sheldon wade
Member
no model number, hand ejector, K 329XXX serial #, 38 special cartridge, 4" barrel, post war adjustable sights, has strain screw in front of strap, is a 4 screw. what do I have and are these correct grips???
got this yesterday need info please???
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ABPOS
Member
I'll take a stab. I THINK it's either a Model 15 or if it's pre 1957 a Combat Mastepiece. Should just be .38 Special.
As far as the stocks go, no, I'd say they don't match the condition. And I THINK magnas are stock for a model 15. That one I could be all wet on. I think it's possible that if they were original to the gun they could be put away and saved, and then put back on to sell. I THINK if you pull them off there might be a serial number on them and it if it matches the serial number on the butt, you they are original to the gun. But I'm not sure if that fact applies to this type of gun.
Someone who knows more will clean up my mess but there may be some facts in there. If you open up the cylinder it might tell you what model number it is if it was made after 1957. It will have a 15 in there.
I'm interested to see what others have to say. One thing that has me scratching my head is the little nub of metal sticking out on the inside of the trigger guard just below the back of the trigger. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before.
As far as the stocks go, no, I'd say they don't match the condition. And I THINK magnas are stock for a model 15. That one I could be all wet on. I think it's possible that if they were original to the gun they could be put away and saved, and then put back on to sell. I THINK if you pull them off there might be a serial number on them and it if it matches the serial number on the butt, you they are original to the gun. But I'm not sure if that fact applies to this type of gun.
Someone who knows more will clean up my mess but there may be some facts in there. If you open up the cylinder it might tell you what model number it is if it was made after 1957. It will have a 15 in there.
I'm interested to see what others have to say. One thing that has me scratching my head is the little nub of metal sticking out on the inside of the trigger guard just below the back of the trigger. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before.
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sheldon wade
Member
the serial # dates it at 1958 but there is no model number inside the yoke, no serial number inside the grips but the buttons inside the grips are black looking
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Jack Flash
Member
The dates given are always approximate. There is always a phase-in period where some guns shipped stamped the new way and some shipped stamped the old way. And keep in mind S&W recorded the shipping date. It may have been manufactured earlier, sometimes much earlier.
Jack Flash
Member
What does it say on the right side of the barrel? I can read "Smith & Wesson" on the other side. If it doesn't have a model number it should have a model name.
Those grips (or "stocks" as S&W calls them) may not be original but they are very desirable! I think they were originally called something like "Target Stocks with the Extractor Relief" but many of us call them "Diamond Footballs" for obvious reasons.
Those grips (or "stocks" as S&W calls them) may not be original but they are very desirable! I think they were originally called something like "Target Stocks with the Extractor Relief" but many of us call them "Diamond Footballs" for obvious reasons.
Grayfox
US Veteran
The gun is pretty much a plain old Combat Masterpiece in fair condition. Serial number puts it about 1958 and its not unusual to find it not model marked as things were in flux at that time.
However, those are the very desirable diamond target stocks and they appear to be in very good condition. I'm no expert, but I suspect those stocks alone are worth $200 or more.
However, those are the very desirable diamond target stocks and they appear to be in very good condition. I'm no expert, but I suspect those stocks alone are worth $200 or more.
OP
sheldon wade
Member
it says 38 S&W special ctg and there is a K3 inside the yoke
ABPOS
Member
The gun is pretty much a plain old Combat Masterpiece in fair condition. Serial number puts it about 1958 and its not unusual to find it not model marked as things were in flux at that time.
However, those are the very desirable diamond target stocks and they appear to be in very good condition. I'm no expert, but I suspect those stocks alone are worth $200 or more.
They're really worth that much eh? His are in good shape too. I didn't know that they were all that desirable. I did hear this one other time and I took them off and put my hogues back on. Thinking I'll keep them in good shape. I like the lighter color of his.
DWalt
Member
SN would date its shipment to around mid-1958, so not too surprising there is no model stamping. I own a CM with SN K342xxx which has the MOD 15 stamp (attached, with non-original smooth presentation target grips). I also list a CM with SN K335xxx which is a Model 15, so yours is close to the Model 15 changeover. Yours is indeed a Combat Masterpiece (later becoming the Model 15). Generally, these came from the factory with Magna service grips as standard, not target grips. But it is possible target grips could have been special ordered with the gun as they at least seem to be period-correct. The target grips by themselves might be worth something in the +/- $100 range, possibly a little more. Earlier target grips without the football cutout would be worth considerably more.
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sheldon wade
Member
I said earlier looked blue but after looking again the buttons look more black, I thought these grips were special order on a gun if you wanted them back then.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
They could be ordered on most any K or N frame at that time, or they could be purchased as accessories - either from a dealer or direct from S&W. The only way to know what stocks that gun left Springfield with would be a factory letter. Very few sets of target stocks were serial numbered to any guns. The only numbered K frame targets I've ever seen or heard of were shipped on early Combat Magnums, aka pre Model 19's.
Mark
So, it is a well used Combat Special. 
Chances are it shoots like a laser with the sweetest of triggers.
Chances are it shoots like a laser with the sweetest of triggers.The metal piece you see is a trigger stop to limit trigger over travel. If you intend to use this revolver for home defense or carry, the trigger stop should be removed, due to the fact it can come loose and block the trigger from completely cycling. Back in my law enforcement days, I removed a number of them.
05FJFRider
Member
I have five in barrel and S#K302xxx. When was it made and did they make a pre 15 with a five inch barrel? It is also a four screw.
DWalt
Member
K302xxx probably shipped in the late 1957-early 1958 timeframe. There were a few special order 5" .38 CMs and Masterpieces made for MO and IL state police but I don't believe yours is in the correct SN range to be one. Others should know. A historical letter would establish that.
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sheldon wade
Member
thanks for all the good info, think I will keep it for a while, in it between 400-500 bucks so I am not hurt and probably have a great shooter
Texas Star
US Veteran
So, it is a well used Combat Special.
Read more carefully! Combat MASTERPIECE, not Special
.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
As indicated by others, your K-38 Combat Masterpiece is likely a factory original 5" that was special ordered but never cataloged. And, with a K302xxx serial number it falls within the K302 to K305 s/n range of which 465 shipped directly to the Illinois State Police in 1957. Several others within that s/n range were also 5" K-38s but shipped to S&W stocking dealers . . . including police supply houses in Illinois which sold to ISP troopers.
If you'd like to know if it was one of the 465 that shipped direct to the ISP send me a PM with the full serial number.
Russ
edit to add: we haven't seen a picture of yours but I feel certain it has a heavy barrel and a Baughman ramp front sight so we refer to it as a K-38 Combat Masterpiece "pre-Model 14" . . . there were later examples of limited runs of 5" Model 14-2s.
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