Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums. I got into S&W awhile back with a Model 36 no dash and have been accumulating ever since.

I'm looking to sell one of my revolvers, a K38 Target Masterpiece with target hammer, target trigger, but replacement Pachmayr grips. It's in great condition, barely fired and was wondering what I should expect for fair market price for such a revolver?

Serial is K256005

Thanks!

At that time (ca. 1955-56) S&W would have called it a K-38 Masterpiece. There is no such thing as Target Masterpiece. Not having the original grips (or at least the original grip style) will have a fairly significant negative effect upon its value. Many will also be turned off by the trigger shoe, but I'd leave that alone. As I see it, around $400-$500 assuming you do not have the original box, paperwork, and implements.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! From the handling marks I see and non-original stocks, I'd put its condition in the "Good" to "Very Good" range...probably around the middle. The Standard Catalog of S&W, 4th Edition gives values of $350 to $450 for that range. BTW your gun was made in 1955.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Yes. And it has the jig hole. This has to be pretty close to the end of that distinction.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

With all due respect, then why does SCSW call the Model 14 the "Target Masterpiece"? What am I missing.

Don't get caught up in nomenclature. Losing proposition.

That gun would be tagged at $700 (if not more) in any shop or show where I live but I don't know if it would sell quickly. I can tell you the price would not be negotiated much lower. Dealers around here would rather hang on to gun than take less money.

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No life story has happy end.

I think some of the guys are alittle light. If you were to put a set of period correct magnas on it, I believe you could get 700ish out of it.

This one could be imported into CA because of its age. I bet it would do well on Gunbroker. Nice revolver.

Tisn't the season anymore but many men's budgets are tight recovering from it. It's a buyer's market from later November into January. If you do not have to sell to make ends meet I'd put it off a month or two.

I never did like stocks that cover the back strap and would give those Pachmyrs away. Consequently, I value it as a revolver with a bare grip frame. I'm not alone. If you put off the sale you can keep an eye out for some shooter grade S&W made wood. Of course the nit-pickers here would comment on how the new wood lacked the gun's serial number, was the wrong vintage etc. but I think you'd come out ahead.

Thanks all for the feedback. I didn’t think there were any big noticeable handling marks that would detract from the value, maybe aside from some wear on the ejector rod? Everything in the picture is really just lint or glare from the lights. I can’t imagine a correct vintage pair of grips going any more than $100.

I guess I’ll wait since I’m in no rush, unless someone here wants to buy it for $600

I’ve been trying to sell a bunch of guns lately and the holiday season is killing me with lowball offers.

I paid $677 for my K38 (shipped 11/51) with the original stocks in 2013. No box, no tools. I was happy to get it and while I may have been at the high end of the scale I wanted it and it is a tack driver. Goes nicely with my K-22.

Attached Images

	S&W K-38 (3) (Large).jpg (128.1 KB, 50 views)
	K22andK38_ (Small).JPG (103.2 KB, 32 views)
	K38 June 30_2016 (Medium).JPG (84.3 KB, 30 views)

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Because the SCSW is wrong . . . The authors made an attempt to correct this in the 4th Edition. The incorrect name disappeared from the main headings, but it still shows up in some of the text. I call that "progress."

Another, related, issue is the Combat Masterpiece. Never did S&W call it a K-38 Combat Masterpiece (or K-22 either). Those were always .38 Combat Masterpiece or .22 Combat Masterpiece. But it has been printed incorrectly so many times that the K stuff has stuck to it. I don't believe that one will ever get corrected. I'd like to be wrong, but . . .

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Yes, most who have been on this forum very long are well aware of the error made in SCSW #3 by calling a "Masterpiece" a "Target Masterpiece."

But calling yours a K-38 Masterpiece target revolver is OK.

"I can’t imagine a correct vintage pair of grips going any more than $100"
You may be surprised when you check prices on a good unmolested and lightly-used pair from that period. Some early S&W factory target stocks in high condition have become investments. It's just supply and demand in action. Some people will buy a mediocre gun just to get good stock pair. If you think S&W grips are expensive, look at Colt target stock prices. A high-condition Gen 1 pair can run well north of $500. Not having correct target stocks can severely depress a gun's value.

