Informal Pictorial Essay - K-38 Masterpiece (and Model 14) variations

[410bore]

A couple 14-1's







An Early K38 Heavy Masterpiece with Target Hammer in 98%+ condition. Shipped January 1950. Serial Number K 804xx

 

[dgludwig]

For fun, look at the underside of the extractor star, you will need to push it out as if you are ejecting the shells and look under, use a flash light as the numbers are small (if there, you will probably not see the K, just the serial numbers), QUOTE

SmithNut: Yep, the serial number is stamped on the underside of the star extractor, just as you predicted! You answered my question regarding the model name (Masterpiece) being absent on my revolver but I'm still wondering if it's common for the model number not being on the gun. As I mentioned in my previous post, my Model 14 does not have the model number (14) anywhere on the gun. Thanks.

 

[SmithNut]

dgludwig,
Your revolver was likely made in the 1957/58 timeframe, which is about the time that Model numbers started showing up on S&W guns.
Regards,

dgludwig,
Note the first sentence in my previous response (above) ..... It's my opinion that your gun was made before they started putting Model numbers on. In the 1957/1958 they started assigning model numbers, different times for different models, and guns "in process" when the decision to stamp model numbers would likely not be stamped as such. S&W never did anything in strictly order, so you might find a gun who's serial number is slightly earlier than yours having a Model number, some after. It's just the way they did it.

So, to answer your question, it is not unusual to find guns in this timeframe with - or without - a stamped Model number.

Regards,

 

[dgludwig]

Thanks, SmithNut.

 

[gobbler]

K38 Target Hammer

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!

 

[DCWilson]

Gobbler, I'm glad that something I showed helped you understand your own gun better. If you letter it, don't be surprised if the letter doesn't mention the target hammer as an itemized feature on the invoice. Mine didn't, but I still think it is likely to have been original on the gun rather than a replacement.

One of the best things about threads like this is that specific guns in the collections of others can help us understand what we have in our own safes and lockboxes.

 

[Luv those S & W]

I just signed up on this forum,and was amazed how much you guys knew about S & W revolvers,I'am 56 years old and before the internet came out I couldn't find anybody that knew this much about guns,I fill right at home,like with SmithNut and the K-38's,do you guys remember Adam-12 they used 6 in. K-38's in the beginning then went to 4 in. K-38's?

 

[FatDogEarl]

What a great thread! I'm a tremendous fan of the Masterpiece and own several shooters.

 

[mesaman]

A great string of photos and information. My first S&W was a Combat Masterpiece purchased in 1953 just before being drafted. Plans were to take it to Korea with me but that wasn't an option. Cut ahead to 1978 when I entered the DPS-Arizona law enforcement academy. The CM was dusted off, Pachmayr grips attached and it served me until my retirement from the Mohave County Sheriff's office in 1986. What fond memories are attached to this fine piece. Now my S&W collection has bloomed to six revolvers, M-12 (snubby), the Combat Masterpiece, M15 .22 cal, M-1917 (.45ACP), and a 66-1. Also three autos M&P 40, 9mm, and .45 ACP. Kept an M28 until my grandson grew up and claimed it. I love my S&W's. Thanks again for the memories.

 

[Checkman]

I just signed up on this forum,and was amazed how much you guys knew about S & W revolvers,I'am 56 years old and before the internet came out I couldn't find anybody that knew this much about guns,I fill right at home,like with SmithNut and the K-38's,do you guys remember Adam-12 they used 6 in. K-38's in the beginning then went to 4 in. K-38's?

I have long wanted one of the K-38 Target Masterpieces that were cut down to 4" length by the L.A.P.D. armorers in the early seventies. Those models are just cool looking. But alas I've never come across one except on the Internet and owned by somebody else.

 

[97thSignalman]

My old 14-4

This old guy was probably someones duty gun. It shows lots of holster wear and it suffered a little corrosion on the cylinder somewhere in its life. I shoots like a dream...smooth and very accurate. I picked it up a couple years ago for three hundred bucks. Someone has to save these old working guns.

