S&W Revolver Help with Identification

RJR00 · #1 12-06-2016, 01:03 AM

Hello, I'm new to this forum and new to owning revolvers I. General. Long story short, my 93 year old Grandfather left behind this revolver. I am scheduled to pick in up this weekend so I do not have tons of pictures other than the ones attached. Looking for a little help identifying the year??? Wish I had more photos but that's all I have for now.
Serial# on butt of grip reads K 699713

Alk8944 · #2 12-06-2016, 01:26 AM

Since you don't mention caliber I will assume it is a .38 Special. If your gun is a 6" it is a K-38 Masterpiece, also known as a Model 14, made in 1966. If it is a 4" it is probably a .38 Combat Masterpiece, AKA a Model 15. I say probably because there are a few Model 14s made in 4". When you have it in-hand simply open the cylinder and look in the yoke cut. The gun will be clearly stamped with the model number. From the first photo the gun does appear to have a 6" barrel. This leaves out the Combat Masterpiece variants.

Depending on caliber it could also be a K-22 Masterpiece/Model 17 or .22 Combat Masterpiece/Model 18, K-32 Masterpiece/Model 16, or a Model 19 Combat Magnum if it is a .357 Magnum. There are a few other possibilities, but all of them are quite rare.

xseabee · #3 12-06-2016, 01:47 AM

Hello, I have a MOD 66-1 2 1/2 barrel that is pinned and recessed,gifted to me by a fellow Vets wife after he passed.The only other numbers I can find on it are on the cylinder arm. 2x272 Can anyone help me find a serial# Thanks
[QUOTE]

JP@AK · #4 12-06-2016, 01:59 AM

RJR00
As Alk8944 stated, the serial number points to 1966 for the year of manufacture. We can eliminate some of the possibilities he gave:
1. The barrel is clearly 6" long, so it isn't one of the Combat Masterpiece revolvers (Model 15 or 18).
2. The extractor rod is not shrouded, so it can't be a Combat Magnum (Model 19).

That leaves one of the Masterpiece possibilities. K-22, K-38 or K-32. The latter is uncommon, so most likely it is either a K-22 or K-38 Masterpiece (Model 17 or 14, respectively). Caliber will decide the issue.

The stocks don't appear to have the diamond, so they probably are not original to the gun. In 1966, the diamond was still there.

Muley Gil · #5 12-06-2016, 10:07 AM

[quote=xseabee;139359332]Hello, I have a MOD 66-1 2 1/2 barrel that is pinned and recessed,gifted to me by a fellow Vets wife after he passed.The only other numbers I can find on it are on the cylinder arm. 2x272 Can anyone help me find a serial# Thanks

Welcome to the Forum.

It would be best to start your own thread. You'll get more info because it will be read by more folks.

The serial number is on the butt. If the butt is covered by the grips, please remove the grips and post the number found there.

Pictures are always helpful.

RJR00 · #6 12-06-2016, 11:46 PM

Thanks for all your help!!! Much appreciated!! I'm picking it up this Friday so I will have more pictures and info. Once again, thank you!!!

Jimmyjones · #7 12-07-2016, 12:00 AM

I'm thinking K-38, zooming in I don't see the frame pin for the rimfire firing pin.

$0.02

JP@AK · #8 12-07-2016, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyjones

zooming in I don't see the frame pin for the rimfire firing pin

Good catch!

RJR00 · #9 12-09-2016, 06:31 PM

Just picked it up a few minutes ago. New pictures attached. Model 14-2 with 6 inch barrel. It's in nice shape. Doesn't look like he fired it much. It's been sitting in a safe for minimum 25 years if not more.

LeftHand-Fu · #10 12-09-2016, 06:38 PM

Nice! Confirmed: a K-38 Target Masterpiece made in 1966. With a 5" barrel it's worth more too!

jmace57 · #11 12-09-2016, 06:43 PM

Very nice RJR00! Welcome to the forum. You inherited a very nice revolver. As Jack mentioned, the stocks (grips) are not original, but the condition of the gun is nice. Congratulations! Stick around.

Jim

Peak53 · #12 12-09-2016, 06:48 PM

I believe that is the standard 6" barrel as measured from tip of barrel to front of cylinder. It's a beauty!

AlHunt · #13 12-09-2016, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJR00

Just picked it up a few minutes ago. New pictures attached. Model 14-2 with 5 inch barrel. It's in nice shape. Doesn't look like he fired it much. It's been sitting in a safe for minimum 25 years if not more.

