K-38 in original gold box

[Greyman50]

Got bored the other day so drove up to Brunswick to check some “ porn shops” to see if any good revolvers. Lo and behold one had this, I about fell over. Had wrong put together cleaning materials in box but had original SAT at home. Latest addition to my K frame collection, to say I’m happy is putting it mildly.

 

[RKmesa]

Very nice 38 Combat Masterpiece. CONGRATS!!! That well-used SAT is the rare and expensive PRE-WAR SAT. The proper SAT for your gun is most likely the black knurled post war SAT. For reference, here's an SAT chart I put together.

 

[Hawg Rider]

That's a great SAT Chart that you put together, Richard. It'll be a big help to many Forum members including me. Is there a Sticky or some other place here on the new Forum format that it can be saved for reference?

 

[USBP SW]

Very nice! Tapered barrel? Looks like it has the target hammer!

 

[Retired W4]

Wow! That's a real sweetheart. Way to go.

 

[TheTinMan]

Very nice revolver! That isn’t the last K-frame I would need to complete my collection but it certainly is one I want.

 

[TJm15.38]

Congratulations! That is a thing of beauty!

 

[Onomea]

Very nice 38 Combat Masterpiece. CONGRATS!!! That well-used SAT is the rare and expensive PRE-WAR SAT. The proper SAT for your gun is most likely the black knurled post war SAT. For reference, here's an SAT chart I put together.

View attachment 755308

That's a great chart!

I recall being just flabbergasted at the prices for those 20 years ago when I first joined the forum.

 

[Greyman50]

Thanks for the reply's. Figured the SAT was off but better than the late ones I have. This K-38 has the .500 target hammer as listed in the S&W catalog.

 

[sophie]

Congratulations on the purchase of that fine looking K frame.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

That one would have come home with me for sure. Great buy!

 

[JP@AK]

Tapered barrel?

Yes. The .22 and .38 Combat Masterpiece units retained the standard (tapered) barrel all the way to the 1980s. Only the K-22 and K-38 Masterpiece units got the straight side barrel, starting in the early 1950s (and yes, I'm ignoring the K-32).

What happened to the Combat Masterpiece after 1982 is none of my business - my interest ends that year. And models got very mixed up in the 1980s.

 

[bobsguns]

K-38 guns wouldn't be considered a pre-Model 10, correct?

 

[JP@AK]

K-38 guns wouldn't be considered a pre-Model 10, correct?

Correct. The K-38 Masterpiece has an adjustable rear sight. The M&P/Model 10 is a fixed sight revolver.

Before WWII, K frame target models were simply target versions of the M&P. That started to change with the introduction of the K-22 Masterpiece in 1940. You could argue that it started with the K-22 Outdoorsman's in 1931. In any case, after the war, S&W purposely and deliberately separated all the K target guns from the fixed sight guns with separate model designations.

 

[bobsguns]

Correct. The K-38 Masterpiece has an adjustable rear sight. The M&P/Model 10 is a fixed sight revolver.

Before WWII, K frame target models were simply target versions of the M&P. That started to change with the introduction of the K-22 Masterpiece in 1940. You could argue that it started with the K-22 Outdoorsman's in 1931. In any case, after the war, S&W purposely and deliberately separated all the K target guns from the fixed sight guns with separate model designations.

Thank you for the history lesson!

I didn't think they were, but I couldn't recall where the K38 veered off. You answered that very nicely, IMO.

 

[raljr1]

Dave, that's a great pickup

 

[Greyman50]

This K-38 is a 1951 production according to the S&W catalog, birth year of late wife. Guess I’ll have to get all the K’s out of the safes and count them. Seems I find one or 2 forgotten. Sure many have the same issue. LOL

 

[jeffrefrig]

Greyman50, yes what you said! Nice problem to have! I've only got one "K," a K22 Masterpiece shipped in 1950. It was Dad's. (K91609)
One isn't a K prefix, an M&P 38 which became the Model 10. It shipped January 1949. #C37441
The numbers are just for reference in case anyone cares! If those K38s shoot as good as this K22, it's a definite tack driver.
You have a prime example of S&W's craftsmanship. Very nice.

 

[BillyKframe]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Greyman50]

Doubt I’ll shoot this like all the other as new S&Ws I have. Have enough others to shoot. Took my new Ruger 10 mm carbine to range today. Very nice except the horrid trigger. Ruger had to mfg the worst trigger I ever pulled.