Help identifying please

MRollins10 · #1 08-01-2018, 10:49 AM

This is my first post in the forum, so forgive me if i mess this up.

I need help identifying a revolver that i recently inherited. Can someone tell me what it is, and ball park me on its value? The person i got it from was in the AirForce at one point. Curious to know if it was issued? The leather holster appears to be original? It has a ram head on the buttons.

1. Hand Ejector
2. Serial Number K164103 (The Serial number was not in either place described in the sticky notes in this forum. I did find it under the barrel after flipping out the yoke)
3. 38 Special CTG
4. 4 inch barrel
5. Sights: hand ejector post war adjustable

Hopefully i have given you enough information to help?

Jim Watson · #2 08-01-2018, 11:06 AM

Revolver is a Combat Masterpiece, later known as Model 15.
The USAF issued these, but not with target stocks. I will assume he bought one retail because he liked it, not that he stole his sidearm.

The serial number should be on the very bottom of the butt, but you would have to take off the target grips to see it.

The holster is a typical $6 hardware store job, not GI.

DWalt · #3 08-01-2018, 11:06 AM

K164103 is a S&W Combat Masterpiece (pre-Model 15) which probably shipped around early 1953. The target stocks on it are not original and are from post-1969. It is most definitely not USAF issue. But the USAF did adopt it somewhat later. At retail or at a gun show, it would probably sell in the $400 range.

Wiregrassguy · #4 08-01-2018, 11:56 AM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! The stocks have been modified to remove the upper "horn" that should rise up to the bend in the knuckle. If you take them off, don't pry them if they stick or you may damage them. Loosen the screw completely then push on the head to push the right panel off. If that doesn't work, take a wooden or plastic handled tool like a hammer and rap the knuckle sharply with the handle a few times and they should pop free. I DO suggest you take them off and check for rusting under them. The gun is also easier to clean with the grips off, IMO. You can also remove the cylinder and yoke to make cleaning them easier by loosening or removing the lower front sideplate screw (yoke screw), opening the cylinder and pulling it forward out of the frame. Use a proper sized screwdriver to avoid scoring the frame around the screw head or buggering up the screw. The yoke screw MUST go back into the hole it was in for the cylinder retention to work properly so don't misplace or reposition it into another screw hole. These guns are fun shooters so go enjoy it!

Hondo44 · #5 08-01-2018, 01:14 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Congrats, a nice family heirloom!

You'll find the serial # 4 other locations on your gun:

NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, and an attitude that it is there!

1. Gun butt - or fore strap on I frames/single shots with grips that cover the butt

2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud

3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight

4. Extractor star - backside

5. Cylinder - rear face

Muley Gil · #6 08-01-2018, 03:03 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

Make sure you use gunsmithing screwdrivers. These have heads with parallel sides, NOT the typical hardware store screwdrivers which have a wedge shaped head.

Texas Star · #7 08-01-2018, 03:10 PM

Don't store it in the holster. Tanning acids or moisture may cause rust.

I wish I'd inherited one of those...

Yes, we had them in the USAF, beginning I think in the early 1960's. They were in short supply for years, and many of us had to carry old Victory Model S&W .38's scrounged from the Navy.

If YOU can shoot, the gun will, very nicely.

bulletslap · #8 08-02-2018, 09:07 PM

The holster is a Black Sheep Brand Schoellkof, of fair to middlin quality.

S&W Oldtimer · #9 08-03-2018, 09:28 AM

Welcome to the forum.

two-bit cowboy · #10 08-03-2018, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRollins10

2. Serial Number K164103 (The Serial number was not in either place described in the sticky notes in this forum. I did find it under the barrel after flipping out the yoke)

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

Nice revolver you've inherited. Congrats on being its new caretaker.

In the part of your original post I quoted above I got a bit tense about your terminology -- "flipping out the yoke." Please don't "Hollywood" opening the cylinder. Roll it out. Flipping it out or back into the frame will eventually do bad things.

Hope you enjoy that Combat Masterpiece.