K-38 Masterpiece Confusion!

[janman]

The features on my K-38 confuse me. After reading a few threads on the K-38, mine seems to have a 1949 serial number (K773xx on the butt) but a later wide rib barrel but an early fish-hook hammer. Is this one of those transitional guns that had features spread over design changes? Any feedback would be helpful.

I bought this thing in the 80's so I'm also kinda curious about it's current value if anybody wants to take a stab at it.

Thanks

 

[JP@AK]

The features on my K-38 confuse me. After reading a few threads on the K-38, mine seems to have a 1949 serial number (K773xx on the butt) but a later wide rib barrel but an early fish-hook hammer. Is this one of those transitional guns that had features spread over design changes? Any feedback would be helpful.

I bought this thing in the 80's so I'm also kinda curious about it's current value if anybody wants to take a stab at it.

Thanks

Can you show us a picture of the muzzle?
K773xx would, indeed, indicate 1949.

 

[4barrel]

Here is a 49.

 

[janman]

Can you show us a picture of the muzzle?
K773xx would, indeed, indicate 1949.

I can take more pics later today. BTW: It's a wide rib/heavy barrel (I think).

 

[janman]

Was the front sight pinned on the wide rib?

 

[JP@AK]

It's a . . . heavy barrel (I think).

Yes. Your first picture shows a heavy barrel with the appropriate taper on the front of the frame for that barrel. That makes me suspect the rib is wide also. However, it will be helpful to see it. Most likely this is an early K-38 Heavy Barrel example.

 

[DWalt]

The closest SN I have listed to your K773xx is K761xx shipping in 10/49 (which is a K-22). But it's definitely in the 1949 manufacturing SN range.

 

[janman]

The closest SN I have listed to your K773xx is K761xx shipping in 10/49 (which is a K-22). But it's definitely in the 1949 manufacturing SN range.

Is there a specific date or S/N when the barrel/rib width was changed?

 

[BigBill]

Would this be an early k38 target masterpiece 38spec? The actions on these were so smooth, built by the old s&w craftsman. The k actions is what got me interested in s&w revolvers.

 

[DWalt]

Is there a specific date or S/N when the barrel/rib width was changed?

The first K-38 HB was completed on 2/4/49. Apparently both barrel variations were available, or at least cataloged, until 1953.

 

[janman]

Would this be an early k38 target masterpiece 38spec? The actions on these were so smooth, built by the old s&w craftsman. The k actions is what got me interested in s&w revolvers.

Yes. It just seems to me that it has an old serial number (ca. 1949) but a later barrel design. Was 1949 the year they transitioned to the wide rib/heavy barrel?

 

[janman]

The first K-38 HB was completed on 2/4/49. Apparently both barrel variations were available, or at least cataloged, until 1953.

I knew somebody would solve the riddle of the conflicting parts! So for a few years you could get both styles of barrel? Did the catalog show both?

 

[DWalt]

I knew somebody would solve the riddle of the conflicting parts! So for a few years you could get both styles of barrel? Did the catalog show both?

I don't have a S&W catalog from that time, but the 1952 Gun Digest S&W product listing shows both the K-38 Masterpiece and the K-38 Heavy Masterpiece.

 

[JP@AK]

As I mentioned earlier, the frame on the OP's gun has the flat taper that was used when a K-38 was mated to the heavy barrel. Those mated to the tapered barrel had a side-slanted taper. Hence, this gun came from the factory with the heavy barrel. By about 1953, they had used up all the 6" tapered barrels that had already been forged (including the approximately 367 that were cut down to 5" for the MSHP order in 1952) and the tapered barrel version of the K-38 Masterpiece was dropped from the lineup. The side-tapered frames continued in use for the .38 Combat Masterpiece, which continued to have the tapered barrel.

So, you had about 4 years when the K-38 Masterpiece was shipping with both barrel configurations. Some (many?) of the early heavy barrel versions shipped in boxes where the label was altered to reflect the different barrel. I believe there are some photos floating around here on the Forum.

 

[Walter Rego]

This K38 Narrow Rib Barrel variation is in the K75,000 serial number range and shipped on 6/1/49. It shipped to the legendary Marshall Fields store in Chicago. It lettered with Magna stocks, the non-relieved Target Stocks are a few years newer.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

If there is confusion about K model Smiths, that's about as good a subject that I can think of to be confused about. I love to read about them.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[linde]

Is there a specific date or S/N when the barrel/rib width was changed?

As DWalt has indicated, the wide rib barrel was officially introduced 2/4/49 . . . although both barrel profiles continued to be offered until Sept 1953.

My notes indicate that occurred around K76XXX . . . which would be consistent with the OPs example and others posted above.

Russ

 

[janman]

I'll take a few more pics later today so you all can use them as a reference point. Any guesses as to value?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

ANIB Exc VG Good Fair
1250 650 450 300 250

(SCSW, 4th Ed., Page 169).

 

[Targets Guy]

Great learning thread. Thanks.