I am looking to possibly purchase a nickel Combat Masterpiece SN K 248399. Blue sights, color case hammer and trigger. "N" stamped on left side grip frame. I am looking for opinions and help on value.......
Pics:

Catalog dates it to 1955.
If it is all original I'd say it's worth at least $500.
I have one that is blued that is about a year newer. it is one of the best shooting K-Frames I have.
I paid $200 for it about 17 years ago.
Jim

You know we had the grips off so I could locate the N, and forgot to check the grips to see if SN matched. They were still doing that in 1955 I presume?

Yes, stocks should be numbered. $500 might be a bit optimistic for a seller; where I shop I'd expect to buy a well used pre-15 in the $400 range. Bought a blue one in 95ish % condition with stocks numbered to the gun for $450 last year. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I sold a nickeled one made in 1956 about 4-5 years ago in its gold box for $1000.00 It was in really good shape and no scratches on it though.

Prices are thru roof on nice S&W's now a days. About 4 months ago at a gunshow a fellow had a Model 15, not pre. and was would not budge off of $650.00. I had to let him keep it, but I think if I see one at that price again, I might go for it.
Every day there is less of them

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A Snider squibbed n the Jungle

One of my real regrets that about a year ago, I passed on a 95+% CM (blued) from the early 1950s, in box, for $550. He wanted cash and i didn't have it.

This nickel CM is available for $450. I had them pull it off the shelf and hold it for me. I'll pick it up maybe this weekend.
Thanks for all the replies.
When I have it home I'll clean it up and post more pictures.

I have a blued one - K248663 which puts it pretty close to yours!

I bought mine two years ago - no box, no papers and grips weren't original. I paid $325.00 (if I remember correctly) - it's about 90 - 95%. A great shooter! I was very happy to get it and felt it was priced a little cheaper than it should have been. I went in to buy a 1952 is 5" M & P - same year that I was born. I spotted the CM and both the 5" M & P and the CM came home with me.

Nickel Pre 15's are not very common but in that condition we are talking about a shooter grade gun so the nickel finish adds no value IMO.

$450 is not an outrageous asking price but shooter grade 15's can be found for les if your looking for a shooter.

If your looking for something collectable I would keep looking for something in higher condition.

I'm not a collector in the strictest sense. I do like to shoot my guns. However, I don't often see a lot of older Smiths around my city so I can't afford to pass them up when they're priced somewhat reasonably.

Guess I shouldn't have laughed so hard at a blued CM with a faint turn line and immaculate magnas in gold box for $650 today? First the Ns, now the Ks.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

In looking at the pictures of the CM again I see some flecking of the nickel at the muzzle. And maybe even a little rust around the sight. In thinking it over again, I would say $450.00 might be a tad high. If the nickel finish is not perfect, or at lest not missing in places I think the value drops quite a bit. JMO

P

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A Snider squibbed n the Jungle

The problem with a nickel finish having spots that are a little worn off, rusted through or flaking is like saying my GF is jus a little bit pregnant...

It either is or it isn't...IMO

No flaking or rust that I could see. Like I said it needs a good cleaning.

Looks sort of rough to me, especially the stocks.

I'd expect to see it tagged about $475-500 range, and sell for $400-450.

If I was to buy it, I'd take some Flitz and an old T-shirt to it and polish it up a bit. I might try to clean those stocks, probably with Murphy's oil soap and a soft toothbrush. You haven't got much to lose really.

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John 3:16 .

Jusy buy it. You won't get hurt.

I think you did fine on it. It will clean up well with some Flitz and be an attractive range gun that any of us would be proud to own.

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Ash

I'd buy that in the $400 range all day long. Wouldn't find any at the LGS for less that $600 in this neck of the woods. $450 is a great price.

My favorite shooter...

I paid a whole lot more for mine about a year ago from David Carroll. But it letters to have shipped to the General himself at Quantico, VA and is one of the very early ones. But I have no regrets. Prices keep climbing.

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Get off my lawn!

19leben...Exciting news! Just received archive letter back from Roy Jinks on my K38 confirming original nickel finish. It shipped to H.H. Harris Co. Chicago, IL on June 4, 1957. I was pretty sure it was original but nice to have confirmation. Don't know how many are out there but sure would like to see forum members share their pictures, thoughts, and how they came about acquiring these rather hard to find babies. What is your recommendation? Ray

Attached Images

	S&W Pre 15 Nickel lettered -1.jpg (47.5 KB, 27 views)
	S&W Pre 15 Nickel Lettered -2.jpg (59.3 KB, 25 views)
	S&W K38 Masterpiece Nickel.jpg (78.4 KB, 37 views)

This is a two year old thread but love looking at the photos. Beautiful Combat Masterpiece SFIDEC.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Don't see many of these with options. This one remains MIB, numbered and options written in with black marker. It has an early target hammer, and a set of non relieved walnut diamond center target stocks. All lettered. Shipped in 1953. Big Larry

MIB? What's that, 'Mazing in Box?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

So the 4" K-38's came in the K38 Masterpiece box?

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

A lot of them did. The overlabel shows what was actually in the box. Big Larry