I posted my first post over at the new members introduction section and thought it would probably make sense to post something in the forum that applies to this firearm. If there is anyone here like me that bookmarks their favorite forums that they visit then you will not see introductions, etc.

Anyway this old S&W .38 Special CTG is my father in-laws. He was a part time police officer back in 1949-1952 and this was the gun that he bought used for the job back then.

Anyway I've been doing a lot of reading trying to figure out how old this gun is, type of ammo, etc. I figured my best bet would be to join this forum because there's probably no better place to learn and share info from more knowledgable people with the same interest than this place.

The serial numbers all match. There is a second number stamped in the frame but it does not say model#. I read that the early K models did not have model numbers. It has to be older than 1949 because like I mentioned it was a used gun when he bought it. Ive looked it over close under a 5X Lighted magnifying lens and it could use a better cleaning, I can see a few small deposits visible in the barrel opening just forward of the chamber. The inside of the barrel looks like new. The rest of it looks pretty clean, no rust and the bluing is good with a little wear on the sides of the barrel at the tip probably from rubbing the old leather holster. There are 3 tiny diamonds missing fom the wooden grips only visible up close. There appears to be what looks like a very small notch filed into the left grip about in the area next to we're the S&W metal seal is located. It looks like it may have been put there deliberately with a small file because the cuts are 90 degrees, smooth, straight, and parallel to each other. I remember hearing how the old wild west gunslingers used this method to indicate how many kills they had. Hope that's not what this is all about. My father inlaw said he never shot anyone while he was on the force only in the war.

This is a used and old gun and I would consider it to be in very good overall condition. I'm no expert but when something is being used and not stored away it's bound to exhibit some signs of wear. This one displays very little wear so it must have had a good life.

It has a 6" barrel with adjustable rear sight, 6 shot which from what I've read this .38 Special was called a Target Masterpiece.


I'd like to know if there's a way to determine it's age maybe by the serial number. Its worth more sentimentaly then actuall cash value but it's probably a good idea to know it's value anyway.

Can anyone also recommend a good brand cleaning kit that has everything needed including quality rod(s) that don't flex or break at the threads. Hopefully one made in the USA.

Thanks!

You must throw some peanuts to the monkeys if you want to see the tricks. Post some pictures. Also a serial number or at least the first three numbers followed by Xs would be helpful. Sounds like you have probably nailed the ID but I could not definitely say from what I read that it couldn't be a pre-23, but maybe I missed something, I often do.

The first picture you see when you click on this link is identical looking to his and the condition looks as good. This should give you a good idea what it looks like. I dont have the time now to photo shoot the gun, transfer to computer, upload etc. but I can do it at a later time, Ive only done this a few times but I do remember how. S&W K-38 Target Masterpiece - Ruger Forum

Serial# K 1047XX

It's a K38 Masterpiece ("Target" was never part of the actual name). Becomes the Model 14 in 1957 when numbers were assigned. No model number on frame under cylinder crane indicates a pre-1957 date of manufacture.

That serial can't be right. Check it again.

Welcome to the forum.

A .38 Special with a serial number K1047xx (K plus six numerical digits) would indeed be a K-38 Masterpiece. It may have shipped as early as late 1950, but early 1951 is also possible. I have K100091, which shipped in December 1950.

No rush on the pics, but we'd love to see them. Go ahead and post them when you can.

You have probably already learned that the K-38 Masterpiece, which was introduced in 1948, is one of the best medium-frame target revolvers ever manufactured in the United States.

You are right about model numbers. They were not introduced for the s&W product line until l1957. At that time the K-38 Masterpiece was labeled the Model 14, and the four-inch version, called the Combat Masterpiece, became the Model 15.

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David Wilson

Wouldn't the serial number be the one that's stamped in the butt of the frame, cylinder, and barrel. These numbers are all the same, K 1047XX. One of these had an R before the K 1047XX. There is a few more numbers visible when the cylinder is open. They are on the frame, there is a 9 and 6 then under these it's 81284. I thought this number was a production number.

Well the thing that has me confused is my father inlaw was a cop in 1949-1952 so if his K-38 shipped out in late 1950, what did he use for the first year or year and a half. He had bought it used but he could be wrong that was a long time ago. Then again serial numbers don't lie.

