I am looking at a 5 inch combat masterpiece (pre-model 15) for sale and need some help. The gun has a serial number of K304XXX, which puts it in the 1957 year group. It has a wide rib, heavy contour, 5 inch barrel with a Baughman type ramp front sight. It comes with a proper box, end label stating "Heavy Masterpiece", Blued, six inch, with the six being crossed out and replaced with a five.

First question: Is it rare? Second question: What should I pay? finish is around 95%, but I don't think the grips are original to the gun as they are non-relieved targets. Any help would be appreciated.

Jump on it!! The only one's I have heard about were made for the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Illinois State Police. Some troopers I knew carried them when I first got into LE. I used to hear that S&W denied ever making a 5" Masterpiece, don't know how true that statement was, though. The MSHP went to the 4" when they couldn't get any more of the 5" guns. That's one cool gun, good luck and please report back. Most of the one's I saw had a lot of holster wear, but mechanically lightly used.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

There are better experts on this forum than I am on the Illinois State Police K-38 Masterpiece, but I recall more than one thread that identified the circa 1957 heavy barrel 5" K-38 Masterpieces as being the Illinois State Police order. Use the search capability in this 1896 to 1961 forum to find them. Here's one in particular that you might find interesting Il. State Police K-38

Your K304XXX serial number falls in the correct ISP range.

I have one of the tapered 5" barrel K-38 Masterpieces that is confirmed to have been one of the Missouri State Highway Patrol order in October 1952.

Like you, these are the only two versions of 5" barrel K-38 Masterpieces that I am aware of. The MSHP order was 284 guns and I believe the Illinois State Police was 320. Pretty small numbers.

Russ

Ditto on the MSHP being issued 5" Model 15's. I am a retired local officer, and a childhood friend is a retired MSHP trooper. He carried the 5" Model 15 before they went to 4" bbl revolvers, 15's, and then Model 66's. When the newer revolvers were issued, I think he was able to buy the 5" Mod 15.

Thanks for all the info. I knew this was the place to ask, you guys are the best! I am a retired Montana Highway Patrolman, so the law enforcement relationship definately peaked my interest. I went back to the shop, based on your advice and "jumped on it". $400.00 out the door. Appropriate magnas shouldn't be to hard to come up with. I wish I had some original paperwork or a receipt, but the having the original box numbered to the gun is a good start. I am not picture savvy, but a friend of mine is, so I will post pics when we can get together. Again, thanks for the timely advice.

Randy

linde, would you mind posting a picture of your 5", if you get chance?

Happy to post the (not-so-good) pictures I have. I'll take some better ones and share later.









Russ

HeloMt,

Congratulations on your acquisition . . . we're all anxious to see pictures when you're able to post them.

Back in 1980 & 1981 a list of 310 serial numbers was published that were identified as being purchased by or for the Illinois State Police. If you'll share with me the complete serial number via PM or direct to my email, I will look it up and see if yours is on the list.

Russ

Russ,

Thanks, I will PM you with the number and will hopefully have some pictures for you by the end of the week.

Randy

I didn't think that hammer was used as late as 1957.

Neat gun.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

My 5 inch is of the Missouri Highway Patrol variety. Serial #K1571xx. Smith Wesson's letter varified this. Mine is GREAT shape and I paid over $500 so I hope that makes you fell good about your purchase. It has an awesome action and very accurate. Enjoy yours.

HeloMt---

You got a really good deal on that gun for $400 out the door.

__________________
NRA Lifetime Member

Thanks . . . and you are right about the hammer. The ISP K-38s were shipped in 1957 but the MSHP K-38s - like the one pictured - were in the K1522XX to 1577XX s/n range and were shipped in October 1952.

Russ

Nice - now I want one....

__________________
My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I have always wanted one too, but have not seen one since MSHP quit carrying them. Maybe someday, I'll get lucky too.

Great find and please share some pictures.

Thanks

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

The sun wasn't fully up when I took these this morning, but they're better than the earlier ones. Again, this is the October 1952 Missouri Highway Patrol K-38 with the tapered 5" barrel. The Illinois State Police version was the heavy 5" barrel. Both are outstanding.






Russ

The ISP guns were Model 14's. Here are two.
DW

HeloMt,

If you hadn't bought that S&W, I would have flown up to Helena, bought the gun myself, and then kicked you in the butt. Actually, I have one; serial number K3033XX, but two is better than one.

Seriously, I would estimate that 99% of the people here are envious of your luck. And if you hadn't bought it, I'm sure there would have been a lot of people here who would have been happy to buy it for themselves. It is a rare gun. You are very very lucky.

For those here who have never been in Helena, it is beautiful in the summer. There is a museum with a large collection of Charles Russell paintings. You can see what the old west looked like through his eyes. In the same museum, that have Jim Bridger's Hawken rifle. Winter in Helena is something else.

Outstanding and rare K-38 Masterpieces . . . and you have TWO of them!

One question. You say Model 14s . . . did they have the model number stamped in the crane or were they technically pre-14s?

According to the literature there were two groups that went to the Illinois State Police - one with 90 units in the K302XXX range and the other with 230 units in the K303XXX - K305XXX series. Don't know when the first group shipped but the later group was documented as having shipped in October 1957, so I suppose they could be either.

Russ

Thanks for all the comments and help. In regard to the model number stamping, mine has none. The only thing stamped inside the crane is 0. Linde has been very helpful with serial number information. Next order of business will be a letter. And yes, I was very lucky....better yet blessed.

I was #2 in line. I threw the offer out there that IF he didn't want it...I'd happily take it. But knowing the OP....I knew he would snag it.

He's a stand up guy. As honest and loyal a friend anyone could ever want. A guy like that DESERVES a find like this from time to time! I think it was just Karma.

FN in MT

Thanks for the kind words. Frank! I am glad I bought it, between jag312 and yourself, I couldn't have taken two butt-kickings! I'll see you Saturday.

linde, I have one from each group. K286661 and K304214. You are correct they are pre 14's
DW

weqqwI need to find out how to post a pix.

See the link below....

http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum-o...tos-forum.html

Sounds more like a 5 inch K38 than a 5 inch Combat Masterpiece. There is a difference.

Great gun at a great price! Congrats!

It's sad to see a retired highway patrolman turn to crime and steal a gun like that...

__________________
Oh well, what the hell.

This one is the IL State Police version. Shipped 7/3/57, S/N K28576X. It was sent back to the factory and refinished by the original (trooper) owner in 66. It is a 4 screw. Linde helped me identify what I thought it was.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Congrats Randy!
5" Masterpiece or K 38, either way you are a lucky dawg...
Cap. Sports?

I won't get into which model it is, but for $400 I think it was an excellent buy. Had I seen it for that price I would have jumped on it. Congrats to the OP. Well done!

Dave

__________________
RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

i just got my dad's service gun a k38,s/n331124, 4 in.bar. pinned . anybody know if its a CM? its got the adjt. rear sight. nno model num., probly a pre 15..
THX JD..

Your description fits a .38 Combat Masterpiece from about 1957, just before the model 15 stamping would have started.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thx Alan !