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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 05-31-2013, 12:49 AM
realmswalker realmswalker is offline
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Default Hep ID a revolver please

Hello everyone, I am brand new here and was wondering if someone could help me ID this revolver. It was my grandfathers gun when he was a reserve with Montebello PD. Based on the pics, I think it's a model 14 k-38 masterpiece, but the serial numbers on the frame don't match the barrel, can someone please help me out based on these pictures?

And maybe a value as I am purchasing firearm insurance.

Thank you, Adam

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Old 05-31-2013, 12:54 AM
Jim Watson Jim Watson is online now
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One more time.
The number on and under the yoke is NOT the serial number of a S&W of that vintage. It is a factory fitting number with no meaning after the gun is finished.
The official legal recordbook serial number is on the bottom of the butt, here covered by the target stocks. It SHOULD be repeated on the bottom of the barrel and the rear face of the cylinder. But the one on the butt is the gun's legal serial number.
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Old 05-31-2013, 01:08 AM
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+ one on what Jim has said. The stocks currently on the gun were replaced at some time. I'll bet it is a real tack driver as K-38's tend to be. A fine 5 screw family heirloom. Personally I would insure it for at leat $600. That could be on the low side and others will surely have other opinions on insurance value.
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Old 05-31-2013, 07:14 AM
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Hello Adam and welcome to the forum,
You have a very nice revolver there. It's called a K38 Masterpiece. Yours was shipped before S&W model marked their revolvers. After 1957 it was known as the Model 14. I'm sure if you removed the target stocks you will find the matching serial number on the butt, to the one you see under the barrel, and there should be the corresponding number on the face of the cyclinder. As others have mentioned the numbers you see when you open the cylinder are assembly numbers to keep fitted parts together and mean nothing after the revolver is shipped from the factory. The target stocks that are on it are not origional to the revolver, although the target hammer probably is as this was a S&W option during that time period. The trigger shoe that is installed on the trigger was a common aftermarket add on. I have your revolvers older brother with serial # K220XXX which was shipped from the factory sometime in 1954, so your's was probably shipped fairly close. They are wonderful accurate revolvers that will bring a lifetime of service and certainly has a special place in your family as it was your Grandads. Best of luck with it and shoot it often.
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Old 05-31-2013, 08:25 AM
Green Frog Green Frog is online now
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+1 to everything my fellow members have said, especially the welcome and congratulations. Your grandfather (or his department's armorer) knew how to pick out a quality gun. The target grips are a bit of an anomaly but if they fit your hand, are a nice addition... my 1948 vintage K-38 had a similar pair when purchased, but then the seller found the originals as well so I got the best of both worlds. You might want to check with your grandfather's stuff if possible and see if they are stashed. They will be somewhat smaller (just frame-sized) and have the gun's serial number stamped inside the right panel.

A word of caution; while those trigger shoes were somewhat popular for target use, many LEOs discovered that they could cause problems with dragging in some holsters, allowing the possibility of an accidental discharge. For that reason they sort of faded from popularity. If you are going to carry it in a holster, be advised therefore.

Take care of it and shoot it (I would insure it for $750, BTW) and you will be able to pass it on to your grandkids. Just be sure to write down all the pertinent information about how and when it came into the family... that stuff is super valuable to preserve as time passes.

Regards,
Froggie
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Old 05-31-2013, 08:49 AM
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K231256 – K266154...1955

At that time your revolver was called the K38 Masterpiece, and after mid-1957 as the Model 14. There were also the K22 (.22 rimfire) and K32 (.32 S&W Long) Masterpiece revolvers, all designed to have approximately the same weight and balance. In those days, a form of handgun competition called 3-gun (.22, any centerfire, and .45 ACP) bullseye shooting was popular, with targets at 25 and 50 yards. Both the K22 and the K38 Masterpieces (and to a much lesser extent the K32) were commonly seen on the firing line for use in the .22 and "any centerfire" stages respectively. An essentially identical revolver, the Combat Masterpiece (later the Model 15), became very popular as a law enforcement sidearm. The Combat Masterpiece had a 4" barrel, as opposed to the 6" barrel of the K38 Masterpiece. While the K38 Masterpiece (6") was intended principally for competition shooting, it also saw limited service as a law enforcement duty weapon. Most law enforcement agencies preferred the shorter and handier Combat Masterpiece (4").

Last edited by DWalt; 05-31-2013 at 09:11 AM.
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Old 05-31-2013, 09:04 AM
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Thank you everyone for all your help and advice
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Old 05-31-2013, 10:41 AM
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Welcome, and stick around now that you have your info. This is a fascinating place to hang out and learn.
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Old 05-31-2013, 12:11 PM
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Don't buy insurance separately. Join the NRA instead. You get $2500 firearms insurance with your membership and can add more if you have or intend to acquire more guns. You also will support an organization dedicated to defending our rights to bear arms. Here's my .38 M&P Target, K38 Masterpiece and my Model 15 Combat Masterpiece:





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