What on earth

Keekeechalk · #1 10-07-2017, 03:14 PM

Help. Trying to figure out what model this girl is:
S/N K303350
.38 S&W Special CTG
5" barrel w/ adjustable sights

Thank you in advance!

DWalt · #2 10-07-2017, 03:19 PM

It appear to be a (K-38) Combat Masterpiece or a K-38 Masterpiece with a shortened barrel.
K303350 indicates that it probably shipped in late 1957. I list SN K3036xx which shipped in 10/57. The grips are not factory original, and I cannot identify their source. Some CMs were shipped with a 5" barrel, I cannot be sure yours is not a K-38 Masterpiece with a shortened 6" barrel. The rear of the barrel does not seem to be flared out near the frame as it probably should be for a CM.

murphydog · #3 10-07-2017, 03:33 PM

Welcome! Clear, close up photos of the muzzle crown and front sight base would be helpful to determine if it is a factory 5" heavy barrel. The IL State Police carried a similar gun to this in the same time frame as this gun, and it may be one of these or a overrun from this production that was sold through regular channels. The MO State Highway Patrol also carried a similar gun, with the tapered barrel. Member linde here is the local expert.

Also, if the barrel appears uncut/modified a letter of authenticity would verify its history:

Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation - Letter Process - Insuring that the rich history of Smith & Wesson will continue for generations to come

Hope this is helpful.

Keekeechalk · #4 10-07-2017, 03:36 PM

OK, thank you. It is very similar to another K38 that was my dads service revolver he used as an SFPD officer back in the early/mid 1960's. What threw me off was the letter "N" stamped behind the the yoke where the model number is stamped on later models...
I have an opportunity to buy this from a lil ole lady and want to make sure I do my homework on what I'm buying...I don't want to take advantage of her if its something special...either way I WILL pick this one up!

Alk8944 · #5 10-07-2017, 03:59 PM

The "N" is a fitter's mark.

The stocks are Sile, made in Italy.

The pictures are too poor to even venture a guess as to model and barrel length, except in the period the SN dates the gun to there were no heavy barrel Combat Master piece models, so it has to be a K-38. It could be either a shortened 6" or an original 5". As others have mentioned there were police agencies that ordered 5" K-38s, might be one of them.

shawn mccarver · #6 10-07-2017, 04:08 PM

I checked the serial number against the final list of numbers Russ and I got by comparing MSHP records with factory records provided by Roy Jinks when we did our article on the MSHP 5 inch Combat Masterpiece revolvers.

The serial number is too high and it is clearly not an MSHP revolver. The non-tapered barrel is a clear indication as well, but barrels can be replaced.

This revolver is either an ISP revolver or one sold through H. H. Harris, who advertised the same revolvers during that time period.

murphydog · #7 10-07-2017, 04:11 PM

Shawn is one of the experts too...sorry for the omission

Keekeechalk · #8 10-08-2017, 01:15 PM

Thank you so much for all the info! I really appreciate it!!
Not sure these photos are all that clear either...

JP@AK · #9 10-08-2017, 02:45 PM

The top part of the frame has a flat drop forward, not tapered to the side. The barrel has no taper toward the muzzle just in front of the frame. This is a K-38 Masterpiece, not a .38 Combat Magnum, regardless of the barrel length.