|
|
01-11-2020, 05:21 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The Flint Hills - Kansas
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 2,348
Liked 3,294 Times in 676 Posts
|
|
K-38 Masterpiece from 1950
This one showed up at my door a couple days ago. Have been wanting a nice 5-screw K-38 for quite a while, and finally bit the bullet on this one. Serial # K801xx. I was hoping I would get lucky and find that it shipped in 1949, which would make it a birth year gun for me. No such luck, shipped in March, 1950. Still don't have a '49 gun.
I really do not think this gun has seen more than a box or two of ammo through it. Very light drag line, no marks on the recoil shield, very clean top strap and forcing cone. Perfect and pristine bore. It has a few very minor dings on the metal. The color case hardening on the hammer is stunning. All numbers match, including the right stock panel. The worst flaw on the gun is that the right stock panel is missing a sliver of wood off the top horn. Other than that, the stocks are very nice, with very crisp and sharp checkering.
Nothing here to make one ooh and aah. Just a very nice older S&W hand ejector.
__________________
SWCA 3297 SWHF 583
|
The Following 57 Users Like Post:
|
22/32 JDF, 357magster, 4barrel, AlHunt, andy52, Babysitr, Barbarian-CBX, beagleye, bgrafsr, Bob L, caddy2507, CelticSire, chiefdave, cndrdk, D Brown, daddio202, Dale53, DodgeCity1951, gdodgen, Gene L, Glashaus, GUNMIKE, gunnails, H Richard, hkcavalier, Hunter Keith, JayCeeNC, JH1951, jimbo728, Jimmyjones, jmace57, JohnRippert, Kansasgunner, krsmith58, lamarw, Lee Barner, LEO918, linde, LPD256, MixmodelA, model3sw, Moo Moo, moosedog, Narragansett, Old cop, oysterer, RKmesa, S&W-Keeper, series guy, Southernboy, THE PILGRIM, Trooper224, Waveski, wraco, wundudnee, YeshuaIsa53, zipty6 |
01-11-2020, 06:23 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Lake Martin, Alabama
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 2,189
Liked 3,245 Times in 830 Posts
|
|
Congrats on your nice K-38 Target Masterpiece (Pre-Model 14). I have a slightly older brother/sister to yours. It is also of 1950 vintage; although I am not exactly sure how much older. Mine is serial # K84567.
They are a real pleasure to shoot.
|
The Following 10 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-11-2020, 07:20 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Florida
Posts: 7,770
Likes: 2,468
Liked 8,296 Times in 2,908 Posts
|
|
Very nice and fairly early for a K-38 "Heavy" Masterpiece.
If your only looking for a BD gun and dont care if its a standard narrow rib K-38 Masterpiece or the (then) new wider rib "heavy" version you will probably have better luck looking for the narrow rib .
There were some wide rib K-38 "Heavy" Masterpiece revolvers that shipped in late summer of 1948 but IIRC they were in the K-66000 range.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-11-2020, 07:39 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OVER the hill in TEJAS
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 13,107
Liked 4,339 Times in 1,773 Posts
|
|
I have your 49er with 4 7s
|
The Following 17 Users Like Post:
|
bgrafsr, bluetopper, daddio202, Hunter Keith, jimbo728, Kansasgunner, kscharlie, Lee Barner, LEO918, LPD256, ME94, mtgianni, Narragansett, series guy, wraco, YeshuaIsa53, zipty6 |
01-11-2020, 08:02 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,478
Likes: 5,112
Liked 18,983 Times in 6,863 Posts
|
|
Engine49guy wrote:
Quote:
There were some wide rib K-38 "Heavy" Masterpiece revolvers that shipped in late summer of 1948 but IIRC they were in the K-66000 range.
|
Yes. The first K-38 Heavy Masterpiece carried serial number K66222, and it shipped from the factory on August 19, 1948 (which, by the way, is mid-summer).
Both versions were produced side-by-side for quite a while. I have K-38 Masterpiece number K75711 with the standard barrel/narrow rib, and it shipped in April, 1949.
Just for fun, here's a picture of K75711:
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
Last edited by JP@AK; 01-11-2020 at 08:04 PM.
|
The Following 13 Users Like Post:
|
bgrafsr, daddio202, Hunter Keith, jimbo728, Kansasgunner, kscharlie, Lee Barner, LEO918, LPD256, RKmesa, series guy, YeshuaIsa53, zipty6 |
01-11-2020, 08:34 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 26,395
Liked 36,122 Times in 4,524 Posts
|
|
I too have a 1950, and need a 49 for a birth year
__________________
Pete
I ain't no fortunate son
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-11-2020, 08:45 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Bradenton, florida
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 5,318
Liked 3,465 Times in 917 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lamarw
Congrats on your nice K-38 Target Masterpiece (Pre-Model 14). I have a slightly older brother/sister to yours. It is also of 1950 vintage; although I am not exactly sure how much older. Mine is serial # K84567.
