Need info on recent inheritance.

[indiandale]

IMG_1333.jpg

IMG_1340.jpg

IMG_1345.jpgJust inherited a 38 S&W Special CTG with the following information found on the revolver: K256798 found on the butt under grips, K19532 with the number 9 underneath found upon opening cylinder. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

[Tom K]

Read this and give us more information. To IDENTIFY your Gun >

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. You have a K38 Combat Masterpiece revolver, manufactured in 1955 and maybe shipped in 1956. It preceded the Model 15 by a year or two. This model was introduced shortly after WWII, in 1949, and ran until the introduction of the Model 15 in 1957. Perhaps the best target revolver ever made by S&W and maybe in the entire industry!

I forgot to add that the target stocks are not original to the since during that era, stocks had a diamond style around the screw.

[SS336]

Looks like a very nice Combat Materpiece from 1955.
Some people will come along with more knowledge and can give you more info.
That is a great revolver in very nice condition. A nice inheritance for sure.

[s&wchad]

Welcome aboard!

You inherited a K-38 Combat Masterpiece from the mid-1950’s. When model numbers were assigned in 1957, it became the model 15. It’s built on the square butt K frame. The target stocks/grips are later and probably date from the 1970’s. Nice gun!

[indiandale]

Thank you all for your quick responses. The revolver was a gift and originally owned by a serviceman stationed at the Panama Canal. His story was that he was awarded it after winning a shooting competition.
Also, he was a guard for the prisoner known as the "porthole murderer" aboard some cruise line. Lots of stories...fact or fiction?
Any idea what it should be appraised for insurance purposes?

[glowe]

The K38 Combat Masterpiece is quite common and you can always find them on GB and other gun auction companies. The original stocks would have been diamond frame K frame Magnas ($150) or diamond Targets ($250). Without the correct stocks, the gun is worth less, maybe $650-$700. Of course, without many more pictures it is difficult to be accurate on an appraisal.

[rbmac52]

If that were mine, I wouldn't take less than $800. Combat Masterpieces are not that common, unlike Model 15s which are very common, and that one looks to be in pristine condition. Additionally, it is fitted with a target hammer and standard trigger, which was typical of that era as an option (I don't believe target triggers were available then). The red ramp front sight is not often seen (though it may have been added later).

Nice gun!

[Muley Gil]

That is a non-factory red ramp. A factory RR would be much smaller.

[Green Frog]

Let me add my welcome too, indiandale. It appears your friend bestowed one of the most popular and widely used of all the target sighted K frame S&Ws. Several groups within the US military, especially the Air Force and flyers in other branches, used them widely so your friend’s story of winning it in some sort of military competition certainly would be possible. They were also used by some of the military police units of various branches as well, further adding support to his prison guard story too.
Folks here are big on originality, so the comments about the anachronistic grips are not surprising, but for most of the 20th Century, grips were changed pretty indiscriminately, so don’t be too worried about that. They really don’t harm the value too greatly and those grips are part of the history of that gun. You still have a desirable revolver, with a current value, depending on where and how it were being sold, of about $5-600 or perhaps more. I would insure it for perhaps $700 to be on the safe side.

Regards,
Froggie