Congratulations on a nice firearm. I'd suggest a non-metallic prop rod in the future to avoid marring the finish.

Enjoy it! It's one of the very best revolvers you'll ever own.

RJR00 · #14 12-09-2016, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peak53

I believe that is the standard 6" barrel as measured from tip of barrel to front of cylinder. It's a beauty!

Thanks. I will measure it right now.

Hondo44 · #15 12-09-2016, 06:52 PM

Welcome to the forum.

To verify the barrel length, you can't just measure part of the barrel, you have to measure the entire barrel. It looks like a 6" to me, and a nice one.

RJR00 · #16 12-09-2016, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmace57

Very nice RJR00! Welcome to the forum. You inherited a very nice revolver. As Jack mentioned, the stocks (grips) are not original, but the condition of the gun is nice. Congratulations! Stick around.

Jim

Thanks!! Now I have to find the original grips. Not sure where these grips came from but I was told he purchased the gun brand new and never altered it.

RJR00 · #17 12-09-2016, 07:05 PM

Confirmed!! 6 inch barrel. Thanks for all your help!! I'm going to stick around and learn!!!

Hondo44 · #18 12-09-2016, 07:05 PM

Those grips with the diamond in the middle around the screw were last used in 1968. They could be original if the gun shipped later than the 1966 estimate, there are no hard and fast rules on production or shipping dates.

But you can verify if they are original just by removing the right side grip. It'll have the gun's matching serial# stamped on the back.

RJR00 · #19 12-09-2016, 07:16 PM

Yes, the serial number on the backside of the grip is a match!

JP@AK · #20 12-09-2016, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJR00

New pictures attached. Model 14-2 with 6 inch barrel.

I'm glad to see the pictures. That is a very nice looking -2. Congratulations! You did well picking that one up. If the stocks bother you, I expect you can find some that are correct on eBay or Gun Broker. If you are just going to enjoy it at the range, just leave them be. There is nothing wrong with them as they are.

JP@AK · #21 12-09-2016, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJR00

Yes, the serial number on the backside of the grip is a match!

Okay. An interesting surprise.
There are a couple possibilities but I suspect the most likely is that this is a late shipper vis a vis the serial number. 1966 is suspiciously early for non-diamond stocks. Not impossible, I guess, but unlikely. If it were mine, this would be cause for a letter. The result could be quite informative and, perhaps, surprising.

RJR00 · #22 12-09-2016, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

I'm glad to see the pictures. That is a very nice looking -2. Congratulations! You did well picking that one up. If the stocks bother you, I expect you can find some that are correct on eBay or Gun Broker. If you are just going to enjoy it at the range, just leave them be. There is nothing wrong with them as they are.

Thanks!! The stocks have matching serial numbers so I will just leave them be. I'm trying to figure out if I should shoot it or just let it sit...

RJR00 · #23 12-09-2016, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

Okay. An interesting surprise.
There are a couple possibilities but I suspect the most likely is that this is a late shipper vis a vis the serial number. 1966 is suspiciously early for non-diamond stocks. Not impossible, I guess, but unlikely. If it were mine, this would be cause for a letter. The result could be quite informative and, perhaps, surprising.

A letter meaning to contact Smith and Wessons historian? Right? If so, I'm on it asap!! I will share the results. Thanks!!

Hondo44 · #24 12-09-2016, 07:33 PM

Shoot it!! and enjoy it!

You should probably clean under the grips and get some wax on the bluing where it touches wood.

RJR00 · #25 12-09-2016, 07:34 PM

Will do!! Thanks!!

LeftHand-Fu · #26 12-09-2016, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJR00

A letter meaning to contact Smith and Wessons historian? Right? If so, I'm on it asap!! I will share the results. Thanks!!

Looking forward to seeing their answer. Here's the link: Letter of Authenticity request form

AlHunt · #27 12-09-2016, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJR00

Thanks!! The stocks have matching serial numbers so I will just leave them be. I'm trying to figure out if I should shoot it or just let it sit...

It's extremely nice, but it has a turn line. Shoot it! If you don't, the next guy will ...

wgn1498 · #28 07-01-2017, 08:28 PM

Hello to the Group. I recently joined and need a little help with a Smith and Wesson revolver from my grandfather. I am loading three photos of the revolver. It is chrome plated, with serial number 53071, missing the front sight, cylinder is locked up right now, grip is broken on one side, and it looks like the extractor rod is missing the end possibly. Barrel length is approximately 2 inches. Hammer is checkered on top. Thats about all i know about it. Thanks.