Now I see what I am missing.....a SCSW 4th Edition.
Thank you for clarifying that little piece of misinformation.

well hello and welcome to the forum....great to have u with us.....well i would not price that as high as most of you for these two main reasons...and maybe it is just the pics...but that finish looks wrong to me....way too blue..maybe pics have lots of flash but it looks like a refinish and with missing the correct grips...they are hard to find and will cost more than 100 hundred dollars as well...i have only seen a few of these in the wild and both i seen had more blackish colored finishes as this one looks almost Colt Blue like...God Bless,John

I don't think it's been refinished. The markings are really crisp and the color seems to match other K38s and is very consistent across the entire gun. Perhaps it's just the really bright lighting, but thanks for the input.

I might consider looking for grips to replace them. I could be wrong but I see what look like correct target stocks listed all over ebay for under or around $100 using the search "S&W K frame grips".

Is there a very specific difficult to find type of stocks that I'm not understanding?

well i think you might want to research this further...not trying to be too hard on your gun...but honest evaluation will make for a quick and easy sale..i honestly do not think your gun is worth what u think it is...i hope u get what u want for it...and this time of year is always the best to BUY ...terrible to sell...
wish u the very best of luck on your sales...God bless,John

Here is one I won at auction on Dec. 8, 2018. The hammer dropped at $450.00. After all my expenses buyer's premium, sales tax, shipping cost and FFL fee, I am into it for $536.00.

No box or tools, but the stocks are a serial number match to the revolver. The serial number of K84567 puts it in the 1950 timeframe of production. I would rate it about 90% plus.

The auction I won it at was both live with a large attendance and Proxibid internet bidding. It should be pretty representative of current values.

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	100_4093.jpg (55.2 KB, 56 views)
	100_4094.jpg (44.2 KB, 49 views)

I bought this one for $449.00 a few months ago. I wouldn’t pay more than $500.00

Welcome, also!

Just to clarify (maybe ) - your gun has the wide Target hammer spur but a trigger shoe on the standard width trigger. I believe the whole "Target Masterpiece" issue started with guns with both features having an extra ink-stamped "Target" on the box end label. So you could unofficially call one a "Masterpiece Target", if that is not confusing enough...

The gun market is somewhat cold right now, but to me this one with a set of correct stocks is worth more than $450 but probably less than $600. A little polishing and wax (Renaissance products work well) and good well-lit photos and you shouldn't have a problem selling it. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Welcome from North Dakota. Nice K-38; around $600 in this area ( another $100, and more marketable, if you can find "period correct " stocks ).

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John

Welcome to the Forum. It would sit in any shop for a very-very long time at $700. Catalogs, company literature, Neal & Jinks bible on S&Ws named it simply Masterpiece. ALL K frame Masterpiece revolvers are target guns, so no need for the added nomenclature. Actually Supica and Nahas called these guns made before 1958 Masterpiece revolvers in SCSW4 (page 169), corrected from their SCSW3 book. The Model numbered guns got Target dropped as well.

I have even seen references to the short barrel early post-WWII version of the Masterpiece line as Combat Target Masterpiece, which is kind of clumsy. It is of no major consequence, but many collectors do not like the names of these and other guns changed from what the factory originally named them.

If I were going to try to sell the gun, the first thing I would do would be to change out that rubber stock to period correct walnut Magna stocks as many others have said above. They are literally for sale almost all the time on ebay. I and many others will simply not buy a revolver with rubber stocks, since most gun shops will not allow buyers to take off the stocks before purchase. That is a “don’t bother to ask” issue for many gun shops out there. Check out other guns in this section and you will see many really nice ones that were bought for around $500. Good luck with your sale.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

First, it is most likely that your K-38 came from the factory with Magna stocks, not target stocks. Let's talk about those first.

The stocks shown in the first photo in Post #11 and the pictures in Posts #18 and #19 would not be correct for your revolver. Those Magna stocks have the sharp shoulder, which was discontinued in early 1953. Correct Magna stocks for your gun are shown in this picture:


Period correct target stocks for your 1955 gun would probably be walnut diamond targets with the "football" shaped extractor relief. It is possible they would have no relief. I cannot remember exactly when this change was made, but 1955 has to be pretty close.

I suspect most of the $100 targets you are seeing on eBay do not have the smooth diamond at the screw location. Those are from 1967 or later.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Thanks for the clarification with the stocks. I imagine this pistol would look more correct anyways with magna diamond stocks rather than the target ones since it only has the "target hammer".

Even with non-matching serial magna stocks, I guess anything is better than the oversized pachmayrs... They've never seemed to feel comfortable to me.

Let me tell you a story about Pachmayr stocks.

For several years, long ago, I used Pachmayr stocks on my K-38, K-22 and Highway Patrolman revolvers for both casual shooting and matches. They did give me good control and were comfortable, even though I didn't particularly care for the looks.

