1951 K38 Masterpiece by shear luck

[eddiewhiteshoes]

So a couple weeks ago, I'm going over my daily saved auction searches, one of which is Model 10's. Listing says 1964 Model 10-6 Target 38 special. Hmmm, there is no such animal so I look at the pictures. Looks like a very nice K38 in the Gold box to me. I was able to manipulate one of the pictures just enough to barely make out the serial number. Standard Catalog says dead on 1951 model year. What the hell, lets roll the dice. If it really is a worn out model 10, I can bitch that the ad was wrong and return it maybe. Starting bid with no reserve was on the high end for a Model 10. Since most people don't really follow model 10's, I was first and last bidder. I said to myself, ok, I'm either going to receive a 10-6 I have never seen, or I'm going to get a K38. So I'm sweating it out for a week to get here. I get the call from my LGS that they have a package in for me. When I get there, I tell my FFL, this is either going to be very good or very bad. He pulls out the gold box. So far so good. Open the box and praise Jesus, its a beautiful K38. One of the counter guys yell's over to me, "What you got there?" I said it's supposed to be a 10-6. He says, "Not with a micrometer sight on it, it's not." So all the guys come over and we have a good laugh at my good fortune. She appears barely shot, number matching grips and box. Just a hint of muzzle edge wear from sliding around in the box. Needless to say I'm a happy camper.

 

[19leben]

Nice Masterpiece. I don't know what you paid for it, but if it was in the realm of a 10-6, I'd say you did well. Congrats on the new gun!

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[H Richard]

Did you go out and buy a lottery ticket also? You lucked out and got a good one.

 

[lrrifleman]

Congratulations on a beautiful Masterpiece!

 

[federali]

Real Nice!

Back in 1966, when I first started with Treasury, the Combat Masterpiece was spoken of with nearly hushed tones. It was the quality standard. I owned a nickel K-38 but sold it before I knew any better and when I tended to make wrong decisions emanating from the wrong end of my anatomy.

Congrats on a great acquisition.

 

[usm1rifle]

Very nice! Me likey...

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the purchase as I have one from 1952 and it's an awesome revolver.

 

[crsides]

nice model 10. Maybe the nicest one model 10 I've ever seen.


Charlie

 

[cbjordan76]

Great score!! Congrats.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Ah, ha, so it was you.

I, too, watch Model 10s, but I'm really looking for post-war, very "Pre" Model 10s. I saw that one "10-6" and never gave it another thought.

Congratulations. What's that bit about a blind squirrel and the nut? Nice nut to cull out of all that fodder.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Engine49guy]

Your revolver is actually known as a K-38 "Heavy" Masterpiece.
First appeared in the 1950 AMC and sold alongside the narrow rib K-38 Masterpiece so the "Heavy" Moniker was applied to distinguish between the two .

Around 1954 the satin blue changes to bright blue , by 1955 the narrow rib version is discontinued and the "Heavy" Masterpiece name goes back to K-38 Masterpiece.

On a side note the wider K-38 barrel rib added weight to make the K-38, K-32 and K-22 Masterpiece revolvers more closely weight matched.

 

[eddiewhiteshoes]

Thanks guy's. Yeah, I guess the sun does shine on the sleeping dog's behind every once in a while. Funny thing is the seller was an FFL. There was an additional uproar of laughter when the guys heard it came from Cailfornia. Seriously, I'm not gloating but it sure is nice to snag one from an online auction. Thats getting few and far between.

Bob. I've watched every pre-model 10 variant and up to the 10-8 online, for the last 4 years. They are still pretty much under the radar of collectors and thats what I like. Pristine examples are quickly disappearing while they used to be everywhere. Yes, it takes some time to sift through them all but I've managed to collect some "as new" in the box, tools and papers at prices I see guys pay for worn out Police trade ins. Go figure.

 

[eddiewhiteshoes]

Thanks engine49. In the hand, I'm liking this wide rib barrel. She's already a little dirty and dry from sitting in the box so long, so out to the cabin she goes this weekend for a little exercise.

 

[alwaysoutdoors]

Smith & Wesson 10-6 Heavy Barrel target 38 Spec : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[Engine49guy]

Side by side comparison of the narrow and wide rib barrel profiles




If you look close you will notice the frames are different as well with the narrow rib version having notches where the barrel meets the frame

 

[OLDSTER]

Rare Model 10

Wow ! You've landed the rarest Model 10 I've ever seen

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Thanks guy's. Yeah, I guess the sun does shine on the sleeping dog's behind every once in a while. Funny thing is the seller was an FFL. There was an additional uproar of laughter when the guys heard it came from Cailfornia. Seriously, I'm not gloating but it sure is nice to snag one from an online auction. Thats getting few and far between.

Bob. I've watched every pre-model 10 variant and up to the 10-8 online, for the last 4 years. They are still pretty much under the radar of collectors and thats what I like. Pristine examples are quickly disappearing while they used to be everywhere. Yes, it takes some time to sift through them all but I've managed to collect some "as new" in the box, tools and papers at prices I see guys pay for worn out Police trade ins. Go figure.

Yeah, it's crazy. I watch Models 30, 31, 36, 40, and 10 (especially their post-war relatives). Prices are all over the chart on most. Have to be a "shopper" to ferret out the wheat and skip the chaff.

Bob

ps: thanks for posting the two barrel profiles -- great visual aid, even for a guy who likes fixed sights.

 

[LEO918]

I have an early Combat Masterpiece that dates to 1950, bought at a gun show as an "old model 10".

 

[19leben]

I recently bought an Outdoorsman from a local shop, it was marked on the tag as an Officer's Model! I don't recall Smith & Wesson ever offering an Officer's Model.

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[Kinman]

Congrats on your good score, ever now and then it pays to take a little chance when your gut tells you.