 

[whelenshooter]

I can't show a photo of it right now because it is buried in storage while we have our new house built, but I have a four inch bull barreled four screw Model 14 (no dash). When I first glanced at it in the gun shop counter I thought it was a Model 19 until I saw there was no shroud covering the ejector rod. The magna-style grips are serial numbered to the gun. The serial number is K406xxx. I need to get it factory lettered somewhere down the line.

 

[Checkman]

I can't show a photo of it right now because it is buried in storage while we have our new house built, but I have a four inch bull barreled four screw Model 14 (no dash). When I first glanced at it in the gun shop counter I thought it was a Model 19 until I saw there was no shroud covering the ejector rod. The magna-style grips are serial numbered to the gun. The serial number is K406xxx. I need to get it factory lettered somewhere down the line.

I look forward to seeing it.

 

[gunguy56]

I am fortunate to have recently acquired two(2) 1980 14-4's..both with 8-3/8" barrels. One is NIB but without docs or tools. The other is 95% with an clamp-on B-Square rib and a 2x pistol cope.. no alterations/drilling was done to frame thank heaven!! The first has serial 79K2xxx and the second has serial 83K5xxx. Will never fire the first and love to shoot the second....

 

[Bohonkie]

Absolutely gorgeous! I consider myself lucky to have my 14-4 (8 3/8") so I'm just astounded at the collection you have. Many thanks for posting!

 

[BoCash]

Model 14 Forever

Sorry I have not been around lately but happened upon this thread and it definitely got my attention.

While I have owned Smith wheel guns since 1958, I bought my first Model 14 in 1969, a 6-inch version that started me reloading. Since then, there have been dozens of them in many variations. The 8 3/8" versions were always my favorite shooters. Because of a change in my life recently, I sold a number of duplicates but am retaining enough to keep me happy.

If I were to dump all Smith wheel guns, a Model 14 (and maybe a Model 17) would be the absolute last to go.

Great thread!!!!

 

[JP@AK]

The top gun is fantastic, is it one of the Combat Masterpiece guns for Missouri? Are you referring to Lyle Larkworthy? He had some fine Law Enforcement guns and I recall him owning one of the 5" Combat Masterpiece models.
I'd like to see if/where they are from a timeframe perspective, love the early guns with the fish-hook hammer.

SmithNut
I don't know if you saw this in the thread I recently created about my "new" MSHP revolver. But with your comments here, I thought you might like to see it. I have the full history of where it lived for its whole life, from the time it left the factory and shipped to the MSHP, to the time it showed up in my collection.

 

[ddeanjohnson]

The Model 14-1 engineering change is a fairly scarce unit. As with many of the original guns, the -1 engineering change was only made for a short period of time. This gun is a 4 screw and has Target hammer and trigger, Target Diamond stocks, trigger stop, bright blue finish and standard sight package. There are a few scratches on the sight plate due to improper screwdriver handling by a previous owner, but as indicated above, the -1 is too scarce to worry about the little things....

Here is a 14-1, Single Action Only Variation. I acquired this revolver from Terry J. Popkin a couple of years ago -- Terry is also the photographer. A factory letter says that it was shipped June 28, 1961, and confirms that it shipped as a Single Action Only Variation. Note: the photo caption referring to "Roper grips" is in error -- the grips are rosewood Herrett's.

Douglas Johnson
SWCA No. 2404

 

[nocigar]

Davis custom 14-2

I have a 14-2 s/n k6688xx that has had the barrell replaced with a 1" tube that has been machined on both sides making it 13/16" wide and 5-15/16" from cylinder. A rib has been installed with built in front and rear sights that has bo-mar on the right rear. The top of the frame had to be machined to accomplish this. The lug on the bottom of the barrell is a double stepped from front to rear rectangle 4" long it has a spring loaded double ramped plunger inserted at the cylinder end that latches to a pin inserted in the cylinder yoke to help keep the yoke tight to the frame. Unlike the tripple lock the pin is not lifted by the cylinder latch. On the left side of the barrell are the words "DAVIS CUSTOM" does anyone have any history on Davis Custom?

Thanks Bill

 

[bgrafsr]

Back in the day Davis Custom produced a lot of PPC guns for the Practical Pistol Competition, and he was noted for making a very fine revolver. Your barrel is what is known as a slab sided barrel. Search for Bill Davis custom PPC revolvers and you will get plenty of info.