The big mistake I made came when I bought my first Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum. Before I ever shot it, I swapped the factory walnut grips for Pachmayr Presentation grips. The first range session, I put two full cylinder loads through it. By that time the base of my thumb was so bruised I could hardly pick up anything with my right hand for a week. Instead of rotating in my hand as it was supposed to do, the .44 sent all the impact of recoil directly back into the base of my thumb. I went home, took off the Pachmayrs and put the factory Ruger walnuts back on the gun. That was the beginning of my drift away from aftermarket rubber stocks on all my guns, even though I did not have the same problem with my double action S&W revolvers.

Now I have a box full of Pachmayrs that are slowly being given away to people who want them. I even sold a few pairs at gun shows. I don't particularly dislike them, I just no longer have any reason to want to use them. And my S&W guns look a whole lot better without them.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Thank You! The previous estimated values mentioned really threw me. I have to wonder when I see those, what would be very low estimated values by my availability thrown around just how active the folks making them are in today's gun world or if I am or have been paying to much. I know regional factors need to be applied but by my my limited buying sources, mostly online a revolver of the type mentioned would be a deal at anything much under $500. Makes you wonder and nice revolver by the way. The grips would not make me hesitate as I mostly buy shooter grade guns that if the grips need replacing it is not a problem as I enjoy the hunt and learning experience that goes along with it.

You may also take this into consideration, other than the M&P models, the K38 is a common gun and there are many around for sale. Goodyear grips are a turn off to most folks, as even shooters prefer the original numbered grips. I am a collector, and all parts must match, but that's just me. An unmatched gun will not bring the big $$$, and will often be overlooked in a search for a nice gun. As one poster said, Ren-Wax the gun and buy a set of sharp shoulder diamond center grips. Then, you may just want to keep it. Big Larry

Certainly welcome to try it at $700 since you said you are not in a hurry, but you just will not sell it as is for that money. There are a few models out there that I watch at every auction and the Masterpiece line is one of them. Go to Gunbroker and check the asking or reserve prices, but notice that there are zero bids on them. Too often people will say that this or that model is for sale for high prices, but never check to see if they are selling. People make too big a deal about reginal differences. If one only frequents gun shops, they are all too high, but we live in a connected world and can see every gun that sells from the east to the west coast online in real time. Those who charge more is not because they live where guns are more expensive, but rather just try to get increased profits. Try selling a gun to those same dealers and see how much you get??

Auction houses are where you will see actual prices realized and they will seldom reach what sellers are asking in the online gun auction companies. Here is the deal for me. K38s do not sell as high as K22s. I have seen too many rusted guns under those vulcanized rubber stocks and have also seen discolored bluing where it is covered by the stock for years and years. If I cannot see what is under them, I am not interested. I can see the shape of the rubber stocks on the left side of the frame where there some brush marks appear to stop at the location where the rubber ended and the bluing appears darker under the the rubber as well.

Non-matching stocks and blemishes by definition brings the gun to a Very Good rating by collectors since a a major part has been replaced. Very Good guns are valued at $450 in SCSW4. This is the way many collectors look at these examples and they are the ones that pay the premiums you see with some examples for sale. I will be honest and state that I will buy guns that appeal to me and lack the true collector qualifying factors. I just bought a K38 Combat Masterpiece from 1951 with late 1960s stocks. Finish was a perfect flat blue and wear marks were non-existent. I got is for a little over $500 and fortunately had the proper era Magnas for the gun as well as a set of non-relieved targets. I was happy with the price, but would not have paid any more for the gun.

It is apparent that you are leaning towards $700 and I truly hope you get your money, but the above issues may prove otherwise.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I purchased a K-38 about a month and half ago that is very close in serial number to yours that had the original non-relieved target grips in what I would say is NRA Very Good condition with the .500 hammer and trigger. It’s final price on gun broker was $380. Maybe it was a fluke and somehow slipped under the radar but it looks to me like most k-38s selling over the last few months are selling at about $350 to $400 with some really nice ones with all the extras going for up towards $600. That is by no means definitive and only what I have seen. If yours is worth more to you than that by all means ask what it’s worth to you. I think everyone has done that at some point. I personally would hold on to it. Look around to find the correct era stocks for it and really enjoy it. K-38s are beautiful and fantastic guns that seem to be kinda under the fad collectors radar right now. The workmanship in these little .38s are every bit as good as the big popular target guns Smith & Wesson made. It won’t be long and one of the big names on YouTube with make a video about them and suddenly you won’t find one for under $1000.

