Informal Pictorial Essay - K-38 Masterpiece (and Model 14) variations

It's been awhile, but here is the Third in my series of "Informal Pictorial's"......

The truth has - unfortunately - started to get out, the K-38 Masterpiece is truly that - a world class Masterpiece. This model is an outstanding shooter, a great piece of S&W history, a finely crafted work of art..... For the longest time, they languished on dealers shelves while shooters and enthusiasts rushed to acquire the more popular (and powerful) .357 Magnum models. I'm concerned about the reputation getting out, the remaining guns out there are only going to be harder to find and higher in $$ as the word gets spread.... bummer as there are a few more I need to fill out the collection.

This essay will include guns spanning all three revolver time categories, so I'm posting it in the middle area.
Starting off with a couple "paper" scans.... Note that after Model numbering was introduced, the K-38 Masterpiece was also assigned the Model 14 nomenclature, in addition to, not to replace the Masterpiece name, FYI.



Note below, the K-38 Masterpiece designation on the original guns, but when the non-tapered wide rib barrel was offered, the factory made both versions concurrently for awhile, calling the newer heavier barrel profile the "K-38 Heavy Masterpiece". This continued until the narrow rib, tapered barrel versions were discontinued and then the name resorted to the original - K-38 Masterpiece.


Interesting old flyer/ad noting how the K-38 Heavy Masterpiece was used to set a World Record in November, 1954. Note that the gun shown has the non-relieved Diamond Targets as well as the Target Hammer, but standard trigger (just right!)


The following pics will show a chronology of gun configurations starting with my earliest example (1948 gun) through the non-lock Model 14 variations (up to M14-7). Hopefully these pics will show how the finish evolved over time, as well as several examples of hammer/trigger configs, trigger stops, barrel profiles and grips (to include some aftermarket grips shown on later model guns that came originally with rubber examples).
Unfortunately, in the early non-model numbered guns my earliest is 1948, and I'm missing examples for 1950, 1953 and 1954 (the search continues )

Enjoy.

K232xx - 1948 Example

This gun is from 1948 and has the original narrow rib tapered barrel. This gun is original, has numbered magnas with high horn/ridge, trigger stop, standard serrated trigger and "fish-hook" Hi-Speed hammer. Backstrap and frontstrap both have the coarse serrations (6). Frame marked with one-line address (Made in USA) on right. Finish is the matte blue (frosted blue?) typical of the early post-war production. Serial number is evident in six places, unsure if the sight is numbered as I've not had it off. No Box.

K759xx - 1949 Example

This gun is from 1949 and has the original narrow rib tapered barrel. This gun is original, has numbered magnas with high horn/ridge, trigger stop, standard serrated trigger and "fish-hook" Hi-Speed hammer. Backstrap and frontstrap both have the coarse serrations (6). Frame marking on right differs from the above gun in that it has the four line address (Made in USA, Marcas Registrada...etc.). Finish is the typical matte blue finish seen on early post-war guns. Serial number is evident in six places, unsure if the sight is numbered as I've not had it off. No Box.

K1049xx - 1951 Example

This 1951 example is a K38 Heavy Masterpiece due to the newer non-tapered wide rib barrel. The gun has the original numbered magnas, trigger stop, standard serrated trigger and fish-hook hammer. The serial number is still evident in six locations. The gun has it's original two piece Gold Box. The gun is unfired (since leaving the factory anyway).

K1091xx - Another 1951 Example

This K38 Heavy Masterpiece is the virtual twin - configuration wise - to the above 1951 gun, except that it's a bit less in the rating (probably 98/99% due to an ever so slight spot of muzzle wear on both sides ). Original Gold Box. The right Magna panel has a small chip out of the top, bummer...

