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factory cut 5" K-38 Here are pictures of a factory-cut & shipped K-38 with 5" heavy barrel and standard 3/8" hammer that members can use for comparison. Russ

Thanks for sharing the pictures. With regard to the barrel being cut . . . it's my understanding that the factory did not have 5" barrel forgings so all 5" were cut barrels. While it appears to be done well, we would need to see the muzzle crown and top rib at the base of the ramp sight to...

We probably should reserve answering the value question until we know more about that particular 5" . . . even better once you have pictures you can share. However, having watched the 5" for some time I've seen sale prices range from $400 to $1,200 . . . with a scratch top even higher when two...

Most 5" Combat Masterpieces (tapered barrel) and 5" K-38s (heavy barrel) were shipped prior to model numbers. Is the 5" model 14 you're looking at actually marked "Model 14"? Or is it a 14-2 like the one Walter Rego showed in post #6? S&W ucla has provided a link to a good previous thread . ...

Not night sights. The book says the pre-rail 4513TSW came with 3-dot fixed sight but I don't know enough to say if they're the later 3-dot with the Novak Lo-Mount Carry rear sight version. Can you tell from this picture? Thanks for your helpful answers, Russ

I sometimes use a small diameter wooden dowel to push out the slide stop but my tool of choice is the tapered end of a broken chopstick. I agree, needing a hammer and punch to remove sounds like it wasn't in the correct spot. Russ

I’m a relative novice when it comes to 3rd generation semi-autos so it’s not surprising I have a few questions about this 4513TSW I picked up yesterday. 1) The serial number is MSF6531 but I don’t see any MXX s/n prefixes listed in the SCSW 4th edition. Is there anything special about the MSF...

I'll take both the J grips and holster . . . PM to follow. Russ

Question . . . is Italian-made Fiocchi 380 Lungo ammunition the same as .38 Long Colt? Went to an auction today and bought some "Cal. 380 LUNGO" which was sold as .38 Long Colt . . . but I'm having my doubts. I put a caliper to the two rounds . . . the case diameter is within production...

Based on my observations I believe the hammer you are looking for is the early fine checkered hammer. Speaking of hammer spur variations with the ball socket for the hammer spring strut . . . does anyone recognize this spur? This is the only example I've ever seen and have always doubted it...

It took me quite awhile to understand the serial numbering code on J-frames and the "floating J" series is the most confusing. Here's what I believe happened: In 1969 when the J prefix was first introduced, s/n's began with J1, J2, J3 . . . etc. Somewhere near the end of 1970 they reached...

Excellent example of a fine caliber revolver. Estimate very late 1968 or early 1969 production . . . 820xxx is a very high serial number before they adopted the letter H s/n prefix sometime during 1969. Not sure about current value but 32 Long seems to be gaining in popularity . . . a year ago...

Here is a link to a very learned discussion of the 3" K-frame barrels and what to call them . . . especially post #18. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/322930-just-aquired-10-5-3-barrel.html?highlight=3%2Abarrel In addition Smithnut has provided the link to his outstanding...

Don't know whether to call it a standard, tapered, contoured, slender or all-of-the-above barrel but here is a 3" on a 10-5 square butt that shipped in 1973 . . . note where it shipped in Roy's letter. Russ

The 3" heavy barrel square butt is a very desirable model 60 . . . I agree with Alan's value. Congratulations! For those who haven't seen one . . . here ya go Russ

As indicated, the 4th Edition of the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook provides load data for 100 gr cast bullets. My pet load for our 3" 30-1 & 31-1 using MBC's 100 gr coated RNFP bullet is 2.4 gr Win 231 which falls about half way between Lyman's starting load of 2.2 gr (635 fps) and their max load...

My s/n 456212 shipped in September 1966 so I would estimate your 491XXX would be late 1966 or possibly early 1967. Russ

Below are comparison pictures of a fitz marked checkered pair (on the left) and the newly acquired un-marked smooth pair (on the right). There are many similarities in these two thumb-rest target grips but there are also some very distinctive differences between the two pairs. In addition to...

Most of us recognize the post-war Fitz grips made of Duramite (a nylon blend that looks like plastic) with the fitz logo but several wood examples have also turned up marked “Fitz” in either block letters or script. However, founder Paul “Fitz” Jones has told us that his company’s pre-war Fitz...

Your idea of using Kroil on a rag is a good first step . . . if that doesn't do the job, use lots of Kroil on 0000 bronze wool with a light touch. I would not recommend Brasso or any other abrasive metal polish unless you plan to polish the entire gun to a high luster finish. Good luck, Russ