I bought a pre-model K38 Combat Masterpiece as a shooter awhile back. It was in excellent mechanical condition, and had just two cosmetic issues aside from normal bluing loss on the high spots and having been handled and shot some: some white freckles in the finish on the right-hand side near the S&W mark, and some numbers someone had carefully scratched into the part of the frame underneath the cylinder. (Probably their social security number.) It's not visible when the cylinder is closed, obviously, but it's there.

Otherwise, the revolver is in really good shape. Original tapered shoulder diamond magnas numbered to the gun (K266xxx), proper numbers on the frame, butt, and cylinder, and good case coloring still on the hammer ("fish-hook" style) and trigger. If memory serves, this would likely have been shipped in 1954 or 1955 but you guys are the experts on that.

It'll never be a collector-grade gun again, and might be a candidate for re-bluing even though the finish is in pretty nice shape other than mentioned above. It's a fine example of the model, with an action that is very smooth per the production quality of the 1950's era guns. Good rifling in the bore, chambers are in good shape, and those stocks are in darn good shape with no cracks or broken areas, just one dent near the horn of one of them. Proper medallions and backing discs.

I bought some nice refinished S&W Goncalo Alves target stocks to dress it up a bit, and they cover most of the freckles on the non-relieved side. I'd probably let those stocks go with the revolver along with the magnas of course. No box or papers.

I know what it was worth to me at the time, but just so I'll be well-informed, if you'd care to offer an idea of what this would go for in your neck of the woods, I'd be mighty obliged to know. This isn't a solicitation for offers, as I haven't made a final decision on selling yet, but I lucked upon a great 66-1 recently that meets my needs for .38 Special (as well as .357 Magnum, of course) so I'm inclined to let that one stand in for the K38.

Thanks.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

K266xxx, while made earlier, probably shipped in 1957-58, as I show numerous examples on my list with slightly lower SNs which did. The closest I have is SN K2647xx shipping in 6/57. Yours is a shooter grade, but still desirable. I've seen similar ones priced in the $500-$600 range, but pricing in some areas of the country could be outside that range in either direction. I have kicked myself repeatedly for passing up an early 1950s CM in near-100% condition offered for $450 a couple of years ago. Were I in your position I would not even remotely consider refinishing it.

In this part of the world it would sell for $650, depending on condition.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

FWIW, over the past year I've see several nice examples sell for between $450 - $550 at auctions and gun shows. With and without box and extras.
Have also seen good shooter grades that were obviously reblued or with rubber grips not sell at shows when they are price greater than $450. There were a bunch of police buy back model 15s selling for around $250 at a Harrisburg GS last spring. They showed lots of use.

John

I do not have any options but to do my research and buying online, since there are few gun shops or gun shows nearby. I am, familiar with what guns bring at national online gun auctions and would say that a shooter grade Combat Masterpiece can be purchased for around $500. If you only do your online gun shopping at Gunbroker,add at least $100 to my estimate.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I found one at a gun show in Florida a few years ago. 1954 vintage with nice diamond magnas that did not match the gun. A little holster wear at the muzzle but no other finish issues and mechanically it checked out fine. It had a thin ribbed trigger and the target hammer. $425.

First time out with it I shot the absolute best group of my life. The first 5 went in the same hole but by then I was giggling a little so the 6th was about an inch off.

Thanks for the information, everyone. I paid $550 for it on GB because, at the time it was for sale and I had the itch to get one, it was the best combination of price and condition I could find.

I'm in a dilemma now, though, because thanks to the date information you've provided, I realize that this revolver comes pretty close to being a birth year gun for me. (I'm a 6/1956 model myself. ) I might have to hold on to it just because that kind of karma is hard to ignore.....

Thanks again for your opinions.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

I have NEVER understood idiots who scratch their DL or SS numbers on guns. I guess that silly ol' SERIAL NUMBER stamped on it wasn't good enough? I bought a Colt LW Commander in 38 Super many years ago and when I removed the stocks there was some moron's SS number crudely scratched on the frame.

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No life story has happy end.

PS: I paid $135 for my 1952 CM but I guess that was some time ago. They may bring more now.

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No life story has happy end.

Boy howdy that must have been a while ago, before the beard turned white? LOL... My buddy found a real bargain on one in very nice shape for $450 at the Costa Mesa show here in Southern California a couple of years ago and that was a steal. There seems to be quite a few S&W collectors around these parts and it seems prices are about 15%-20% higher than less densely populated locales.

It was about 10 years ago. Maybe 15 years ago I paid $165 for a nickel 15-3 at a local show. Guess I paid too much for that one.

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No life story has happy end.