I recently saw a K38 Combat Masterpiece pre-model 15 at a local fun shop and started to wonder if that it be more desirable than a model 15-any, or if the model 15 would be more desirable? This is assuming that all other factors such as condition and accessories are the same. Also, which would be worth more? What are your opinions and why? The K38 that I saw was about 90% condition, the perfect condition for an “I won’t feel guilty about shooting it” shooter!

Grab the Masterpiece !!!

Randy

The five screw, pre Model 15 or .38 Combat Masterpiece as it was officially known as prior to the model numbers is the more desirable gun, all other things being equal. It's not a factor of which one is better finished or put together unless you are talking about a Model 15 made in the last 15-20 years or so. The early Model 15's are nice guns, especially when they have the original Diamond Magna stocks. It's just that people like the 5 screw design.

Here is mine, a late pre-model gun from 1956. It took a long time to find one.

Attached Images

K-38 C.M. Right.jpg (100.4 KB, 115 views)

I'd go for the pre-15 but keeping in mind
it wasn't really OK'd for plus P.

But then I have plenty of Model 15s including
a late model one with the "bull" barrel.

__________________
Ubi Est Mea

I would get the pre Model 15 and then I would get a Model 15 and then you can determine which one you like the best.

__________________
James
On the Llano Estacado

I'm thinking it's more like the people like the manufacturer's philosophy extant when the 5 screws were being made---and from the very beginning.

There are two (and only two) such philosophies among the world's manufacturers:

1. We will be successful if we build the best possible product for the price.

2. We will be successful if we build the product for the lowest possible cost.

Pick one.

Ralph Tremaine

I own a 1948 38 Masterpiece, a 6". I'd love to have a 15, but the Masterpiece reared it's head first, and now I'm not sure I need a 15.

__________________
Heavily armed old man.

It might be a good idea to review the changes made on the way from the "Combat Masterpiece" to a Model 15-3 or -4. I am not sure I know the ins and out of all of them, but some certainly do not cheapen the gun in any way.

• 15-1, changing the thread of the extractor rod, was a practical change. Weird, maybe, but practical.
• 15-2, deleting the trigger guard screw, and changing the cylinder stop, the implications of that are a bit over my head.
• 15-3, relocating the rear sight leaf screw, seems like a good idea, even if perhaps not as relevant to a .38 caliber gun.
• The next change, moving the gas ring to the yoke for a couple years, is my least favorite, but by the 15-4 that was reversed.
• 15-5, eliminating the pinned barrel, is perhaps everyone else's least favorite change, and the most visible since S&W revolvers lost the fifth frame screw.

My favorite would be a 15-3, BEFORE the first gas ring change. It is easily available online, not expensive, and the early 15-3's still have an awesome deep blue finish and are the end of the hand-fitted era. Period-correct Target Grips are easily available in a variety of wood, from Walnut to Rosewood and other "Fancy Woods" in-between.

You can get two 15-3's or -4's for the price of one true Combat Masterpiece pre-Model 15 in a high grade. And one matching box, maybe. That one can go in the safe while you are shooting the other one, .

My Pre 15:

Mine is far from pristine as an old used cop gun. I shoot and carry it frequently so I never worry about putting more wear in the finish.
I decided I wanted a shooter grade 15 about 10 years ago. I went to my usual shop and asked the owner who I am well acquainted with if he had any 15’s. He brought out a plastic tote full of them and told me pick whichever one you want, $300. I found a non model marked one ( actually a 4 screw which I think should have a model number but in this case did not) with matching number grips, so I forked over the $300. I should have bought a couple more!
The same dealer about 8 years earlier, did the same plastic tote full thing when I asked about model 10’s. He told me then pick whichever you want, $165, and if you buy 2 or more I will drop the price to $150 each. Man I should have bought a few more of them too. As a general rule the earlier 5 screw guns are going to hold value a little better than later vintage, though these days, it seems prices on any older blued S&W have increased substantially!!

2017 I was walking around the gun show. A guy was selling a 15-3 that had been fired extensively. He wanted $350, dealers offered $300 and I offered $325. He carried it around for me a few hours then took my money. Best S&W revolver I have ever owned, and I have owned/own a few. I gave my other one to my son. The white ramp on the sight is well done, trigger like butter. An unexpected treat, ser #K996XXX. Joe

__________________
Behavior Creates Destiny

I resolved this issue many years ago.


1955 K-38



1970 Model 15

__________________
Mike
S&WCA #3065

I have a K38 (5 in) and a 4 in pre 15.........Bases covered.

