K38 Target Masterpiece grip question

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Housepuss

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I am considering the purchase of a K38 Target Masterpiece that
has a serial number in the K140 range...can't remember the last
3 numbers.

I know sharp shoulder magna grips were offered about that
period of time but would this revolver have been shipped with them or would it have shipped with magna style diamond
walnut grips.

The grips that are on it now are a home made pair of target grips that are horrible looking. From what I have been able to
learn the serial number range for K140xxx would put it in
1952. I just don't know if it's early or late 1952. Target grips were offered in 1951

If I buy this not sure if I will put target grips or magna grips on it. I assume the target grips would be non relieved diamond grips.
 
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A K-38 Masterpiece, serialized at K140xxx, very likely shipped in 1952. That would be near the end of the sharp shoulder Magna stocks, so that is probably what shipped on it. The more tapered shoulder showed up in 1953.

To be period correct, yes, targets would have no relief for the extractor.
 
K Target Masterpiece Stocks

My father had a K-22 that was made in 1952. Sometime after buying the gun he swapped the magnas for a pair of walnut S&W Non relieved Target stocks. The original stocks were diamond magnas with smooth shoulders. My K-22 made in 1950 has sharp shoulder magnas that are numbered to the gun.

Your K would look nice with either a set of early S&W target stocks of diamond magnas with a Tyler or BK grip adapter.
 
Well, the OP stated it's a .38... :)

But again, some K-38 Masterpieces with the Target hammer (and later trigger) have an additional "Target" sticker on the box end, but the "Target Masterpiece" name was not an official factory name.
 
Roy Jinks printed a list of "K" serial numbers years ago and labeled them as manufacturing dates. K 140,000 era guns were all made in 1952, but may not have shipped until the next year. If one askes for a date from the S&W Historical Foundation, you will only receive a ship date, as guns throughout S&W history were logged by the date they left the factory, not when they were manufactured. S&W did not ship in serial number order.

The use of the term "Target" was never part of the gun's name. Every "K" numbered revolver is a target revolver. Through the years, changes were made to the model. The gun saw Target stocks and hammer introduced in January, 1950, and target triggers introduced in 1953. The option of a heavy barrel for K32 and K38 Masterpiece revolvers became available in 1949, while narrow ribs lasted into 1952.

I believe the correct stocks, are the sharp shoulder style, as my notes state the rounded top was started in the first quarter 1953. When you asked the question about whether sharp shoulder magna grips were offered or magna style diamond walnut grips, both answers are yes. You may be thinking about the large Target stocks which were also available when your gun was made.
 
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I am not trying to hi-jack the thread, but if anyone could post a picture of the sharp shoulder vs. tapered shoulder magna grips, I know I'd appreciate the education. Good dialog here for learning. Thanks!
 
Courtesy of Hoosier45 from the notable threads.

cad7dee68c42842b5aeafde7cb87d617.jpg


OP, are you going to be shooting this pistol? If so, you may find the target grips much more comfortable and better to manage recoil. Personally, I'm not a fan of grip adapters as others tend to be and magnas alone do not give me enough "grip"- pun intended.

If not shooting, I prefer the look and period correctness of the sharp shoulder magnas.
 
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444 Magnum said:
. . . OP, are you going to be shooting this pistol? If so, you may find the target grips much more comfortable and better to manage recoil . . .

If not shooting, I prefer the look and period correctness of the sharp shoulder magnas.
Click to expand...

I see some minor differences in your image of a sharp shouldered set of stocks and some slightly earlier ones. I have a Masterpiece from 1951 and the image below shows a set of Magnas as well as a set of period Target stocks on another gun. To me, the checkering area looks smaller in your set and the shoulder is not as sharp?? Might just be different workers styles.

attachment.php
 

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glowe said:
I see some minor differences in your image of a sharp shouldered set of stocks and some slightly earlier ones.

To me, the checkering area looks smaller in your set and the shoulder is not as sharp?? Might just be different workers styles.
Click to expand...

Gary
Yes, I own more than 30 pairs of sharp shoulder Magna stocks ranging from just after the war until 1952. There are significant differences in the shoulder itself, from one set to another. Most of them are very similar, but some are markedly different. I don't know if that means they came from different suppliers or just different craftsmen, but the variations are noticeable.

The same may apply to checking. I've not noticed that so much.

Of course, the earlier Magnas with the prewar style of checking are very different, as this picture shows.
jp-ak-albums-miscellaneous-revolvers-picture8883-postwar-m-p-x2.jpg
 
444 Magnum said:
Since we're showing pics...

1948 My one and only. Grips are numbered to the pistol.


attachment.php
Click to expand...

in contrast, here is K38 from 1953 with number matching grips that shows the transition in standard magna grips
 

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Of all Magnas, I have always viewed the sharp shoulder style as the most aesthetically attractive. I believe S&W should have stayed with it much longer. I have several pair I bought as spares just for that reason back when they could be bought cheaply on eBay.
 
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