1949 K 38 question

bloo · #1 10-17-2010, 08:07 PM

Gun Broker auction 195070767 shows a nice K38 made in 1949. My question is the grip is numbered K80414 1949 and the barrel is numbered
K81847 also 1949. Any chance it came from the factory this way or was it re barreled. Any way to tell other than having it lettered.

Ted

VM · #2 10-17-2010, 08:17 PM

Ted - IMO, it's hard for me to believe that it left the factory with two different serial numbers on the components.
A letter would confirm the proper barrel length but don't believe it will discuss having an improperly stamped serial number on the barrel. The grips are not proper but have to be worth $150 or more.
It's a nice looking revolver but will never be a "collectible" with the mis-matched parts.

YeshuaIsa53 · #3 10-17-2010, 08:46 PM

Target hammer and trigger, slightly buggered screw, might be a great shooter. Stocks for $150 leaves a shooter for $400 needing your own grips.

jaketurtle · #4 10-17-2010, 08:50 PM

You know the cyclinder is numbered to the gun to at that time. That it is a total parts gun. The target trigger and grips is an add on.. Every good chance the hammer was an add on as I think 1950 was the first year for that. The pin and face plate screws have been obviously been removed at one time. To me it is only worth what the trigger, grips, and hammer are worth.

DCWilson · #5 10-17-2010, 08:57 PM

The gun also has a target hammer and target trigger. If the gun shipped in early 1950 (which I think is actually more likely than 1949), it might have had the hammer as an option. But I don't think wide triggers were available for K-frames until much later.

Feels to me like a custom shooter that somebody had a local gunsmith make up for him out of the best available parts. The unnumbered cylinder is also a giveaway -- the cylinder was sold as a loose part, not as an installed piece.

The gun could be an excellent shooter, but I concur about its collector status -- it has none.

bloo · #6 10-17-2010, 10:37 PM

I have seen many parts guns in M1's but this was the first S&W that I thought may be a parts gun. I didn't know this was being done with revolvers as it is with M1's. Most of the correct grade or claim to be all original M1's I see at gun shows are parts guns. I know my way around a Garand but I'm still pretty easy to fool with S&W's. The fact that I shoot all my guns shows I don't buy them as investments. I just buy what I like and hope for a good shooter. Tuesday I pick up my birthday gun, a pre 17 made in 1947. Looks like it was shot very little if at all and came with the original box. If any of you surf Guns America it is the one with the writing inside the box by the original owner stating who he bought it from the date, July XX 1947 I forget the day and the serial number and that he paid $65 for it. This one could be a safe queen but knowing me it will be shot before supper Tuesday nite. Pictures will be posted if I can figure out how to do it. Thanks for all of the replies.

Ted

bullmack · #7 10-18-2010, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaketurtle

You know the cyclinder is numbered to the gun to at that time. That it is a total parts gun. The target trigger and grips is an add on.. Every good chance the hammer was an add on as I think 1950 was the first year for that. The pin and face plate screws have been obviously been removed at one time. To me it is only worth what the trigger, grips, and hammer are worth.

Gotta give the seller credit for all of the detailed pictures that allowed those who know what to look for to make their evaluation!

larryofcc · #8 10-18-2010, 12:42 PM

bloo, 99% of all Grands are parts guns from what I see. The same goes for the carbines and just about any US martial arm. I have many years of collecting US martial arms and find most to have changed out parts such as stocks, bolts, bbls. War year guns especially. I don't think this K38 was put together to fool anyone, may have blown the original cylinder and replaced it by mail order of a cylinder. They used to ship parts out of the factory, but I doubt they do that any longer. Also common to put target accessories on these old guns.As stated here, it is no longer a collectable revolver. Just pieces of parts. Pretty gun, but I would not invest in it. I am too much a purist. Big Larry