K1410xx - A nice 1952 Example

1952 - a Great year!
This revolver continues with the (now) standard wide rib, non-tapered barrel. Still equipped with standard serrated trigger, fish hook hammer, trigger stop, etc. The Magnas on this particular gun are period, but not original. Finish is the matte blue finish in use at the time. Serial number still on all normal places (5 on this gun since the grips aren't original). No box. Slight amount of muzzle wear... they can't all be perfect...

K2319xx - 1955 Example

Jumping up to 1955 this gun differs from the previous in that it is equipped with a Target Hammer (however still has the standard trigger), as well as the finish is now the bright blue style (the previous guns all had the matte blue finish). This configuration (Target hammer, Standard trigger) was fairly typical of the time. Grips are the original Magnas. Slight muzzle wear, indicative of some use. The ampersand on the left of the barrel is a smaller version than previous guns, while still appearing to be elongated, it's less so than the earlier guns and the lettering is smaller than the earlier guns as well. The serial number is still evident in six places. Note also that the front and backstrap has a finer serration (10 lines) than earlier guns.

K2720xx - 1956 Example

This revolver is similar to the above gun, (TH, ST, Bright blue), but it is equipped with non-relieved Targets. I've also installed a S&W muzzle brake, although it is not original to the gun. Again, as with the previous gun, the Target Hammer and Standard trigger are often seen in this timeframe. Like the above gun, this also has the finer (10 line) serrations on the front and backstraps.

K3036xx - 1957 Example (and a very special gun)

This gun is one of the original Illinois State Police guns, shipped on Oct 14, 1957. Equipped with a five inch barrel and ramped front sight, this gun also has standard hammer and trigger. Currently it's wearing diamond Targets, but it letters as having Magnas as original. The gun was shipped in a two piece blue box with a tag indicating "K-38 Heavy Masterpiece" with the 6 (barrel length) over-written with a 5 in grease pencil, again a typical way these boxes were marked. The serial number is not present on the back of the cylinder or on the underside of the barrel, not sure if this is due to the special production or the late manufacturing date (likely both). I was very pleased to add this to my collection a few years back Thanks to the generosity of an advanced collector (Thanks Mike!)

K3398xx - 1958 Example (and also marked as a M14)

The first of my Model numbered guns, this is another very special gun (to me anyway). First, it's my earliest 4 screw example, second - I bought this gun at a pawnshop in downtown Seattle in 1995 for the princely sum of $175 (afterall - it's just a 38 Special...). This gun was my "league" gun for many years, has probably had 5k-6k rounds through it, and has an absolutely fantastic original DA action. The Diamond Targets are also unique, the speedloader cutout/relief area is different than any others I've had (these have been confirmed by some knowledgable trustworthy collectors as original).
The finish is the original bright blue, standard trigger and the (still!) fish-hook hammer make this a great gun. It's performed well for me and will likely do so for many years with one of my grandsons down the road.

K3665xx - 1959 Example - Another M14 - 4 screw

This Model 14 is an interesting gun, unfortunately not sure how it'll letter, probably as an original blue gun. Bought from a local collector (and past President of the S&WCA), this gun is my only 8 3/8" gun currently (got rid of the longer barrels over the years), and is unusual with the nickel finish. The gun is marked with an R-N in a rectangle box under the grips.
Neat gun, it caught my eye and displays well, not key to the collection but neat nonetheless. Features include Target hammer and trigger, blue ramped front sight with red insert and trigger stop.
Note - Nickel M14's do exist but are very scarce.

K4140xx - 1960 Example - Model 14-1

The Model 14-1 engineering change is a fairly scarce unit. As with many of the original guns, the -1 engineering change was only made for a short period of time. This gun is a 4 screw and has Target hammer and trigger, Target Diamond stocks, trigger stop, bright blue finish and standard sight package. There are a few scratches on the side plate due to improper screwdriver handling by a previous owner, but as indicated above, the -1 is too scarce to worry about the little things....

