tecolote
Member
Fascinating thread! Can anyone provide details on the ISP rigs in the above photos,mfg,etc?
Regards,
Tecolote
Regards,
Tecolote
Il. State Police K-38
- Thread starter Joe Kent
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K-38's may have never seen the "Street", however.......
these photos may answer your questions, specifically note the years.
Occasionally, a recruit class would produce someone who was dangerous with a handgun (in the good way) and they seemed to hit everything they shot at.
Many went on to shoot with the ISP Pistol Teams through the years and the best of them were selected to compete for and won the prestigious "Governors 20." As the years passed, those men literally taught the ISP how to shoot.
My "educated" guess is they were the reason for the K-38 order.....and yes, the ISP did own K-38's, but they never saw the "street".
Class....dismissed. Integrity..., Service..., Pride.
these photos may answer your questions, specifically note the years.
Occasionally, a recruit class would produce someone who was dangerous with a handgun (in the good way) and they seemed to hit everything they shot at.
Many went on to shoot with the ISP Pistol Teams through the years and the best of them were selected to compete for and won the prestigious "Governors 20." As the years passed, those men literally taught the ISP how to shoot.
My "educated" guess is they were the reason for the K-38 order.....and yes, the ISP did own K-38's, but they never saw the "street".
Class....dismissed. Integrity..., Service..., Pride.
Last edited:
Allen-frame
Member
5" K-38 K302808. well used.
Here are pictures of my 5" K-38 Masterpiece. The serial # falls right into the run of I.S.P. guns. Obviously carried and shot quite a bit. Well maintained ,as by an armorer. I shoot it ,and it makes me look good.
Gun broker auction. 2 years ago. Seller was in Colorado. Gun belonged to his father. He was a moron. No letter ,no other details.
The grips show holster wear , lots of it.
Regards , Allen Frame
Here are pictures of my 5" K-38 Masterpiece. The serial # falls right into the run of I.S.P. guns. Obviously carried and shot quite a bit. Well maintained ,as by an armorer. I shoot it ,and it makes me look good.
Gun broker auction. 2 years ago. Seller was in Colorado. Gun belonged to his father. He was a moron. No letter ,no other details.
The grips show holster wear , lots of it.
Regards , Allen Frame
5" K-38 Master Piece
I know my replay is several years old but I have more information about the 5" K-38 Master Piece which others may find informative. My father purchased the 5" K-38 Master Piece when he joined the ISP in 1957. This pistol was a big purchase for him, along with having to buy all his uniforms and leather gear. He also had to buy the insurance coverage for the police car the first few years on the job. All that changed eventually and ISP now provides it all. I remember the day he had to retire his revolver and take up the issued S&W 39, he was not happy. I started my career in LE with his 5" K-38 MP until I could afford to buy my own. The pistol now belongs to my son. While I had the pistol I inquired with S&W about the history of it. Below is the response I received from S&W;
11/12/1981
Research of company records indicate serial number K302977 was one of 90 K38 Masterpiece revolvers equipped with a 5" barrel and blue finish. They were shipped on July 26, 1957, to the State Police in Springfield, Illinois.
Signed by;
R.G. Jinks
Services Operation Manager
Historian
I still have the letter.
I know my replay is several years old but I have more information about the 5" K-38 Master Piece which others may find informative. My father purchased the 5" K-38 Master Piece when he joined the ISP in 1957. This pistol was a big purchase for him, along with having to buy all his uniforms and leather gear. He also had to buy the insurance coverage for the police car the first few years on the job. All that changed eventually and ISP now provides it all. I remember the day he had to retire his revolver and take up the issued S&W 39, he was not happy. I started my career in LE with his 5" K-38 MP until I could afford to buy my own. The pistol now belongs to my son. While I had the pistol I inquired with S&W about the history of it. Below is the response I received from S&W;
11/12/1981
Research of company records indicate serial number K302977 was one of 90 K38 Masterpiece revolvers equipped with a 5" barrel and blue finish. They were shipped on July 26, 1957, to the State Police in Springfield, Illinois.
Signed by;
R.G. Jinks
Services Operation Manager
Historian
I still have the letter.
That is outstanding . . . thank you very much for sharing. I didn't take time to go back and review the early posts but wanted to share with you that there were a total of three shipments to the ISP . . . 150 shipped 7/3/57, 90 shipped 7/26/57 and 230 shipped 10/15/57 for a total of 470 units.
Those of us who own a 5" ISP 38 Masterpiece believe it is one of the finest revolvers ever made by Smith & Wesson. It's a pleasure to meet someone who not only carried one, but who carried his Dad's 5" K38 and has already passed it on to his son. It don't get any better than that.
Russ
Those of us who own a 5" ISP 38 Masterpiece believe it is one of the finest revolvers ever made by Smith & Wesson. It's a pleasure to meet someone who not only carried one, but who carried his Dad's 5" K38 and has already passed it on to his son. It don't get any better than that.
Russ
Deacon KC
Member
Thanks for the info gentlemen, I now have the Joneses for a 5" K38........whimper.
