The features on my K-38 confuse me. After reading a few threads on the K-38, mine seems to have a 1949 serial number (K773xx on the butt) but a later wide rib barrel but an early fish-hook hammer. Is this one of those transitional guns that had features spread over design changes? Any feedback would be helpful.

I bought this thing in the 80's so I'm also kinda curious about it's current value if anybody wants to take a stab at it.

Thanks

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Can you show us a picture of the muzzle?
K773xx would, indeed, indicate 1949.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Here is a 49.

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I can take more pics later today. BTW: It's a wide rib/heavy barrel (I think).

Was the front sight pinned on the wide rib?

Yes. Your first picture shows a heavy barrel with the appropriate taper on the front of the frame for that barrel. That makes me suspect the rib is wide also. However, it will be helpful to see it. Most likely this is an early K-38 Heavy Barrel example.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

The closest SN I have listed to your K773xx is K761xx shipping in 10/49 (which is a K-22). But it's definitely in the 1949 manufacturing SN range.

Is there a specific date or S/N when the barrel/rib width was changed?

Would this be an early k38 target masterpiece 38spec? The actions on these were so smooth, built by the old s&w craftsman. The k actions is what got me interested in s&w revolvers.

The first K-38 HB was completed on 2/4/49. Apparently both barrel variations were available, or at least cataloged, until 1953.

Yes. It just seems to me that it has an old serial number (ca. 1949) but a later barrel design. Was 1949 the year they transitioned to the wide rib/heavy barrel?

I knew somebody would solve the riddle of the conflicting parts! So for a few years you could get both styles of barrel? Did the catalog show both?

I don't have a S&W catalog from that time, but the 1952 Gun Digest S&W product listing shows both the K-38 Masterpiece and the K-38 Heavy Masterpiece.

As I mentioned earlier, the frame on the OP's gun has the flat taper that was used when a K-38 was mated to the heavy barrel. Those mated to the tapered barrel had a side-slanted taper. Hence, this gun came from the factory with the heavy barrel. By about 1953, they had used up all the 6" tapered barrels that had already been forged (including the approximately 367 that were cut down to 5" for the MSHP order in 1952) and the tapered barrel version of the K-38 Masterpiece was dropped from the lineup. The side-tapered frames continued in use for the .38 Combat Masterpiece, which continued to have the tapered barrel.

So, you had about 4 years when the K-38 Masterpiece was shipping with both barrel configurations. Some (many?) of the early heavy barrel versions shipped in boxes where the label was altered to reflect the different barrel. I believe there are some photos floating around here on the Forum.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

This K38 Narrow Rib Barrel variation is in the K75,000 serial number range and shipped on 6/1/49. It shipped to the legendary Marshall Fields store in Chicago. It lettered with Magna stocks, the non-relieved Target Stocks are a few years newer.

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If there is confusion about K model Smiths, that's about as good a subject that I can think of to be confused about. I love to read about them.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

As DWalt has indicated, the wide rib barrel was officially introduced 2/4/49 . . . although both barrel profiles continued to be offered until Sept 1953.

My notes indicate that occurred around K76XXX . . . which would be consistent with the OPs example and others posted above.

Russ

I'll take a few more pics later today so you all can use them as a reference point. Any guesses as to value?

ANIB Exc VG Good Fair
1250 650 450 300 250

(SCSW, 4th Ed., Page 169).

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Great learning thread. Thanks.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Here are some more pics of the 1949 K-38 Masterpiece in question.

Sadly, this may have to go on the market as I just learned today that my sons fall college tuition has been raised by the State of CA.

Thanks for the help!

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Some neat info in this thread,
Thats a very nice early K-38 Heavy Masterpiece too bad you have to get rid of it.

As stated the first known wide rib K-38 "Heavy" Masterpiece (not Heavy barrel) did ship in early 1949 and first appeared in the 1950 All Model circular alongside the older narrow rib "K-38 Masterpiece" both being advertised at the same time.
The new wide rib barrel was an attempt to closely weight match the K-38 to the K-22 since its larger .38 barrel and cylinder holes made the K-38 lighter .
The change from "Satin" blue to a high polish "Bright" blue occurred sometime around 1954 so older narrow rib K-38's are rarely found in bright blue.

