Need help identifying this gun.

[georam1]

Please help me ID this gun. I would like to know when it was made and it's approx value.
It does not appear to have a model number on the yoke. The barrel is 6" long. The seral number on the gun is K 278948
It has 38 S&W special CTG on the barrel. It has adjustable rear sights. I'm going to try to attach two pictures.
Thanks!!!

[epj]

Well, it's a K38 with aftermarket stocks. Open the cylinder and look inside the crane. There may be a model number. Like in Mod 15 or 15-X. If not, it's pre 1957-8, and is simply a 38 Masterpiece. Someone will be along with more information shortly.

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! As my fellow Alabamian says, it is known as the K38 Masterpiece and likely shipped in 1956. In 1957, it would be given the Model number 14. The K38 Masterpiece was one caliber of 3 identical guns except for caliber. Its sisters were the K22 (.22 LR) and K32 (.32 Long) Masterpieces. All are 6" target revolvers all very close in weight so they could be switched during a match without requiring the shooter to adjust to a different feeling gun. The stocks appear to be Herrett's targets. These guns came with magna stocks and S&W target stocks could be special ordered.

[georam1]

There is some numbers on the crane but they are hard to make out. looks like a P on top then the numbers 82104 or 62104

[BE Mike]

It has doesn't have the screw in the top of the sideplate, so it is a later production K-38, before they went with model numbers. There should still be numbers on the frame beneath the yoke.

[Wiregrassguy]

The numbers and letters inside the yoke are for matching hand fitted parts during production, fitter's and inspector's stamps.

[JP@AK]

georam1

As Guy told you, it is a K-38 Masterpiece. The serial number points to manufacture in 1956. I have one in my collection that is only a couple hundred serial numbers lower than yours and it shipped in November, 1956, according to company records. It, like yours, has only four frame screws. I would bet money that yours shipped about the same time.

The K-38 Masterpiece became the Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece in 1958, a couple years after yours was made. Your revolver would not be in the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece line, contrary to what you have been told.

I agree the stocks appear to be Herrett's Shooting Star model. These are decent stocks and can be very comfortable to shoot, but they did not come with the gun. Your example has also had a trigger shoe added and that isn't a factory item either.

The markings in the yoke area are of no interest. The P is a fitter's mark and the number is a parts tracking number. Both were used during the assembly process.

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by georam1

it's (sic) approx value

About a year and a half ago, I sold a 1956 four screw K-38 Masterpiece. It was all original, including the Magna stocks, and it had a little bit more bluing loss than yours. I let it go for $450, which might have been a little bit low.

That should give you a starting point.

[georam1]

Thanks so much everyone for the info!!!

[DWalt]

Definitely a pre-Model 14, AKA a K-38 Masterpiece. K 278948 would date its likely shipment to be in early to mid-1957, but it is in the 1956 manufacturing SN range. The non-original stocks don't help value, but I'd expect it would priced at a gun show in the +/- $500 range with a little negotiating room.