Picked this one up a while back at a gun show. It was in a case mixed with a bunch of other misc revolvers. I noticed it was a S&W K38. It had what appeared to be fake stag grips. The barrel and sight combo looked odd to me, but I negotiated with the seller and got it for a steal. When I got it home, I started looking at it closer and noticed the grips, although kinda thin, were real stag. It has all matching numbered parts..frame, cylinder, barrel, etc. It's in good shape with just some honest wear. No rust or pitting. Serial# K790xx. From what I researched, it was made around 1949. I put some beater target grips on it. At the range, with my handloads, it's crazy accurate in double action.

Now for the big question...Is the barrel/sight configuration factory or modified? With the non-tapered barrel, wide rib, and patridge front sight, I first thought it may be a 6" that was cut down to 4". However, the more I looked at it and compared to my other older Smiths, the more it looked factory. One thing I noticed missing was the pin for the front sight. I had an old pistol smith look at it and he said it looked factory. Another local, with quite a nice collection, seems to think it's factory as well.

Have any of you seen a barrel/sight configuration like this one? Would this be considered a combat or target masterpiece?

I'm in the process of getting it lettered, but I thought some might like to see it, and maybe provide a little input. I love the way it took 68 years to acquire this finish. It's my favorite shooter and never misses a range trip or a trip to the camp!

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Looks to me to be a K38 Masterpiece, that's had it's 6" barrel shortened and a Patridge sight installed, albeit quite a bit short of the muzzle as S&W would have manufactured it much closer. Have you measured the barrel?
Definitely not a Combat Masterpiece, as the frame is wrong for it.

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It's a great prize you stole there.

It's definitely a very early K38 Combat Masterpiece with proper Patridge front sight; only later did it acquire the Baughman quick draw ramp sight.
It became the Mod 15.

It has the first short action style hammer called the high speed action/hammer.

The wide rib barrel and heavy barrel came much later on a 2" model called the Mod 56 which became the Mod 15-2. Since the barrel is numbered to match the gun, it's likely been replaced at the factory with a cut down 6" Masterpiece barrel.


Is there a star following the s/n on the butt?
Is there a date stamped on left side of grip frame at the toe?
Is there a small diamond following the s/n under the barrel?

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Hondo....no star following s/n on butt, no small diamond following s/n on barrel, no date stamped on left side of grip frame at the toe. There is a "6" stamped on right side of grip frame below locating pin for the grip.

19leben..yes the sight is further back on the rib...about 3/16-1/4" from the muzzle. Barrel is exactly 4" from front of cylinder to the muzzle. Pin for barrel if flawless...not flattened or dinged at all. It looks to be factory installed.

Hondo I'll defer to your superior knowledge, but I wasn't aware that any, even earlier Combat Masterpiece revolvers came with the heavy barrel, as this one surely has.
The only Combat Masterpiece revolvers with a heavy barrel would be the later 2" model marked guns.

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That confirms 19leben is correct. It's a K38 Masteroiece with a cut down barrel. The wide rib on those began at # K25000.

And it's a very cool one of s kind!

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Nope, I have to defer to you. You got it correct right off. I suspected a replaced custom length wide rib barrel.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

All things considered (and believe it or not), I'm going to shut-up and listen.

Ralph Tremaine

19leben is correct about the front sight base being further from muzzle than on the 6" barrel.

However, the work does look flawless; this may be worth a letter just to make sure it's not a special order Combat Mast. or spl order Masterpiece with short barrel from the factory. It could be either and whichever, would be a rarity if so!

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

I just sent in the request form for a factory letter. I will update when I get it back.

I really appreciate the input. I love revolvers, but I find the history behind these older guns especially interesting.

I joined this forum in 2009. I did much reading, soaking up lots of info and looking at pics of awesome revolvers and pistols. I made my first post around 2013 when I lucked upon another odd revolver. A nickel, 1966 14-2 Dayton gun (Hanen Special). The last year or so Ive been heavy into the S&W pre-lock revolvers....picked up 5 in the last 3mos. I have been shooting lots o 38spl at the range, too! Lol

I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge that's found on this board. I've been absorbing it like a sponge. Thanks again guys!