Recent content by kscharlie

When S&W first started production of the K38 Masterpiece after WW II, it had a tapered barrel and a "narrow" rib. I have a narrow rib that dates from April, 1949, and a Heavy barrel version that dates from March, 1950. Pic shows the two barrels and the apparent difference. Additional...

Length is another factor. Until recently, I was also unaware that early post-war N frame stocks were longer. IIRC, the length of the butt frame was shortened at around serial number S72000. Guns prior to that serial number had slightly longer frames, thus the stocks were also slightly longer...

KSQ is factory stamp meaning K frame SQuare butt. Serial number is from a different gun.

Very nice OD. However, correct target stocks for 1955 would be non-relieved. Relieved targets started sometime in 1956.

The stocks appear to me to be PC magnas. If that is the case, they came off a D prefix fixed sight K frame. That serial number with a D prefix would have been from around 1973. Are the bottom of the stocks rounded off? BTW, that is a very nice looking Masterpiece.

I have not done much leather work in quite a long time. Still have lots and lots of carving tools. First pic shows some of my tools. Second pic shows a grooving tool, lacing and stitching chisels, and two different stitching spacers. Last ones are a few of my projects.

Looks like an original factory SA hammer to me.

As noted above, shooting any .22 High Velocity ammo (shorts, longs or LR) has a very good chance of damaging the barrel extension. Cracks, chunks missing or the entire extension gone is not an unusual occurrence, caused by way too much pressure for these little guns. I have two of them, along...

No, the "silver thingy" is not what you are looking for. Note in the attached pic...single action hammer on the left, double action hammer on the right. The DA hammer has a very distinct notch on the face of the hammer. It is smooth without the notch on the SA hammer.

The .22 Hand Ejector often goes by the moniker of "Ladysmith" (one word). The newer .38 & .357 snub nose revolver was given the name "Lady Smith" (two words). If you search the S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 subforum using the single word Ladysmith, you will find numerous threads about this...

Don't very often see a BSR that has been "enhanced" without chopping the barrel and/or boring the cylinder. The ivory stocks are gorgeous!

In one of my "discussions" with Roy Jinks regarding serial numbers and ship dates, he said: "Charlie, collector put to much importance in serial numbers and forget that these are manufactured products and that serial numbers to Smith & Wesson are only important for the legal requirements of...

Engine49guy, And a LERK one liner , Have one... And a satin wide rib 6" Have one... And a polished narrow rib 6" And a 5" narrow and wide rib, And of course a 4" 14-2 Hanen And a 4" 14-3 wide rib And a 14-6, full underlug 4" and 6" And a PC Heritage 14 in blue and case color And might as...

So the first Masterpiece I obtained 10 years ago is a 14-1 from 1961. The second and third one are both 5-screw guns from 1949 and 1950. Several months ago I decided that my collection was really in need of a 3-screw. Found one on GB a week or so ago that did not have the best pictures, but...

While I personally do not consider my Model of 1955 a first year gun, it does create an interesting conundrum. It is a 5-screw gun that was not shipped until March 3, 1959. The serial number is S130822. Roy says the frame was made in 1955. He explains the apparent discrepancy in dates in the...