg (9.7 KB, 787 views)
	K38 barrel and cylinder.jpg (14.9 KB, 743 views)
	K38 barrel and cylinder 1.jpg (15.3 KB, 732 views)

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Mitch
SWCA 2597

What did i do wrong posting pictures? Usually they are pictures and not the name of the picture.

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Mitch
SWCA 2597

Thanks Model19!

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Mitch
SWCA 2597

The serial number range for this order was K80,000. Only a few were assembled and the rest of the barrels and cylinders were never used, I'm assuming because of the stamping on the side of the barrel. If any knows any more info on these I would appreciate any information.

Regards

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Mitch
SWCA 2597

Well I had one arrive today in the mail I purchased K38 Masterpiece from 1952 -53 and it has this so call 38 S&W ctg. 146 gr. 6" barrel on it the PO had the barrel replaced as the old heavy barrel had a slight bulged in it.
Has the original cylinder in 38 special it won't take 38 S&W ctg. round.

All serial matching except for the grips and barrel no serial numbers on the barrel.

Some Gunsmith in Ontario Canada did the swap where he got the barrel is a good question as maybe S&W sold these as replacement barrels up here in Canada.

Maybe target barrels for the 146 gr. hollow based Wad Cutter rounds.

The barrel is identical to the Pre & Model 14 barrels only missing the "Special" the rib on top of the barrel is like my 14-2 Can't wait to shoot it and try it out..

Attached Images

	01 S&W M14 - Full Right.jpg (96.2 KB, 55 views)
	02 S&W M14 - Full Left.jpg (95.8 KB, 46 views)

Target wadcutter bullets usually weigh a nominal 148 grains, not 146. The 146 is the normal RN lead bullet for the .38 S&W ctg., called .38-200 by the British when loaded with the heavier bullet. WW II and later military issues had 178 grain FMJ bullets.

Some bullets and some bores will shoot .38 Special bullets well in .38 S&W barrels. But usually, the larger .38 S&W bore is a loose fit for the smaller .38 Special bullet, which is typically .357"-.358". The .38 S&W has dimensions of .359-.360 inch.

I suspect that the HB wadcutter bullets will obturate to fit the larger barrel well, if the gun is mainly for target shooting or for taking small game.

Jacketed or hard lead bullets may not do as well in the larger barrels. That includes wadcutters that are solid base, not hollow.

It wouldn't amaze me if the .38 S&W barrels and cylinders were intended for sale on guns sent to Canada, where the military used .38-200 S&W's before adopting the Browning Hi-Power. But perhaps the order was cancelled, as Canadians probably just prefer the usual .38 Special ctg. in target revolvers.

The RCMP adopted M&P/Model 10 revolvers in 1954, but these were all in 38 Special, as far as I know. And no target versions, unless they had them for shooting teams. Service barrels were five inches for that force.

Hey Mitch, thanks for sharing.....an interesting piece for sure!

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303