Help with a 38/44 HD and new ones added!

[ChiefSillyHorse]

It was a perfectly good price in 2023. I own a couple dozen S prefix M&Ps, acquired over the past 12 years. A few years ago, I could buy one like yours for $400-$450. Now, $625 is a fair price, given the market.

I've also been conducting an in-depth research project on them with more than 15,000 units in my database. It may seem like a small addition, but adding yours to the database adds to the collective knowledge in the SWCA about these guns that will be preserved and available to members for many years to come, once I complete my studies. So, thank you for your contribution.

(And to be clear, ownership information is not tracked and will never be disclosed except in a few situations where I have been granted permission to do so. In the vast number of situations there simply is no need for it.)

Regards,

15,000?! That’s amazing! You should be proud of the work you’ve done this far. If I come across any others I’ll be sure to contribute them to you. A few years back, seems like you could find well used M&P’s in the 300-400 range, I was perfectly happy to add this one because it’s 99%, probably the best condition in my collection with a 19-4 and my pre-27 close behind. I added a few pics so you can appreciate it as much as I am!

 

[ChiefSillyHorse]

A few more I need help with!

Since you folks seem happy to indulge me in my pursuit for knowledge, I figured I would add a few more from the collection to see if you can enlighten me on ship dates and any other info you may have.

First up is a K-38, SN# K77693. It’s 6” blued in the original box and in the 98% condition range. It has a gorgeous set of target grips on it. I thought they were called “coke” grips but this is a K frame and some only equate those with N frames? Maybe someone can give me some more information on them. I would be especially interested to know if they could be ordered and originally come on a K-38, or if this was an addition at a later time. Someone please help!

Secondly, my late grandfather’s K-22. I started shooting this revolver when I was 4, and I can’t tell you how many thousands of rounds I put on it during my childhood. I used to get off the school bus and set up pop cans and shoot my hearts desire. SN# K153571. Amazingly, it’s still in great shape and sports original stocks and the original box I found in my grandfather’s belonging after his death. You can appreciate the immense pleasure I had in finding that box in the bottom of an ammo can, and seeing the wax pencil writing that matched it to the pistol of my youth. Out of all the Smith’s I own, this one is irreplaceable. My grandfather told me it was the best pistol he ever owned, and now I believe him! Any info you have on it would be awesome!

 

[JP@AK]

K-38, SN# K77693.

Your K-38 Masterpiece probably shipped in 1949, but it might have stayed in the vault until 1950. I show K77436 and K78822 shipping in November, 1949, and K77128 shipping in October of that year. On the other hand, K78197 didn't ship until February, 1950. They didn't ship sequentially and a records search is necessary for certainty.

It has a gorgeous set of target grips on it. I thought they were called “coke” grips but this is a K frame and some only equate those with N frames? Maybe someone can give me some more information on them.

I would be especially interested to know if they could be ordered and originally come on a K-38, or if this was an addition at a later time.

They are not "cokes," but they are non-relieved target stocks, which are very desirable and not cheap to obtain. As for them being original to that gun, it is possible, but I would tend to believe they were added later. Target stocks for the K frame were not available until sometime in 1950. Until those came out, the K target guns were shipping with sharp shoulder Magna stocks. The extractor relief on K frame target stocks showed up around 1954ish (which does not apply to your non-relieved stocks).

If you were to purchase a letter for this K-38, it would tell you the day, month and year it shipped, to whom and the style of stocks that came on it. The letter costs $100 for non-SWCA members, but I believe this revolver is worthy of a letter.

 

[JP@AK]

my late grandfather’s K-22. SN# K153571.

This one is from 1952, and I suspect it shipped in the second half of the year.

The Magna stocks on it are the sharp shoulder variety and 1952 is the last year those were available.

That is a very nice K-22 Masterpiece in itself, but the huge added bonus is that it belonged to your grandfather and was your shooter from a young age. You are privileged to be its caretaker.

 

[ChiefSillyHorse]

Wow, thank you so much for the information for both revolvers. Please feel free to add these to your databases to use as you see fit! I’m definitely considering getting some letters, but I have so many that I want to letter, I don’t know which to start with!

 

[DARE]

If you have a lot to letter you might consider joining the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association and the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation. I think it is $60 for the 1st year of S&WCA and a $100 donation to S&WHF.
Letters are $100. $90 if you belong to one organization and $75 if a member of both.
There are some benefits to SWCA membership. Supporting the SWHF makes possible the research to preserve the history of these guns.
You can save some money and do a good thing. Win, win.