My lowest is a 1950 shipped gun but otherwise identical to yours with slightly higher serial of K-97950 shipped in Nov 1950 , it is one of my favorite shooters with a great trigger.

Perhaps the S&W advertising of the time will help clarify what was going on with these guns.

The K Masterpiece used the tapered barrel with matching frame contours.

The K HEAVY Masterpiece used the straight wall (non-tapered) barrel with matching frame contours.

The Combat Masterpiece used the tapered barrel with matching frame contours, and was normally a 4 inch gun, except for the 5 inch Missouri State Highway Patrol guns, which the factory called Combat Masterpiece revolvers.

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The single action trigger pull on mine is exquisite.

Early heavy barreled K-38s are interesting guns and I have one with a standard gold Masterpiece box with a glued on end label, while the top remained unchanged. Apparently, they simply used the old K-38 gold box and just labeled over the standard narrow rib boxes until they were all used up.

I like the fact that the wide ribbed K-38 is the same weight as my K-22s, but don't think it shoots any better than my narrow ribbed K-38? Probably was only of value to competitive shooters.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

If your K-38 is serial number K77309 let me know and I'll tell you who Evaluators Ltd. shipped it to.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

One more K-38 tidbit, after the older narrow rib K-38 Masterpiece was discontinued...(1953 or 1954 ?) the "Heavy" moniker was discontinued for the wide rib version (Guessing because there was no need to identify it as a different gun on orders anymore) .

On a side note if you look at the 1950 AMC posted above you will see there was both a K-38 and a K-32 "Heavy" Masterpiece advertised (IIRC the K-32 had a narrower rib than the K-38 no doubt due to its smaller 32 caliber cylinder and barrel holes adding a bit more weight ) no seperate K-22 "Heavy" Masterpiece was offered .

The older narrow rib K-22 barrel did change to a slightly wider rib barrel which IIRC begins to ship in 1955,
My guess is since the newer wider rib K-22 totally replaced the older narrow rib version it was unnecessary to use the extra name .

Congrats on that early HB!
Learning rather than contributing much here! Yet the tattered end label still employed even after the gold box changed to blue! Pix below. The HB Masterpiece shown SN 1856xx, mfg in '53. Box & gun came to me together. Unsure originally so mated.
Great Thread here with lots of info and good illustrations!
My take

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This narrow rib, wide rib thing has gotten me in trouble a couple of times. It shows up again with the extractor rod shroud and no shroud barrels. Any time you wish to change a barrel on a K-frame, be sure to look at all aspects of frame to barrel match-up so you don't get some weird notches and projections that are mismatched. I'm currently looking for donor gun with a narrow rib, no shroud barrel to complete my early Masterpiece series... don't ask me about the guns I've bought over the years not looking at these features until too late!

As they say, "Live and learn!"

Froggie

Froggie, I have never seen a Masterpiece or any K frame with a shroud?? Can you elaborate?

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Combat Magnum?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Surprised no one has asked if the barrel flat has the serial number stamped on it - that would pretty much confirm it was original to the gun?

Sorry about the potential sale. Hopefully your son is majoring in a field in which he can buy his dad a nice thank you gift upon graduation .

With the CA price premium I would not be surprised if you could get $750 + for it.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

That's it! . . . or should I say that's it? I have to remember that some collectors interest goes beyond WWII!

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Also the model 53 in .22 Jet .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It's a little higher. Thanks though.

OP, I have K78168 and it looks just like yours. 95%+ condition. I paid $600 a year ago and happy to have it.

Great thread gentlemen! Thanks for all the help. Now that I know quite a bit more about my K-38, I'm a little more invested in it.

PS - I may have to sell something a little less unique out of my stash in order to fund my sons senior year in college. Perhaps my 12 ga. Winchester Model 12 shotgun. There are a couple of million of those out there. The barrel must be curved because I can't seem to hit anything with it.