Saw this at a small, local gun show this morning. tagged as a 1951 year of mfg. but here are the specs. Has a 'K' on the bottom of the frame and ser # 145189. Also where the later model number is on the frame when the cyl is swung out is another 'K' above the numbers 2339. In pretty nice shape and very tight. Asking $675. Any help with actual identification of this gun will be appreciated!

Well, the picture doesn't come up; so it's a K-22/32/38 Masterpiece----if it has a 6" barrel. If it has a 4" barrel, it's a Combat Masterpiece (22/38)---or the barrel's been cut. It's more likely a 1952 production gun--but close enough.

As an aside, the 'K' is part of the serial number. And the 2339 is an assembly number which has no significant meaning to you or I.

Quittin' time!

Ralph Tremaine

As another aside, I'm inclined to say there's a remote possibility it could be some semblance of a Combat Masterpiece (if .32)---but I don't recall all the nits and lice attendant to the early days of that line. If it is, SNAP THAT SUCKER UP!!

Like Ralph said, no photo.

Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk

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Regards,
Bruce

Sorry for the pic problem - it IS a 6" barrel, IN .38 Special and in stainless steel.

With a 6" barrel and chambered for the .38 Special, it is a K-38 Masterpiece. It is too old to have a model number. The K in the yoke cut means nothing - it is simply a fitter's mark that happens to coincidentally match the frame size.

1952 would be the correct year of manufacture.

It is definitely NOT stainless steel. S&W didn't make stainless guns until 1965. If it is shiny silver in color, it has a non-factory nickel (or chrome, maybe) finish. As such, I would consider $650 to be much too high a price.

JP

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

K145189
K136,691 – K175,637...1952 manufacture.
The closest SN I have listed is K1507xx which shipped in 8/52. Yours likely shipped a few months earlier than that. If it has the original box, papers, and implements, it would easily be worth the asking price, even if in average condition.

No box or Acc. Just the gun AND:
This was the REAL issue I had - It appears to be satin stainless but if this is the case then either it has been refinished for sandblasted . Do we have a way to UPLOAD photos instead of having to post a link to the picture?

use postimage.io

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

A short while ago user Crazyphil posted a "how to" related to posting pictures without using a third party (like Photobucket). Itworked well for me, so give it a try:
I while back I went through the same thing, so I will try to return the
favor.
Post to existing thread:
Type your message in the quick reply.
Click on Go Advanced.
Scroll down to & click on Manage Attachments.
A window will open.
Click choose file (from your computer)
Click UPLOAD
When done uploading, Close this window
Go back down below Manage Attachments and Click Submit Reply

If you are posting a new thread:
Type your message
Scroll down to manage attachments. (the rest about the same as
posting to existing thread)

Hope this helps. I remember how frustrating it was to be lost,
but now it is easy. Just takes a little time.
Repetition also helps!

Hey - got it!

Attached Images

IMG_0789[1].JPG (70.4 KB, 61 views)

Looks like a hard chrome finish to me. Hammer and trigger are treated also, so I would guess the inside workings are also chromed. The stocks are not original either, being made much later than the gun.

Hard chrome is the best refinish going, as far as I am concerned. Extremely durable, easy to clean and almost rustproof.

If the timing is good, cylinder and barrel good, then it will be fun to shoot. But, it is no longer a collector piece, so you shouldn't pay collector price for it.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

The asking was $675 - so what would be a fair, average 'post refinish' price? It was very tight with a crisp action and overall very nice. Also what should the correct grips for this gun look like?

In my area, its a $400.00 shooter. Original grips would have probably been walnut magnas with the diamonds around the grip screw.

What mh51 said. Not a $675 gun at all. While it looks like it was well done, the hard chrome finish means it's worth less than a similar gun with the original bluing. Pre 14s are undervalued (in my opinion) and 95-98% guns can be had for what the seller is asking. Another vote for $400. Show the seller a comparable blued model from Gunbroker or Armslist.

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Psalm 27:2