DCWILSON & 410bore,
Your posts regarding K38 serial numbers K78xxx and K80xxx with target hammers intrigue me. I have K38 Heavy Masterpiece K82xxx which I thought from the standard catalog was 1949 production. My gun also has a target hammer which I thought non-orginal since I had read target hammers didn't appear until 1950. Based upon your posts, my target hammer may indeed be original to the gun. I guess the only way I will really know is to letter my gun. Thanks to posters on this forum, my S&W education continues. Fantastic thread!