I always read about great finds but they never happen to me--untill today. I was hanging around a local sporting goods/gun store, which I never do, when a guy walks in with two Smiths he wants to sell on consignment. One was a Model 15-3, his former LAPD service weapon. He had the original box. It had the DAO modification done by the LAPD. The other was a model 14 no dash with a six inch tube and the original box, which he said he purchased around 1958. Both were around 80+ percent, very clean,with very smooth actions. The store priced them at $249 each. I did a quick-draw with my wallet and bought them on the spot. I had to share.

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jj

Sorry, I can't do pics untill my unconstitutional waiting period is over.

Sounds like you got one heck of a deal!!! Two S&W's for $500 what a bargin. Every once in a while you get lucky just got to be at the right place at the right time and be ready to buy them up because those would'nt have lasted long at that price.

Yeah! Nice catch.

Nice! Congrats, Nick.

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NICK-SWCA-NRA BENEFACTOR LIFE

Outstanding! Congratulations!

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

You got those so cheap you should send me one just so you'll feel beter about it. It's great hear about a good deal here in Ca. Bruce

Quote; "hanging around the gun store which I never do".
What are you, married?

All kidding aside, I guess we know where to find you in your spare time from now on, don't we??


How about a picture of a nice K-38 masterpiece from about 1957?







Regards ,,,Al

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Very good catch, congratulations.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Congrats. Pics!!

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July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909

I snoozed and I lost. A local gun shop had two M19s in the case - one looked 80% ($395) and one was beat to hell ($325). I passed, went back to hagle, and both were gone. You were smart to move fast!

....and what store would that be in SanP? I lived in SanP many moons ago while I was in college.

Also, what's with the Bajadoc? When I was a SoCal type, I spent a lot of time in Baja, especially the San Felipe area.

Good catch on the revolvers!

Brian~

It happens! Congrats on a fine brace of pistols!

Nice going! Unbelievable deal for CA to.
Can't wait for the pics.

Mike

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

What a wonderful find. The 5 inch K38s have been made with the straight walled barrel and the tapered of the Combat Masterpiece. Since yours is a straight walled barrel it is, in technical terms, a K38 special barrel length and not a K38 Masterpiece. The Masterpiece would have the tapered barrel. Sorry to be picky. By the way, now that you have found out it is not a "Masterpiece," I am sure you will want to get rid of it, so if you will contact me, I will take it off your hands!

Like Mickey D said, two "in the box" vintage Smiths for under $500.00 is finding the golden goose in Northern California. I paid that for one without any accompaniments, and am happy with it! So, what a wonderful story of "See...they are still out there!" Congratulations! Like Steve Martin said, "Ti Ming is everything." Waistgunner

Was that at Pacific Sporting Goods on Pacific Ave? I grew up in San Pedro, on 13th and Leland.

Anyway, great deal. Hope you enjoy them.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

Great story. When I was an LA cop I could have bought literally dozens of S&W revolvers for great prices-especially from retiring coppers and others that wanted a pistol after semi-autos were approved. Nobody wanted a cherry pre-15 DAO or a nice 3" J-Frame...K-38s were available for a $100 bill. Brand-new Smiths languished on the shelves of the Revolver Club up at the Academy. Autos were hot; revolvers were, well, uninteresting. Times change.
Bob

Is the 15-3 duty gun LAPD marked? A real score. You should buy a lotto ticket, you are on a run.

LAPD-issue revolvers were not marked.
Bob