Please go back and look at Post #23. MJLai85's gun is too new to have the earlier style Magna stocks!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I saw two K38s (albeit of more recent vintage, I think they were 14-3s) in high condition and with original target stocks at the local gun show this morning. Asking prices were sub-$500 for each, before any haggling. In 1955, had yours been equipped with target stocks, they would very likely have been the early type without the football cutouts, which would be costly to replace. Period-correct diamond Magna service grips would be much lower priced, with a high condition pair (non-PC for the K-series) running in the $80-$100 range from eBay. With some use and wear showing, more like $50-$60 for a pair.

My bad. I could not find the date on his revolver. I thought he stated 1951, which may have been correct for sharp shoulder stocks. Yes, my late 1952 K-32 has the rounded stocks. Big Larry

Hello and welcome to the forum,
Very nice bright blue 1955(ish) K38 Masterpiece, (some refer to this version as the "Heavy Masterpiece") as it has a heavier barrel profile than the older narrow rib versions although the "Heavy" moniker was likely phased out by 1955 since the narrow rib version was discontinued by around 1954.

Your revolver has a standard trigger with an aftermarket "Trigger shoe" as well as the then standard S&W "High Speed Hammer".

A wide target hammer as well as a wide trigger were options for a small upgrade fee.

The larger target stocks were also an option but my guess is with your guns standard hammer/trigger it likely shipped with the smaller Magna stocks ,
IMO Period correct target stocks for a 1955 five screw would likely be the Non relieved style (without the left side relief cut) .

Your serial K-256005 puts it kinda near the end of "five screw" K frame production as the then new "4 screw" "Combat Magnum" (AKA Pre Model 19) began shipping in early 1956 in the K-260001-265000 serial range.

First the "Good" , Looks like a nice clean 5 screw wide rib bright blue wide rib K38 Masterpiece.
The "Bad", Missing box/docs/tools and original stocks, also the used S&W revolver market is currently a bit soft.
The "Ugly" the trigger shoe that was a quick easy alternative to buying and installing a factory wide trigger has become an undesirable eyesore on collectible S&W revolvers as when they are removed usually will be found to have damaged the factory trigger finish.

If I was perusing a local gunshow and the gun passed all mechanical test in hand I would be looking at it as a nice clean shooter and interested in the $400-$450 price range as is but I dont collect 6" K-38's.

Adding period correct Gold Box docs tools might add $150 but will cost at least that to purchase.

Period correct Magna stocks would add about $50 - $100 value (depending on condition) but also would cost that much to procure,

Period correct Target stocks would add about $200-$250 but also cost at least that much to procure.

Bottom line is its a nice 5 screw K-38 shooter especially for someone that has an extra set of period correct grips in the drawer when priced right.

An uninformed buyer will usually pay quite a bit more than someone that knows the market so building in negotiation room is smart on your part IMO.

"K-38s are beautiful and fantastic guns that seem to be kinda under the fad collectors radar right now. "
One reason being that there were so many of them made since WWII, and most seen are found in fairly good condition. There's not much of a scarcity or condition premium attached. One of the very few guns I purchased new (in about 1977) was a Model 14 which I actually used in Bullseye competition. But very few, if any, Bullseye shooters would consider a Model 14 to be suitable for competition use today (and the same is also true for a K-22). I have no particular need for mine, and if I decided to sell it, I'd probably be happy to find a buyer willing to pay $500 (and it does have its original box and paperwork).

I picked up this K-38 from 1954 in September for $400...

Attached Images

K-38 1954.jpg (103.6 KB, 23 views)

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

You did pretty well since it's worth double that!

Re: the OP's gun, the reason we're all so concerned about authenticity is that these guns just do not sell to non-enthusiasts! A .38 Special with a 6 inch barrel is a hard sell to the uninformed. If it was in perfect condition I'd say get a set of Culina's, but since it's not, a gently used set of diamond magnas seems to make the most sense. I wouldn't chase a set of K frame target stocks from that era since they will likely sell for double or triple the price --- and still won't be original.

I have a set of K frame diamond magnas lying around, but they're damaged and I'm figuring out if they are worth the effort to fix.

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Psalm 27:2

I bought my new in 1968 as a college graduation present to myself. I found it a K Mart for the sum of $67.50. They had two one with wide hammer and trigger the other with standard narrows. I chose the wide, cost $4-5 more. Still have it. A couple of years later as a new Lt. in the USAF one of our NCO's had an interest in a pawn shop and got me a matching K 22 for $75.

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Jeff