They are a real pleasure to shoot.
|
Technically if your gun begins with 84 and his gun begins with 80 both guns having 4 digit serials, then his gun is the older gun- yours is the younger brother/cousin. Anyhow op has a very nice gun. Doesn't look like the grips are original to it? What is serial on underside of right grip? I have 4 later model 14's of different dashes and have been looking for a nice pre-14. Seems to me the model 14 and later guns all have wide ribs so I think I would prefer to find a narrow rib version. Enjoy your new 1950 beauty!
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-11-2020, 09:16 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Occupied California
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 1,512
Liked 5,559 Times in 1,602 Posts
|
|
I have a K-38 in the mid-K75,000 serial number range that has the narrow rib and shipped on 6/1/49 to Marshall Fields in Chicago. I also have a K-38 Heavy Masterpiece from 1955. I like them both, the narrow rib gun handles more like a orchestra conductor's baton and I can see why serious target shooters back then liked the heavy barrel option.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-11-2020, 10:03 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 3,951
Likes: 25,543
Liked 15,839 Times in 2,174 Posts
|
|
I shipped in March of 1950. I used to have a narrow rib, but now I am a wide, heavy rib. lee
__________________
VFW, NRA, VVA, S&WCA 1758
|
The Following 12 Users Like Post:
|
4barrel, deno56, Green Frog, Kansasgunner, kscharlie, lamarw, linde, LPD256, shrade, Tyree1867, YeshuaIsa53, zipty6 |
01-11-2020, 11:54 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The Flint Hills - Kansas
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 2,348
Liked 3,294 Times in 676 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by daddio202
... Doesn't look like the grips are original to it? What is serial on underside of right grip? ...
|
As mentioned in the OP, the stocks are numbered to the gun.
As with most of the S&W revolvers I obtain, this one came from GB. I did not see it until there was less than 1 day left on the auction. I knew the serial number would be a **** shoot as to the shipping date, but I did not have enough time to get the info from Roy before the auction ended. The gun was nice enough that I decided to take a chance and placed my bid. Took a chance and missed.
Doesn't really matter. I wanted a decent 5-screw to go with my 4-screw 14-1, and I got that. I really did not care if I ended up with a narrow rib or heavy barrel, just 1949. Plus, it still gives me something to search for. No downside there...
__________________
SWCA 3297 SWHF 583
|
The Following 9 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-12-2020, 12:04 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Meadows Place, Texas
Posts: 5,780
Likes: 24,892
Liked 16,283 Times in 4,141 Posts
|
|
Love those sharp shouldered magnas. That one just screams for a grip adapter to me.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-12-2020, 02:13 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 3,291
Likes: 1,763
Liked 7,208 Times in 1,888 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnRippert
Love those sharp shouldered magnas. That one just screams for a grip adapter to me.
|
It might end up looking like my '52.
__________________
Psalm 27:2
|
The Following 10 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-12-2020, 09:36 AM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,783
Likes: 4,206
Liked 15,130 Times in 4,142 Posts
|
|
I carried a 4” M15 as my issued weapon for years. This was the Cadillac of thirty-eights back in the day.
__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
01-12-2020, 09:58 AM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 1,623
Liked 3,795 Times in 877 Posts
|
|
I have a 53' that someone rebarreled with a heavy wide rib barrel and they installed a trigger shoe which I kept on, very nice shooting revolver!
__________________
Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-12-2020, 12:36 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kansas
Posts: 309
Likes: 691
Liked 351 Times in 140 Posts
|
|
Kscharlie,
I have a very nice 1949, but alas I was born in 1949 and we will never part!
__________________
SWCA LM#2190 SWHF#414
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-12-2020, 07:00 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central VA
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 1,551
Liked 9,320 Times in 4,181 Posts
|
|
I've got a '48 vintage K-22 and K-38 both, but like you guys, my birth year was 1949... I prefer to think of them as being there to greet and guard me when I arrived!
Froggie
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-12-2020, 10:54 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,478
Likes: 5,112
Liked 18,983 Times in 6,863 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glashaus
I have a 53' that someone rebarreled with a heavy wide rib barrel
|
It might have been rebarreled as you say, but that frame came with the straight side barrel and wide rib. The contour at the front of the frame bridge was different on the frames that were originally mated to the tapered barrels. Besides, by 1953, the tapered barrel had been discontinued on the K-38 Masterpiece.
