1956 S&W K38 Combat Masterpiece

[cmstuard]

I'm looking for a little help here on my 1956 S&W K38. I've tired researching this and I'm having trouble with two questions.

It seems the nickel version of this pistol is fairly rare so I'm having trouble pricing it. Does anyone have any guidance on this? It's is pretty good shape and mechanically solid.

I'm also trying to confirm if the grip on the pistol of stock factory original or S&W aftermarket. I don't think they are, but haven't been able to confirm this. From what I've been able to tell, the combat style grips are fairly sought after.

I appreciate any help I can get.

[barbsaurus]

More high resolution photos would help with an accurate appraisal. I don't see the bug screw on the top of the sideplate and can't see the 4th screw on the front of the trigger guard. Serial number would nail your 1956 date.

I have not seen too many nickel-ed pre-15s but a S&W rule of thumb is 10 percent of their guns were nickel-ed...of course there are exceptions.

I believe the pre-model 15 predates the grips by at least a decade if not two decades. There are others here that know when S&W began selling the combat grips. Those grips go for $200 +/- $50 on ebay.

I believe your pre-15 came with sharp shouldered diamond magnas. You should be able to find a nice set of sharp shouldered diamond magnas for less than $100.
S&W pre 10 5 inch 17.jpg

If it left the factory nickeled by S&W, it will have an "N" stamped near the bottom of the heel of the frame. Should also have an "N" stamped on the breech side of the cylinder. Without original grips, box, paperwork and tools, it is relegated to a nice shooter status. Depending on the condition and originality of the nickel, $550 on the low end...$750 on the high end. I'm sure others will be along to give their opinion.

[jeffrefrig]

Whatever it actually is, that wood does look nice on the gun. If I saw it in a shop like it is, I would be hard-pressed to not try to take it home; for the right money. Of course, when you have it in hand you know what you have and if you're willing to shell out the cash for it.
Have you shot it? If so, does it hit where it's pointed? Seems like a nice-looking shooter. Good luck.

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!

[glowe]

Welcome. SCSW4 book, by Supica/Nahas, does list the K38 Combat Masterpiece as coming in blue or nickel, but do not list any premium given to nickel guns. They do claim that the standard K38 Masterpiece nickel variation is a premium. My guess is that more Combat Masterpiece were nickel than Masterpiece, since they were popular law enforcement guns. The walnut diamond target stocks were available throughout the production run of the Masterpiece revolver line and would also be a good choice to put the gun in a factory period condition. They had what was called a small football cut-out. The small relief cut sharp checkering turn stocks ran from 1954 to 1961.

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by barbsaurus

I believe your pre-15 came with sharp shouldered diamond magnas.

Since the top sideplate screw is gone, 1956 (or later) is likely as a ship date. That being the case, this revolver would not have shipped with the sharp shoulder variety of Magna stocks. Those were used up by sometime in early 1953. This gun likely left the factory with diamond Magna stocks having the more tapered shoulder.

[cmstuard]

Thanks everyone, this is helpful. Unfortunely, based on what barbsaurus has said this doesn't appear to be a factory nickel gun.



jeffrefrig - yes, I've shot and it...shoots straight and very nice smooth action. Has target trigger and hammer from what I understand.

[Deceasedeye]

Originally Posted by cmstuard

Thanks everyone, this is helpful. Unfortunely, based on what barbsaurus has said this doesn't appear to be a factory nickel gun.



jeffrefrig - yes, I've shot and it...shoots straight and very nice smooth action. Has target trigger and hammer from what I understand.

The N missing from that spot alone does not preclude it from being a factory job. Does the N appear in the other locations?

[Wiregrassguy]

Push out the ejector star and look out for an n stamped on the cylinder.

Guy

[Waveski]

Your hammer and trigger look stock to me. The wide hammer was common the the Combat Masterpiece.

As to the finish - if that nickel is aftermarket someone did an exceptional job of keeping the side plate seam tight and the logo crisp. Recheck for the N as described in previous posts.

The Smith & Wesson Combat Masterpiece (later model 15) is hands down my favorite revolver. Yours is fine example.

[cmstuard]

Thanks for the help everyone. I looked at the rear of the cylinder and no N. There is only a K and the serial that is matching. Behind the star is a single dimple like on the barrel. I've not taken the grips off yet to look at the frame markings.

Might just have a good shooter, but I'm still having a hard time believing that this isn't a factory finish...lettering is just too crisp. I will look at the frame later tonight to confirm. Thanks again.

[Waveski]

Looks like factory original nickel to me.
I'd wager on it.

[cmstuard]

I thought I would share my findings. This looks to me to be refinished in nickel, but man they did a good job. Pictures don't do it justice. Any know what the T means on the frame stamp? Agree? Thoughts?

[jeffrefrig]

I'm no professional S&W historian like all of you guys, but I have a 15-3 I bought off a Forum member that looks to have the same trigger & hammer. I believe he told me it shipped in '73. Did S&W use that same combo all through this model gun? It's really a nice "feel" compared to the Model 10.
BTW, those newer pictures really came out nice and made the gun look as if it's sitting right here on my desk.

[Waveski]

The question is :
Are there any S&W revolvers of that genre that are factory original nickel but are not stamped "N"?

That details of that revolver look too good to be refinished.

[AKtinman]

Back in the 1956 era, didn't most Nickel adjustable sight revolvers ship with a Blued front sight? I think it wasn't until later that the front sights were Nickeled as they were forged as part of the barrel.

[cmstuard]

I've not heard or seen that.

[larryofcc]

I don't know about the nickel, but I would give you odds the stocks came off a M617. At one time, these combat stocks were bringing $200+++, and a lot of folks took them off their guns and sold them. Just like the Coke Bottle stocks. Same scenario. Big Larry

[handejector]

You have a VERY early 4 screw.
It has a Target Hammer and a standard trigger.
I do think it has had a very high quality refinish- possibly Factory in the 70s even though it is not marked as so.
Combat grips like that were not made by S&W till much later. They may have been added when the refinish was done.

[cmstuard]

All the help is greatly appreciated.