Some years back , when I knew a lot less about handguns than I now know , I saw a Smith & Wesson revolver in the LGS and went all ga-ga over it. Had to have it. Never gave a moment's thought to the originality of the nickel finish - had to have it. Since then I have learned a lot , much of that knowledge coming from this excellent forum. I look at my .38 and think , well ......

Today is the day of reckoning.

Ser# K 281552. ('56/'57 , I think.) No "N" stamp present.
Front sight is nickel plated.

So , give it to me straight - Is my Combat Masterpiece original or refinished? I'm all grown up now , I can take it.

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Well it should have had an N stamped on the face of the cylinder and on the butt frame when you remove the stocks. At least that is what I know.... and what is on my nickel SWs.But I am limited in what I know.

More, and sharper, pictures would help in assessing originality. From what I can see, I'd say refinish. I'm making that call from the barrel stamping which does not appear to be sharp suggesting some buffing before a renickel. Pictures of the S&W logo and frame areas around the screws would be helpful. Either way, nice gun and a great shooter I expect.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Came up with a nickel 15-3 the same way
At least it was cheap!

Refinish IMHO. It appears to me that the corrosion on the hammer doesn't match the rest of the finish.

I think it's non-original. Something mangy is going on with that trigger and hammer which I think should be case colored.

Post both sides of the naked grip frame and someone will divine the markings.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

Without the N stamp(s), it's probably not original.
K 281552 probably shipped around late 1956-early 1957. Your original assumption is correct.

Knowing what to look for , I have collected some damning evidence. Let's get this over with.

After viewing the five images I do not expect the jury to be out very long.

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I think you know the answer.... that is not a factory nickel gun...

Well, the extractor star is a correct blue color, but everything else points to the refinish, especially the lack of any "N" stamps and the closeup of the sideplate with the rounded edges.

Whichever it is, I'd keep shooting and enjoying it.
After all, it is still a Combat Masterpiece, one of the sweetest .38s ever made.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Would a factory nickel revolver have the front sight blade nickeled?

Mine is, and I know it's original because I bought it new in the gray box.

From what K frames I have looked at, pre model and model marked 17-18-19s have had the black front sight. At some -2s I see both and at -3 all nickel.

The N stamp on the frame most often, but on the cylinder is hit or miss.

I have a 1957 shipped with nickel finish, Combat Masterpiece and it doesn't have the N on the cylinder, but it DOES have the N stamped on the left side of the grip frame. Also has a blue front sight. Don't know if this helps.

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I'd say that the image showing the lower letters of REG US PAT OFF beneath the Smith & Wesson logo being partially buffed away pretty much nails it. I could possibly kid myself through the lack of the N stamp , but the combination of the different bits of evidence appears overwhelming.

So , I have to look at it the following way --- Gaga is not the best basis upon which to make a decision. That said , I was so smitten with the appearance , proportions and feel of the K38 that I just had to have it , and I still feel that way. The biggest benefit to me is that this revolver is the one with which I became a reasonably good shooter. It is just so easy and intuitive to put rounds on target - this is the first handgun with which I developed confidence. How does one put a price on confidence? Also - it was my first K frame , my introduction to the ideal frame size for the .38 special round. (My favorite frame size to date, all manufacturers included.) To this day the old nickel Smith is a head turner on the range.

It is still a nice old gun ; a fabulous shooter. It's a keeper. HOWEVER - I won't get fooled again.

My thanks to the jury.