Added some pics to illustrate the difference:
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
Last edited by JP@AK; 01-12-2020 at 10:57 PM.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-12-2020, 11:51 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Ohio valley
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 3,534
Liked 4,157 Times in 1,390 Posts
|
|
1949 Pre 14
This pre 14 has wide smooth target trigger.It will shoot groups
That make me smile all day. Has the 1/10 front sight some
Wear on gun but 1949 was a good year
Last edited by Dave.357; 01-12-2020 at 11:56 PM.
Reason: Add comments
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-13-2020, 08:26 AM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 1,623
Liked 3,795 Times in 877 Posts
|
|
[quote=JP@AK;140641164]It might have been rebarreled as you say, but that frame came with the straight side barrel and wide rib. The contour at the front of the frame bridge was different on the frames that were originally mated to the tapered barrels. Besides, by 1953, the tapered barrel had been discontinued on the K-38 Masterpiece.
Thanks, didn’t really know that, my K38 has difinitely been rebarreled, the finish and wear on the barrel is different that the frame and the barrel markings are newer, not the same as in 53. I like shooting it, that I do know.
__________________
Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL
|
01-13-2020, 10:21 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Rochelle, Illinois
Posts: 782
Likes: 927
Liked 1,465 Times in 509 Posts
|
|
It seems that there a lot of us '49ers on here.
JP@AK has information on one that was shipped (8-19-48) on my older brother's arrival date.
I have a couple from 1950, probably as close as I will get....
WR
__________________
God, Country, Family
Last edited by Wrangler Rich; 01-13-2020 at 10:23 AM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
01-13-2020, 01:28 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The Flint Hills - Kansas
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 2,348
Liked 3,294 Times in 676 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wrangler Rich
It seems that there a lot of us '49ers on here.
JP@AK has information on one that was shipped (8-19-48) on my older brother's arrival date.
I have a couple from 1950, probably as close as I will get....
WR
|
Seems like I have read other comments on the forum indicating that guns shipped in '49 are more difficult to find. I have found a few in the past, but they were either "gold plated" (read, more than I was willing to pay) or tied on a string and drug down a gravel road.
I have '47, '48 and '50 well covered. As stated previously, it's the search that is fun. The bad thing about the search is I keep finding other guns that I suddenly think I need. Thus, the family grows...
__________________
SWCA 3297 SWHF 583
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-13-2020, 01:45 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 3,902
Liked 6,802 Times in 1,851 Posts
|
|
I have it's smaller and slightly younger a K38 Combat masterpiece #K82259 shipped April 1950 most like made in 1949.
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-14-2020, 12:40 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SE USA
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 4,443
Liked 1,881 Times in 852 Posts
|
|
Nice gun. Hope you enjoy it.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
01-27-2020, 01:31 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: North Texas
Posts: 426
Likes: 11
Liked 392 Times in 90 Posts
|
|
Some great looking guns on here. My only 5-screw is this Pre-Model 14, K-38 Masterpiece made in 1952.
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-28-2020, 03:22 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 88
Likes: 63
Liked 90 Times in 35 Posts
|
|
As another member of the "class of 1949" I just wanted to
say "hello" in this fine thread. I do have a "birth year" 5
screw S&W revolver that I was lucky enough to snag about 2
years ago, its a 38-44 "heavy duty" that was built for the
"police special super 38" round. I had pics posted here a few
years back.
Here's the link to the original thread with pics:
38/44 HEAVY DUTY TRANSITION MODEL
__________________
Mike
*SWCA # 3067*
Last edited by caddy2507; 01-28-2020 at 03:35 AM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
01-28-2020, 09:38 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,480
Likes: 236
Liked 28,943 Times in 14,013 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by caddy2507
I do have a "birth year" 5
screw S&W revolver that I was lucky enough to snag about 2
years ago, its a 38-44 "heavy duty" that was built for the
"police special super 38" round. I had pics posted here a few
years back.
|
Just for reference, that is not the name of the cartridge. It is usually called generically as the .38-44 cartridge, which is just a heavily loaded .38 Special (MV is about 1100 ft/sec). Remington generally labeled it as the .38 Special (sometimes .38-44 is shown on early boxes) Hi-Speed, Winchester called it the .38 Special Super Speed, and Western called it the .38 Special Super-X. I think the Peters brand used the name .38 Special High Velocity, I don't remember for sure. The revolver itself is usually designated as the ".38/44" Heavy Duty or Outdoorsman, not ".38-44". In any event, the .38-44 cartridge has been off the commercial market for many years, but is easily duplicated by handloading. The .38 Special +P load has generally supplanted it, even though it is less powerful than the original .38-44 factory load.
Last edited by DWalt; 01-28-2020 at 10:02 PM.
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|