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09-20-2018, 09:38 PM
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Old guy needing to know more about his S&W
Have a 38 special CTG sn K 230098 on the frame there is an X 54161 with the number 8 below the 54161 on the yoke there's the number 54161 . Right hand sidethereare 3 screws on the left there is one on the cylinder release. Has thepush ejector. Any help would be appreciated.
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09-20-2018, 10:31 PM
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Welcome to the forum !
A picture would help or at least the barrel length measured from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle.
The K prefix indicates it is a K frame with target sites, the serial puts it around 1954.
If its a 6" barrel would be a K-38 Masterpiece, If its a 4" would be a Combat Masterpiece.
If its a 5" barrel it would be a rarer variant.
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09-20-2018, 10:31 PM
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Ignore all numbers except the K230098 which should appear on the butt, under the barrel on the flat, on the rear of the cylinder, and a couple of other places. The 54161 numberings you are seeing are most likely assembly numbers and of little to no value once the gun left the factory.
With a K-prefix serial number, I am assuming this gun has adjustable rear sights, right? It also probably has a 6" barrel. If these guesses are correct, you have a K-38, also known as the Masterpiece. It is a finely built revolver designed with the target shooter in mind, although many were carried for other purposes. There was also a 4" barreled version called the Combat Masterpiece that was very popular with law enforcement.
Are you sure there are only 3 screws on the side plate? Frequently the top of the grip hides one at the back lower corner of the plate. Also, is there another screw in the front of the frame just above the trigger guard? With that serial number, I would expect the gun to have been made about the last half or 1954 and be a desirable "five screw" variant. Later, when model numbers came along, it would have been labeled a Model 14. Hope this will get you started knowing something about your S&W revolver.
Oh yeah, lest I forget, welcome to the S&W Forum.
Froggie
PS I see Engine49guy types faster, shorter answers than I do!
Last edited by Green Frog; 09-20-2018 at 10:33 PM.
Reason: *** PS
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09-20-2018, 10:48 PM
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You guys tied, both time stamped 7:31 PM but Engine49guy had a couple of seconds edge.
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Jim
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09-20-2018, 11:57 PM
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K230098
Closest on my list is K2290xx which shipped in 6/55. Yours is in the 1954 production SN range. It could be either a K-38 Masterpiece (6") or a .38 Combat Masterpiece (4")
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09-21-2018, 05:48 AM
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Welcome to the forum . Either way combat masterpiece or K38 masterpiece you have a well made firearm that to me is the epitome of American high quality manufacturing and although I'm no expert I can tell you for sure they don't make em like tht anymore .Give these guys a little more information maybe a picture or two if you can cause I am learning thi stuff and your questions and the experts answers helps us all out . Thanks for posting and stick around you'll like it here .
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09-21-2018, 07:05 AM
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Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania!
Please post some pictures when you have the opportunity.
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09-21-2018, 12:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
You guys tied, both time stamped 7:31 PM but Engine49guy had a couple of seconds edge.
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. . . but what took you guys so long to reply???
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09-21-2018, 09:57 PM
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Thanks to all for answering the post. With the 4 inch barrel it has to be a combat master piece. My father used it when he was a deputy in New Mexico in 1954. Just after he got out of the Air Force. I wound up with it after his death and has been stored for 38 years. Againthanks ithelped a lot.
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09-21-2018, 10:35 PM
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We would really enjoy seeing pictures of your heirloom. Folks here would be glad to help you figure out how to do that , if needed.
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09-21-2018, 11:24 PM
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Welcome to the forum, from an older guy than you.
You have one of the finest revolvers Smith & Wesson ever produced. I hope you'll enjoy shooting it.
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Oh well, what the hell.
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09-21-2018, 11:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wlee1953
Thanks to all for answering the post. With the 4 inch barrel it has to be a combat master piece. My father used it when he was a deputy in New Mexico in 1954. Just after he got out of the Air Force. I wound up with it after his death and has been stored for 38 years. Againthanks ithelped a lot.
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The CM was a fairly popular LE revolver in the pre-Glock days. They first appeared around late 1949. From the early 1960s until the late 1980s, the CM was also the official sidearm of the USAF.
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