I'm new to this forum but judging by the threads and posts this is the place to be for very sound advice. Last week I came into possession of my grandfather's S&W revolver. He was a reserve police officer and competitive shooter (local level stuff) back in the 1950's. Here's what I know or think I know. The revolver has a (6) inch barrel (38 S&W Special CTG), adjustable post war rear sight, (5) screws, and the serial number on the butt is K 112XXX. I think it puts the revolver at about 1951. The stock/grips are target with no serial numbers and are stamped "Made in Italy." The trigger is fitted for target shooting. Pre-1957 S&W revolver identification seems confusing to me, which is why I'm here. Questions:1) What model is this revolver? 2) Is this a target pistol with correctly installed factory grips / trigger or a police type revolver that my grandfather put aftermarket grips on. I collect WW1 militaria and am a stickler for detail. If the grips are aftermarket I want to start searching for correct period Magna grips.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Attached Images

K frame.jpg (76.3 KB, 131 views)

K104,048 – K136,690...1951 (manufacture)
It's called a "K-38 Masterpiece Target Revolver" and that is what it said on the box. The grips are not factory original, not unusual, as at that time the factory supplied only the standard Magna service grips of the "sharp shoulder" type. If a shooter wanted a pair of target grips, he bought them somewhere else. There were many grip makers. Someone may be able to identify who made yours.

Welcome! This is a K-38 Masterpiece from the year you mentioned. In 1957 it was called the model 14. The trigger shoe and stocks are aftermarket; the latter were probably made by Sile. Walnut Magna stocks with the uncheckered diamond around the stock screw would be correct.

Your grandfather had excellent taste in firearms. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

The grips are aftermarket, from an outfit named Sile.

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SWHF #448

Thanks for the help and very quick responses.

This is what you should look for - try eBay.

PS: Today the trigger shoe is considered slightly unsafe as it extends past the edges of the trigger guard. Also ugly. I would lose it.

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No life story has happy end.

Trigger shoes were highly popular among both rifle and handgun (both revolver and semi-auto) competitive shooters, at least through the 1960s. They may still be available. The trigger shoe gave a larger surface area for trigger finger pad contact, and many shooters felt it gave the feeling of a lighter and more controllable trigger pull. Its presence suggests that your grandfather may well have done some competitive handgun shooting. For that reason alone, I recommend that you not throw it away or sell it, but keep it on, or at least with, the K-38.

I want to thank everyone for their input. I got lucky and found the correct Magna grips on ebay today and won the auction. They're off a 1950 K frame with serial number 96960. A bit pricey but at least the revolver will be in it's original configuration. I'll keep the target grips and trigger shoe in a separate bag with the pistol for the memories.

Thanks guys.