I was at a gunshow last Sunday in Fond du Lac, Wi.
Its one of the larger shows in our area. I walked the show twice but could not find anything I was interested in at the time.
Was headed toward the door when an elderly gentleman walked in with a S&W box. I asked him what he had and he handed me the box. Inside was a 5 screw K38 target masterpiece in very nice shape. His asking price was more than fair so I purchased it. We were both happy with the sale. Serial number indicates 1950. The box that came with the revolver is not original to the revolver. I have an ad in the WTB section looking for a box.
Jim
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Sweet. Glad that it went to a good home rather than a 'flipper' who would have talked the old fella down and then marked it way up for the rest of us.

Looks Great!

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On the Oak Savannah

Nice snag. The 5 screws are addicting. Well actually S&W revolvers are addicting. I bought 2 old 5 screws at a show today as well.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

You've gone and done it now, acquired a sickness for which there is no known cure. Seriously, you did well, hope it is the first of many more to follow and that you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

Very nice snag. Gotta love getting it before the dealer mark up.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Very nice, if you're like most of us it won't be your last 5 screw.

My best find at gunshows are always in the hands of those just looking to sell. Dealers charge a fair price most of the time but they have retail figured in and I prefer to by wholesale when I can. Not to mention some snags turn out to be gems and those gems never slip past the trained eye of most dealers.

I know it felt good when I got my first 5 screw M&P. Congrats on your new revolver!

How abut those grips, have you checked for matchiness? If matched add 10 bonus points.

Excellent K-38. I see it has both the heavy barrel and a target hammer. That would be one of the first "balanced" Masterpieces, whose dimensions were tuned so that the .22, .32 and .38 versions would all weigh exactly the same when loaded -- offering minimal distraction for the match shooter who competed in different classes.

The target hammer could be a later upgrade, or it may have been part of the original package. I think I might letter that gun just to see if it was one of the first K-38s factory configured for competition. I have K78197 (Feb. 1950) in that configuration, but apparently the target hammer was a later addition.

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David Wilson

Thanks for all the nice comments.
The serial number matches on the barrel, frame, cylinder and grips. K97xxx.
I thought something was different about the hammer and trigger configuration.
The hammer is a wide target but the trigger is the narrow service width.
After looking at the side plate screws I can't see that a screwdriver ever touched them or any indication that the side plate was taken off.
But that is based on my minimal experience.
Thank again
Jim

Cool!

From one "JimN" to another, I just bought a 5 screw .38 today as well!

Mine was a pre-model 10, 2", also at a gunshow. This is my second 5 screw though, but the first one I actually bought, as the first one was a gift.

K-38/model 14's are my favorite, however - I've got two. Enjoy your gun!

I also just purchased a 5-screw K38 Masterpiece (pre-14) on Sat. at local gun show. Serial number is K82XXX making it, I believe, 1949 production. It's my birth year! My K38 also has the heavy barrel / wide rib, target hammer, and standard trigger. Serial number matches on the bottom of the frame, barrel flat, and cylinder; but not on the grips. Is it possible the target hammer came with the gun from the factory? Appears there a some examples from the same production era with this configuration (target hammer).

The 5 screws have a great feel to them; great action, and you can truly tell the difference in manufacturing. Nice buy!

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Rather be outdoors

Hopefully the OP has found more nice 5-screw revolvers in the past 3 1/2 years .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Well in the last 3 & 1/2 years I was able to find a nice K22 Masterpiece it is a little younger than the K38 around 1954.
The closest I can get to a K32 $$$$$ is a 16-4, not the same but still does shoot very well.
I did find a nice box for the K38 still looking for one for the K22.

Jimn