K38 Masterpiece

[supersmitt]

"yes I did say that it was a K38 Combat Masterpiece"

Wow, I need my eyes checked!

I did leave out the word Combat, so your eyes aren't too bad!!

 

[supersmitt]

I am looking for a 1959 model 15 K-38 Combat Masterpiece. I have the 1961 15-1 pictured, but it isn't in the best of condition. I was born in '59 and served as an Air Force cop and I would really like to have this particular model to go in my display case with my USAF gear. If anyone knows where I can find one, contact me here or at [email protected] Thanks.

 

[Evil Dog]

Seems a little on the pricey side but here you go.... AFOSI Badge -Air Force Special Investigations

 

[Iggy]

Any of you guys spend any time at FEWarren AFB? If so did you ever make it out to the Poppa Flight of Minuteman Missle Sites?

 

[supersmitt]

I did spend time at Warren, but it was while working on an investigation as an O.S.I. special agent. Not much time for personal travel.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Haven't posted this pic in a while, but it seems appropriate:

 

[Dingelfutz]

Here are my original holster, ammo pouches, and one round that was all I had left after a firefight!! Glad it didn't last longer!!!!! And yes I did say that it was a K38 Combat Masterpiece, but thanks for keeping an eye on things.

Except for the revolver's grips, this equipment looks to be very similar to the gear that I used. back in the '70s. When I purchased my own weapon, though, I chose a S&W Model 10 Heavy Barrel. I got tired of having my sights knocked off-kilter when I had to exit a car quickly or when one of my "customers" did not fully appreciate my ministrations.

The holster looks a lot like my old Don Hume Bill Jordan-designed Border Patrol holster, Is it?

 

[supersmitt]

The holster and ammo pouch are both my original issue equipment when I was an Air Force cop back in the 70's. No name on the holster, but the ammo pouch was made by Oklahoma leather works.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
What happened to the finish?
Jimmy

 

[supersmitt]

it was found in a barn where it had resided for about 20 years. i considered refinishing it, but decided against it with the advice of several reades on this thread. i am looking for a 1959 model 15 - K38 Combat Masterpiece if you know where i can find one.

 

[karamojo]

Cool gun, supersmitt, while I prefer mint models to the heavily used ones, history was definitely made with the latter guns (like yours!).

Are you willing to share the story of the gunfight? Any lessons learned during that encounter that might be of value to us here? I can only speak for me, but I love to read/hear about such personal experiences. Thank you.

 

[supersmitt]

I can tell you that we were tracking stolen military weapons in Germany, and when we found the suspects, they didn't want to go quietly. We were pinned down for about half an hour before we got clearance to end it with two L.A.W. rockets. I lost one member of my team, but they lost seven !!!, and we recovered the weapons. It was only later that I realized I only had one round left. I've kept it for 30 years in honor of my fallen comrade. We also found enough intel to take out the buyer. Unfortunately, that was far from the last firefight, and I lost four more good men during the next 9 months. It took me a long time to talk about any of this, but now I find it helps to share some of my stories, so thanks for asking.

 

[karamojo]

I beg your pardon, Sir, for my late response.

Sir, thanks a lot for sharing this sad story. I can feel the pain for your losses. I am very sorry. I was raised in West Germany during the Cold War-era and I STRONGLY feel that we Germans owe brave American servicemen like you A LOT for enjoying the luxury of living free and in peace. I can only speak for myself, but I cannot thank you enough for your sacrifice…

May I ask you whether the criminals committing that act were or had ties to communist extremists/terrorists like the Rote Armee Fraktion (RAF)? As a boy and teenager, I hated them, their leftist ideology and their cowardly, murderous acts with a passion. Still do, in fact. If I'd be in charge I would never pardon any of those killers.

You Sir, your fallen as well as surviving comrades will be in my prayers tonight. God bless you all.

 

[sw282]

si-----------

 

[supersmitt]

I trained at Lackland and Camp Bullis, then served a tour as Presidential Honor Guard, then joined O.S.I. and traveled around the world. Once my active duty tour was up, I became a civilian O.S.I. Special Agent. Retired in 2004, but am still on standby call. I was based at Blythville AR., D.C. and Sembach Germany. where and when were you stationed?

 

[def4pos8]

Thank you for an inspiring thread! I couldn't find a U.S.A.F.-marked Model 15 but we were issued revolvers like my 15-2 on missile combat crew and at command posts. I DID NOT like the arrival of the M-9.

I spent WAY too much time for my own good underground around Minot, North Dakota. One fine evening I had to order a cop at one of my sites to "perform all necessary EWO-essential preparatory actions, evacuate the launcher and proceed 2,000 feet upwind to monitor security!" This did not make his day. Upwind or no, if the exhaust gas didn't get him, the shock wave of a 65-ton missile clearing the headworks at Mach 1.5 would not have been good for his health. At least I'd have a few more minutes to live. I did feel sorry for you guys.

I did cruise missiles in europe: Comiso, Sicily and Wueschheim, Deutschland. (Yes, Karamojo, we were under constant threat from the RAF. I carried an H&K P9S in .45ACP -- which I still own -- in the thigh pocket of my BDUs. If anybody noticed, they were too polite to inquire about it!)

So! Here's my 15, with a few momentos. The thing on the "rope" is the Deutsches Bundeswehr Schuetzenschnur im Geld. A few of us enjoyed "going native" and hanging out with the Kriegers!

The second image is of the original, temporary wing command post at Comiso Air Station, Sicily on Christmas Day, 1984. Mess dress, an M-15, eighteen rounds of PGU-12 and a 12-hour shift.

 

[cliff731]

A very good thread about one of my favorite S&W revolvers... the Combat Masterpiece. I enjoyed the stories and the photos.

Here's a 2" and a 4" Model 15-3...

Cliff

 

[cliff731]

One more... a Model 67 "no dash" Stainless Combat Masterpiece...

 

[supersmitt]

I'm looking to purchase a model 15 in fair to good condition, I can have it re-blued if I need to. but I'm living on a small disability check, so I can't afford much. If anyone knows where I can find one, it's for a display case I'm making for the family of a fallen commrade. I have an extra holster, but I also need a double pocket ammo pouch like the one in my photos earlier in this thread. Thanks for any help. ( love the pics cliff731 ).

 

[supersmitt]

Almost forgot, I need a chrome whistle with chain if anyone knows where I can find one. Thanks.