The ULTIMATE K-38 Combat Masterpiece thread. Serial # database

[Jeppo]

Originally Posted by Engine49guy

Mixed bag of 4" Combat and Heavy Combat Masterpiece revolvers.
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No wonder I can't find one.

[CJS57]

Here is mine from 1952 when Rust blue was standard, this one was special ordered with carbonia mirror bright blue and high polish. The large capital B on many parts told assembly to use bright blue on it.

Combat Masterpiece Mirror blue!

[mclovinuga]

S&W 15-3 in nickel serial # 13K8380 (1977)

[D Brown]

Model 15-3, Blue, 4", Shipped 1969, Serial K909688

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Model 15-3, Blue, 2", Shipped 1971, Serial 1K51282

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Model 67-0, 4", Shipped 1974, Serial 6K57720

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Model 15-3, Blue, 4", Shipped 1974-5, Serial 6K96730

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Model 15-3, Blue, 4", Shipped 1977, Serial 11K4481

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Model 67-5, 4", Shipped November 17, 2016, Serial DDK6807

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That's right folks, that Model 67-5 that shipped in late 2016 has a one piece barrel! Just shows that you can't believe everything you read! Possibly a parts cleanup, but there are quite a few 67-5's with one piece barrels floating around out there!

Note: All dates are approximate, and based on serialization tables in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition, except the ship date on the Model 67-5, which is the actual date taken from the box label.

[Vilkus]

Ser. #K 1124xx Built in 1951 I believe.

[SFIDEC]

Have posted these in another thread awhile back. Was looking for a nickel M15 and ended up with 3 in a short period. Already sold off all but the one in forefront. Guess I'll call it "Pick of the Litter".
It is a 15-3 with SN - 8K83883.

[sheldon wade]

this is a K38 I bought a couple days ago, ser#K 3296XX comes out to 1958. are these the factory grips for a revolver of this age?

[Chubbo]

Originally Posted by Chubbo

This is my first centerfire firearm, a K-38 Combat Masterpiece. It is shown in a Cherry wood case that I built for it, along with all the accoutrements that i'v gathered for it over the years. It's ready to pass on to my Son, when I'm through with it. It has a target trigger, target hammer, white outline rear sight, red ramp front sight, one of the smoothest S&W triggers I'v ever pulled, set to 44oz. as per my specifications, and custom grips made from fiddle back maple wood from trees planted in our back yard 60+ years ago by my wife, and late Mother. the trees had to be removed , a few years ago, and some wood, from them used to make the grips. There is a much longer story about this Mod. 15, gathered over the years, since I bought it in 1953, and used continuously the 64 years since. I'v posted it before, on this forum, and won't repeat it. Thanks for sharing.
Chubbo

In my previous post, I decided not to tell the long, complete story about my Ultimate K-38 Mod. 15 Combat Masterpiece, as the story had been told before. I believe that story was lost a long time ago. Here it is again in it's entirety.

My Mod, 15 KM, was bought from a small Local gun store in Columbus , Ohio, in 1953, for self protection on our upcoming Trip to visit the Sandusky Bay area of Lake Erie. It was to be our first trip, since our marriage in 1951, a honeymoon of sorts. We spent one day in that area, then drove to Old Rt. 40, and drove West, stopping only to eat an occasional meal, and to sleep an hour or so in the back seat of the car, on the way to Denver Colorado, to spend a week with old friends there, and get back home in the two weeks allotted for the whole trip.

The Mod. 15 cost $85.00 new, and was modified during the following years, to become exactly the gun that I wanted.
I was privileged to be a member of Columbus Ohio's, Police Pistol Range, and a friend of it's Chief Armorer. The 44 oz. trigger job, was preformed by him, and is as fine, as any of my S&W revolvers. When asked what I owed him, On delivery of the gun to me after the trigger job, the armorer apologetically asked "Would two dollars be too much?" I expected the charge to much more, and paid him the two dollars, as fast as I could.

This old Mod. 15 has been used in my Bullseye Competition, Coon hunting, while hunting rabbet & pheasant, target practice and, for self defense for 66 years, without a failure. It's my most used firearm.

Thanks for letting me share my 'long-winded' version of it's story.

Chubbo

[Chubbo]

D Brown;
In looking at previous posts, I noticed your post, #105, page 5, that shows your S&W Mod. 15-3, with a 2" bbl. I didn't realize that S&W had ever made a 2" Mod. 15. If I were still able to shoot, and collect firearms, a Mod. 15, 2", like that, would be at the top of my want/wish list. A 15, 2", paired with the 15, 4", that I have, would make a companion pair, comparable to the companion pair, of my 2", and 4" S&W Mod. 34 .22/32, kit guns. 'Just wishful thinking'.
Chubbo

[Pizza Bob]

Inherited mine from my dad.
15-3 1972 3K78313



Adios,

Pizza Bob

[Narragansett]