__________________
S&W Accumulator

I own both but I'd keep the Masterpiece if I could only have one of them.

It would not matter to me, but I would be all about condition! Bob

“Would you rather have a K38 pre-15 or a model 15?”

Yes please! Either-or.
Both great revolvers, a person could not go wrong with either one. Get the first one you see, in the condition you want, and be happy.

A pre-15 is a .38 Combat Masterpiece.
A pre-14 is a K-38 Masterpiece.

Why limit yourself?

My Combat Masterpiece .22 (pre-pre M18) and M67 get shot more than my K38 and other 6" guns. Largely because of my interest in IDPA with 4" barrel maximum.

When it comes to S&W's, the more screws, the better!

I would opt for both.

Hmmmmm?

Page 170 of the SCSW 4th edition calls the pre-15 a K-38 Combat Masterpiece, not a .38 Combat Masterpiece.

I wish I could get both, but they don’t have a model 15. It sounds like the consensus is to snag the older pre-15 anyway.

I’m a little prejudiced because I have this 15-3. It’s a nice shooter. The only pre-model anything I have would be the M&P 38, I think it is, which some would say the predecessor to the M10. Nice guns, whichever!

Attached Images

IMG_0294.jpg (116.8 KB, 9 views)

__________________
Waiting For The Sun.

S&W did not advertise or catalog the Combat Masterpiece as a K-38, nor were boxes so-labeled. Always shown as a .38 Combat Masterpiece. The Masterpiece (6”) was cataloged as a K-38. That has been discussed numerous times here. I think there was one instance involving an instruction manual in which a .38 Combat Masterpiece was referred to as a K-38. Probably a copy editor’s mistake that got through.

I don’t doubt you in the least bit. I was just going by the reference material that I have. I appreciate the clarification.

I haven't had a true pre-15 Combat Masterpiece come along yet but I have had a 15-no dash and a 15-2.

The -2 was almost new in finish except for wear at the muzzle - it was the only spot, not the cylinder edges or a turn line, so no idea how they did it, but a very lightly fired gun. Numbered service grips with one chip, but a very pretty gun. I took it in part trade for a series 80 1911 I had, and so on. A year or two later I traded that -2 along for a LNIB West German PPK w/o import marks, but then later that same show came across a table with an elderly gent and a very familiar looking revolver - this turned out to be the 15 no dash. It was a no brainer for the price despite having more wear to the finish, timing was excellent. Traded towards a very clean 586 later, but kinda wish I kept that one.

I own both, shoot both,like both, and keeping both, lol !

10 years ago at a small town gun show a guy had the 4" and 6" Masterpiece, take your pick, $450 each. They were used but not abused. Only real flaw was somebody had driven a nail with the 6" and the grips were dinged.

The 4" passed the revolver checkout with no issues and it went home with me. Serial # K21xxxx, 1954, 5 screws. It was my first K-frame target. Later I got a 17-3 and a long-barrel 14-3. The bluing on the -3 guns was outstanding, and that might be something to consider. Also if you like the TT and TH, you are more likely to find them on the later guns. But the 5-screw shoots as well as any of them, including the 8-3/8" Model 14.

Bought a Pre Model 15 many years ago. Didn't really know why, but the price was low and it looked like a good shooter. It was cleaned and made ready for storage. Was handling it years later and found it was my birthyear gun. I am well pleased with it.

Hey, my .22 C.M. is in the K210000 range.

Anecdote alert:

There me and Dad were, about 1960 or 61, scanning the gun cases at the old Aeromarine Supply in Birmingham. I saw this .22 revolver on a shelf behind the showcase and asked about it. The dealer said:
"We took that one in on trade and when we cleaned it we found the barrel was bulged. It is going back to Smith and Wesson for a new barrel."
I looked at Dad, he nodded and I said "Will you let us know when it comes back?"
So he did and Dad signed for it, and it was mine. It is one of the flat finish postwar guns but now it has a shiny barrel. The ringed barrel is in a parts box somewhere. I thought about having it relined and getting back to original appearance, but it shoots too well to mess with.

I later went several years that a .22 wasn't "with it" but I learned better and it is now a favorite and a regular "batting practice pitcher" to warm up for any DA shooting.

I own one of each, Of the three I would keep the 5 screw combat Masterpiece, but I like them all. My favorites are the Pre-War .38 M&P Targets. I just like the slim barrel and the just a little lighter revolver. The actions seem just a little smoother.
SWCA 892

My 1980 15-4 with red stag grips from Rogers Custom. My favorite S&W revolver.

Attached Images

Gun and Knives.1.jpg (85.7 KB, 12 views)