4 Screw K38 again. Tech, cleaning and restoring ???

[FrankM66]

Thank you again for your help with past threads.
Yesterday I finally picked up my K38 Masterpiece 4 Screw
K303### from my local gun store. (10-day wait) I bought because I liked and thought it's bigger sister my 686 P-DX would like some company. With your help I was able to correctly identify it, and your educational responses have been wonderful.
Couple of questions.
1. It does not have recessed cylinder, should it? K303 circa 1957.
2. If a recessed cylinder is correct, can they be gotten? Are any other changes necessary or is it a straight swap.?
3. Both my frame and arm share a factory stamp of 5722 so I'm thinking they are a matched set.
4. I can't find any numbers anywhere on the barrel, should there be?
5. I've located what I believe is a nice set of correct Magna Diamond grips with a serial number less then a 1000 after mine and are waiting for their arrival.
Wood grip care questions, The Italian target grips that came with it were dirty and quite dry. I cleaned with soap and water and a tooth brush, dried them well and immediately treated with a linseed type oil. I was wondering about lemon oil which I've used on antique furniture.
What do you recommend for Wood grip care.
6. Firing pin, should there be very slight play at the pin to hammer connection?
7. First experience with Super Blue Liquid Gun Blue, the local gun store said could be used for/as touch up. I read directions. Basically I cleaned to be treated area with Isopropyl, swabbed the area with Blueing, watched it darken 30seconds or so and wiped area off with damp towel and distilled water, dried and put a swipe of oil over.
Results were ok, definite improvement.
8.Anybody use this stuff? Advice?
Do any of you polish your blue guns? Stainless? Would like my 2018 686 a little brighter.
Someday I want a nickel 44. What do you use?
Thank Again for the help.
Frank.

[Gunner99]

38 specials don’t have recessed cylinders.


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[DWalt]

1. Cylinder chambers are not recessed.
2. N/A
3. That is the whole idea of assembly numbers
4. No
5. You've probably done all you should do
6. Yes
7. Cold blue is OK for touchup so long as it's not in collectible condition. Different brands may produce different results. Acetone or MEK work well for degreasing. Heating the metal a little may also help.
8. Yes
A mild low-abrasive polishing compound may help. Also you may want to apply some paste wax.

[lestert357]

DWalt, when were barrel serial numbers discontinued? My K272259 has one.

[kscharlie]

Originally Posted by lestert357

DWalt, when were barrel serial numbers discontinued? My K272259 has one.

Our very own Hondo44 gave an excellent rundown on serial numbers in Post #3 of the following thread.
When did S&W stop matching numbers?

I copied and pasted his post into a document I keep on my computer for reference. Hope this helps.

[lestert357]

kscharlie, thank you, that is very helpful.

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by lestert357

DWalt, when were barrel serial numbers discontinued? My K272259 has one.

The standard answer you get around here is that the serial numbers on the barrel flat and the cylinder were discontinued when soft-fitting was eliminated in 1957. The problem is there is a ton of evidence that it was phased out sooner than that. I have two 1956 K-38 Masterpiece revolvers - one in the K278xxx range and one in the K285xxx range - that shipped in late 1956. Neither of them has a serial number in those locations.

[FrankM66]

Thank you for the help, I'm going to read more of the link KSCHARLIE posted.
I kinda breezed it and when I read that a serial number should be on the back of the star I just had to check.
Very tiny but it was there and matched up.
I am assuming the third place listed on the stock is another word for right grip? To bad original grips are long gone.
So two out of 3 isn't bad.
Only other numbers is that 5722 on frame butt and matching 5722 on Crane. Letters DW stamped under 5722 on Crane. And letters KO on the frame right where the crane butts up to frame when closed.
Still learning, appreciate the information.

[murphydog]

"Only other numbers is that 5722 on frame butt and matching 5722 on Crane. Letters DW stamped under 5722 on Crane. "

The 5722 is an assembly number, to get initially fitted parts back together at the end of the production process. DW may be a fitter's or inspector's stamp...or maybe Dan Wesson stamped his own personal gun.

[Skwirl]

Something I didnt see anyone else mention.
The gun is probably refinished, the black trigger and hammer arent correct. They should be case hardened color.
As for the stocks, i use Johnsons wax. Works well and I'll polish the gun itself also with it.
Enjoy your revolver, there are great shooting guns.

[FrankM66]

Skwirl thank you for your input,
The trigger has a shoe on it. I have not removed it, and don't know if I will.
I didn't know about the hammer, and trigger case hardened color I will research further.

[daddio202]

The trigger has shoe on it as mentioned by the OP and I can see the case hardened colors both on it and the hammer. Looks like gun is perfectly original to me. So let this be a lesson for the original poster to make sure when purchasing any more vintage S&W revolvers that they are as original as possible for collectable reasons. If you just want a gun on the cheap to shoot then it does not matter but as far as collecting goes original finish is a must and condition,condition,condition makes the gun valuable and collectable. Enjoy