Originally Posted by Chubbo

D Brown;
In looking at previous posts, I noticed your post, #105, page 5, that shows your S&W Mod. 15-3, with a 2" bbl. I didn't realize that S&W had ever made a 2" Mod. 15. If I were still able to shoot, and collect firearms, a Mod. 15, 2", like that, would be at the top of my want/wish list. A 15, 2", paired with the 15, 4", that I have, would make a companion pair, comparable to the companion pair, of my 2", and 4" S&W Mod. 34 .22/32, kit guns. 'Just wishful thinking'.
Chubbo

Here is a NIB 15-3 X 2", a 15-3 4"( that i am still trying to figure out of unfired) and a 1950 K38 masterpiece, pre model 15

[zipty6]

Here's a K38 that I picked up in a local sale a few weeks ago. It has a target hammer and standard trigger. The trigger shoe was there when I received it. The revolver stayed in the same family for three generations prior to joining mine. I believe that K223543 puts it in 1954.

[nbedford]

Model 15-3, s# K977XXX, made about 1970.

[Truckfarm]

Model 15-4 Unfited and with the box. #770447. Warranty card and cleaning kit.

[Arquebus357]

Found this poor guy "down on it's luck" at a local pawn shop. I know, I know I lost any value it had by refinishing it. Oh well.
Model 15-2, K695230, 1966

[Art66]

Originally Posted by Arquebus357

Found this poor guy "down on it's luck" at a local pawn shop. I know, I know I lost any value it had by refinishing it. Oh well.
Model 15-2, K695230, 1966

Don't worry-it looks great now! Enjoy shooting it too!

[j a]

Here is my CM. It is a 15-3 with a 2 inch barrel. Serial # 6K936xx. And oh is it fun to shoot. JA

[BigBill]

My online dealer had a pre14 k38 combat masterpiece and a pre 15 k38 target masterpiece. I couldn’t let them get away. I got the k22 masterpiece target w/6” barrel first it’s my first s&w. I like it I went for the k38’s.

I’m not sure what there worth. There all in excellent condition

[NavySCPO]

My only K38, but it’s a nice companion to my 1953 K22.

K38 Masterpiece, K78879, Shipped 11/1949, letter from Roy on order for more details.

[nutsforsmiths]

Serial number K97481 shipped to George Lawrence Co, Portland, OR on November 28, 1950. What a great shooter!

[crazyphil]

How about a little love for the model 67 no dash. It's a Combat
Masterpiece too. Stainless Steel. Please don't hate me for the
rubber grips. I just happen to like the black grips with the silver
revolver, and after all, they were designed by Craig Spegel, so
they can't be all bad.

2nd from left relaxing in one of it's favorite holsters. A basket weave
Threepersons style with a "dog ear" by Tex Shoemaker. The belt was
a gift from my friend Red Nichols.

[nbedford]

I think the Model 67 no dash is up there in a class by itself.

[Paseclipse]

I'll throw the info for my M67-1 in:

Serial #- AAS2XXX
Product Code- 0671094031
Spec. Ord.- 3188 (July 7, 1983)

[saemetric]

15-2 with Rosewood factory stocks from sometime in 1965. K656393

[Ralph G. Briscoe]

I won't post a picture because it's gotten kind of ugly in it's old age finish wise and has a set of unsightly but wonderfully functional Pachmayrs on it, but it's my favorite, best-shooting revolver--a c. 1968 vintage (#K868095) Model 15-3. I got it a couple of years ago from an old high school buddy who went on to be career FBI. I also have a model 10, another 15-3, a 13, several J frames, a Colt Trooper, Official police and a few D Specials--all pristine....but when I feel like doing some plinking or something goes bump in the night I reach for the old one.

[iskra]

My one & only Combat Masterpiece, had it many years! No box or accessories. But nice gun & I'm satisfied! I do like the narrow rib/contour barrels. I'm also with such profile in K38 and K22 Masterpieces. (No K32... Don't ask!)
First 3 pix the Combat Masterpiece, SN K83135; single pix: .38 Masterpiece, SN K23391 & 22 Masterpiece K17041.

Thanks for the kind opportunity to see so many handsome Smith CMs and to share.
Best!
John

[helilogger]

Here is mine....... 15-4, 24Kxxxx, 1977mfg. Just need a set of Magna grips for show. As pictured for shooting.

[andy52]

I posted once in this thread but have gotten a couple more pre-15.
This may be the earliest ser# listed in this thread, at least from what I've read here.

Ser# K82259 shipped April 1950 according to Roy. Most likely produced in 1949.

[EddieHD]

Hey gents,

Mine is a 3T 81K92XX 4" which would be its year and the right grips? Thank you in advance.

Regards

[Vilkus]

Originally Posted by EddieHD

Hey gents,

Mine is a 3T 81K92XX 4" which would be its year and the right grips? Thank you in advance.

Regards

Looks like 1980 to me.
Great model. Good luck with it.

[Summersteel]

My K-38, first S&W I have ever bought and acquired this year!
Serial number is K182273 from 1953.
The upper gun is a model 18-3 from 1972.

[EddieHD]

Originally Posted by Vilkus

Looks like 1980 to me.
Great model. Good luck with it.

Thank you Vilkus =)