K5515xx - 1964 Example - Model 14-2 Single Action Only

This revolver, a factory Single Action Only version, was shipped Feb 3, 1964 to Loven firearms, Midland Park, NJ. Equipped with a TT/TH and standard stocks, this gun still has the original diamond Magnas. The serial number is not present on the barrel or back of the cylinder, but IS stamped on the frame in the crane area on this particular gun.
Of interest, while the gun is stamped as a M14-2 and is a 3 screw example, the factory letter notes that it shipped as a Model 14 (more specifically, a Model 14 Single Action)....... interesting....

Model 14-2 Dayton Gun Headquarters Examples

Starting off with the original flyer for this model:



The three revolvers in this pic below were from the special production run of 4 inch guns for Dayton Gun Headquarters. The Hanen Special is just that, a very special run of guns made with a heavy four inch barrel (probably from the Model 10 HB lineup). Made in blue and nickel finish, with options of Target or Magna stocks, and various ST/TT/SH/TH options, these guns were noteable in that the factory made them up with a reserved serial number range. While the Model 14 (and K-38 Masterpiece) models were not normally seen with 4" barrels, there have been some special production guns made over the years in small quantities. These Dayton guns were notable in that there were a couple thousand made. Mike Priwer wrote an article on the Dayton Guns a few years back for the S&WCA Journal, these are the guns he wrote about, I'm happy to have these in my collection now (Thanks again Mike!).

Info on the guns below:

s/n K624232 - Shipped Aug 16, 1965, Blue, TH, TT, TS
s/n K660961 - Shipped Feb 7, 1968, Nickel, SH, ST, PC Magnas
s/n K623405 - Shipped July 16, 1965, Blue, SH, ST, Std Magnas

K7510xx - 1967 Example - Model 14-2

This Model 14-2 is a nice speciman from 1967 featuring standard hammer and trigger, Target stocks and trigger stop. As with earlier noted guns, the serial number is no longer found on the barrel or back of cylinder. Standard bright blue finish and sight configuration.

6K662xx - 1975 Example - Model 14-3

Jumping forward to 1975, this -3 is a a pretty standard configuation for a Model 14 in the 1970's. Target hammer and trigger, Target stocks with football relief area, bright blue finish, trigger stop, etc. Serial number on butt and crane area.
Nothing exceedingly special, just a nice clean Mod 14-3.

75K02xx - 1980 Example - Model 14-4

Another late example of the traditional Model 14, this gun is from 1980 and features the standard of-the-day TT/TH,TS with speedloader cut-out, along with bright blue finish and trigger stop. Nice clean late gun, note the barrel is still pinned.

94K21xx - 1981 Example - Model 14-4

This Model 14-4 was a bit rough so it became a candidate for a project (after finding a BoMar rib in an estate sale). This gun, kind of unusual in that it has standard trigger and hammer (my favorite ), so the addition of the rib made it my retro target special...
Note that this still has a pinned barrel....

BRB06xx - 1994 Example - Model 14-5

After ~ 1982, the original Model 14 line was discontinued. The factory did some strange things for the next few years, merging the longer barrel versions of the Model 14 into the Model 15 (Combat Masterpiece) line.... in 1991, the Model 14 was re-introduced with a full-underlugged barrel in the Model 14-5 engineering change.
This example - with BRB serial prefix is from 1994 - features all forged parts, square butt gripframe, Target hammer and smooth combat trigger. These later frames do not have the cut behind the trigger for a trigger stop, however there is a trigger stop rod inserted in the rebound slide (internal). Since most of my later Model 14's (full underlugged models) came with aftermarket rubber grips, I've installed Spegel Targets on this gun to give it the respectible look & class it deserves.

Model 14-6 - Square Butt versions

The Model 14-6 engineering change replaced the Model 14-5 in 1994, bringing the new rear sight assembly and drilled and tapped frame, along with a change to the extractor. These early Model 14-6 guns have square butt gripframes. As with the Model 14-5 above, I've added aftermarket Spegel Targets to these guns to dress them up a bit...
These guns have BRS and BSB serial prefixes, making them 1994/1995 production.