The standard service weapon of this period was the .38 Military & Police, a fixed sight gun. The K-38 is the same gun, but with adjustable sights. Maybe he was assigned a standard fixed sight gun, but upgraded to a target model on his own dime when the opportunity arose. Or possibly he just borrowed a gun until he could get the one he wanted. I know police officers were not handsomely paid in those years, and the obligation to provide your own handgun would have been a financial stretch for many.

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David Wilson

I was thinking the same thing about the pay. Back then part timers use to be assigned to patrol with a full timer so maybe he didn't have a gun early on. He didn't have a lot of money or he wouldnt have been working an extra job. I'm sure what ever these sold for new were probably considered expensive back then. His leather utility belt is black and the holster is brown leather so it looks like he picked up what he could afford. He use to take it out once in a while a say it was special, I don't know if he was referring to its name or that he knew that it was special in the way of being of the finest revolvers ever. I will post some pictures.

Had a few minutes to shoot some pictures today so hope they came out ok it's been a while since I did this. I should have flipped the gun around to get some pics of the other side but I didn't even think about it at the time. If you see something that doen't look right for this model let me know. Remember this was used for Law Enforcement for a few years so it's not new by no means. Enjoy!

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roadhog, welcome to the forum and thanks for the photos of a great gun. D.C. Wilson gave great advice and I second what he said. The K-38 Masterpiece is one of the finest target revolvers ever produced. Your gun looks to be in great shape and a terrific legacy from you Father-In-Law.

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John. SWCA #1586

Love it!

I recently acquired a Model 14-3 - very similar to the OP's except it has the large target grips. I'll be heading to the range on Friday to shoot it for the first time. Funds permitting, I could really fall in love with these things.

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

It looks original/unaltered from the factory. If you take off the stock panels you should see the SN stamped on the inside of the right panel if they are also original. The 9/6/81284 stampings are factory internal codes. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Hog, welcome to the place and congrats on a great treasure.

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Always bet on stupidity.

Awesome sixgun. Thanks for sharing the history and pics.

That's a really beautiful gun. The blue is in really nice shape for a working gun!

"I know police officers were not handsomely paid in those years, and the obligation to provide your own handgun would have been a financial stretch for many."

DC, what year WERE cops paid handsomely? I must of missed it! I provided my own sidearms while I did my 25.

roadhog, you have a very nice revolver there. I hope you treasure it, for itself as a S&W, and more importantly, for the family connection.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Congrats and great looking K38 masterpiece. One of the most accurate revolvers ever produced. If I owned the revolver I would never sell it. This is a family heirloom.
Shoot it and enjoy it.
Regards,
Howard

Welcome to the forum. As others have already stated, that is a great gun and one that should be passed down through your family. It's street value may be $500 to $700, however, it's family value is priceless. This was not just your father-in-laws gun, this was the gun that he carried on the job to protect himself and those around him.

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James Redfield
LM #497

My father in-law has a 12 round belt holster that he used with his utility belt and old black leather braided Billy Club. There's only 4 lead bullets in it. The brass casings have a dull finish from age with some green crud build up were it touched the leather, maybe it got wet at some point. Dont know if the rounds are as old as the gun but I wouldn't be surprised. Do you think this ammo is still good after all these years if it is from that time period. The bottoms are stamped REM UMC 38 SPECIAL. I have no idea if their collectible. Are they worth just keeping for a keepsake?

roadhog96;
Go ahead and shoot those cartridges, but first, take a clean, dry piece of hard, coarse cloth like denim or muslin, and wipe off the verdigris (the green crud). Brass ctgs left in a leather belt will become corroded by the acids present in the leather due to processing and maintenance, but seldom so bad they won't fire. The REM-UMC ctgs aren't rare enough to become collectible unless you have a full box in pristine conditon. They probably date from the late 40's - mid-50's. Please keep us posted.

Larry

I wiped one down and the green rubbed right off. Took some ultra fine silver polish and lightly went over the brass and it shined up almost like new with hardly any effort. Don't know when I'll get a chance to fire them because I'd have to go to range.