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

I gots one! Today! Yea!!

Nickeled (chromed) Serial Number k969930 which seems to mean 1970, It needs a cleaning, a bit of polish, and a lot of shooting.

Nice 2 1/2 lb SA trigger and 9 poundish DA.

I've got some questions about the nickel job, but I'll do that in another thread and add some pictures..
 
This 15-4 is stamped W.L.E.A. (Wyo. Law Enforcement Academy), but that's Paul Harvey's "The rest of the story." As the academy armor's story goes a collection of these were only issued to students as back-ups if an student's gun malfunctioned. The Wyo. Department of Corrections Office of Pardon and Parole originally had the Model 15s and donated them to the academy "about 20 years ago," according to the armor. A bit more than a year ago the academy traded them for new semi-automatics so there have been a few floating around the shows this year. I'm still waiting to hear from Pardon and Parole whether they bought the guns new. If so I might letter it. SN 81K8928 from around 1980.
 

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I shot mine for the first time yesterday, after buying it last week, It's a shooter for sure, First 6 rounds at 30 feet, really two three round groups, I shot three and adjusted my hold and shot 3 more, It's an awesome performing 65 year old!

3fIabDMh.jpg
 
Crazy about the Combat Masterpiece. Here are a few to contribute to database. Have a few more but will have to check for serial # date before posting.

SN - K481159 - 1961 or 1962 ? Model 15-1
SN - K214127 - Pre-15 Shipped 4/19/1954 (Lettered Nickel - S&W Factory Refinish and Target Grips added in 1978)
SN - K239522 - Pre-15 Shipped 6/4/1957 (Lettered original nickel finish with numbered matching stocks) Separate picture on letter
 

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The Model 15 is indeed a very fine .38 Special revolver. I'm quite proud of my 15-3, shipped in 1971:

model15_zpsa696fbc3.jpg


HOWEVER, I do not agree that it's the best that S&W has done in that caliber. It can be improved in one major respect - it could be made out of STAINLESS STEEL!

S&W did just that, introducing the stainless version of the Model 15 in 1972. It was the Model 67 Stainless Combat Masterpiece. My 67-1 was shipped in April of 1978. A Model 15, but made of stainless, to me, represents the true pinnacle of the breed.

John

SampW_67-1_zpspau7zfgk.jpg
 
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My nickel 15-4 #22K83XX. The charts I've seen say 1977, but I bought it new in Houston, TX in 1980. I guess it could have floated around for three years, being nickel wasn't quite as popular? Plus things did not move as fast back in the day. Or the dates they list are a bit off. I do have the box and the original grips and the receipt.
 

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My first centerfire firearm

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
 

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Chubbo said:
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
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Great picture even better story of its history.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Gun store owner perks!

TAROMAN said:
This Combat masterpiece was brought to our LGS my a young fellow who had inherited it.
He just wanted fast cash. They gave him $100 for it, IIRC.
Store called me to help identify it.
Was in the box with receipt and paperwork from Evaluators, Ltd. of Quantico, VA.
Dated to 1951. This one went into the store owner's collection.
mpl.jpg


mpr.jpg
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Dang store owners! They get first choice!
 
Here is my 1961 model 15-1 that I had acquired from the original owner in my home town here in CA approximately 10 years ago in NIB condition. At that time model 15's were only available to LEO's except if you were lucky to find one from a private party to enable a legal PPT. It took me a long time to discover my beautiful 15-1 and this is the reason I had chosen to keep it unfired in my collection:


 
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