1958 ??

[krsmith58]

well forum members , i think i have found my birth year model 14. i would like to have that confirmed by the experts . i have been a member a little over a year and have learned a lot .i know the grips aren't correct and will look for period correct. thanks everyone . kenny

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. That one likely shipped in 1958. It is a fairly early model marked K-38 Masterpiece. The earliest model marked K target revolver I've found so far had serial number K316819 and was a Model 19, shipped in 1958. The earliest K-22 marked as Model 17 was in the K326xxx range, and it shipped in November, 1958. K327xxx was also a Model 17 and it shipped in June, 1958. (Note how out of order these are.)

Of course, only a letter can tell you for certain when your revolver left the factory. But you are on solid ground in suspecting it was a 1958 shipment.

Nice looking K-38. As you assumed, the stocks are from 1978 or later.

 

[krsmith58]

Yes. That one likely shipped in 1958. It is a fairly early model marked K-38 Masterpiece. The earliest model marked K target revolver I've found so far had serial number K316819 and was a Model 19, shipped in 1958. The earliest K-22 marked as Model 17 was in the K326xxx range, and it shipped in November, 1958. K327xxx was also a Model 17 and it shipped in June, 1958. (Note how out of order these are.)

Of course, only a letter can tell you for certain when your revolver left the factory. But you are on solid ground in suspecting it was a 1958 shipment.

Nice looking K-38. As you assumed, the stocks are from 1978 or later.

Jack , like i said i'm new at this and have never had a revolver lettered . this one may change that . thanks for the reply . if i do get a letter i'll share it with the forum . thanks again . kenny

 

[DWalt]

K336128 shipped on 1/2/59. Yours could have shipped several months before or after that, but certainly it was assembled in 1958. You will have to get a letter ($100) if it's worth that much to you to find out the exact shipping date.

 

[Patrick L]

Sweet! I would love a 1966 gun, either a K38 or a Model 27.

 

[krsmith58]

LETTER

K336128 shipped on 1/2/59. Yours could have shipped several months before or after that, but certainly it was assembled in 1958. You will have to get a letter ($100) if it's worth that much to you to find out the exact shipping date.

DWalt , i don't think i'm going to be able to resist a factory letter on this one . i have a nice pair of jigged bone stocks for it to wear while i look for some period correct magnas .i am at work and watching USPS tracking , it should arrive at my FFL today . don't know if i will go by after work or wait until Thursday when i have a day off.it's a little out of the way but not much . thanks for the replies . kenny

 

[c4racer]

I'd like to find a birth year gun but I don't think S&W made any revolvers in 1944. Guess I'd have to settle for a 1911.

 

[JP@AK]

I'd like to find a birth year gun but I don't think S&W made any revolvers in 1944.

Actually, they made about a quarter of a million Victory Model revolvers that year. A large percentage of them were .38/200s for the British. The rest were .38 Special 4" guns for the Navy and other U.S. military branches as well as the DSC.

 

[KEN L]

well forum members , i think i have found my birth year model 14. i would like to have that confirmed by the experts . i have been a member a little over a year and have learned a lot .i know the grips aren't correct and will look for period correct. thanks everyone . kenny

Probably shipped Dec 1958, but could've shipped a month later. You'll have to let us know what you find out.

 

[Ray]

To add to the discussion my S&W 17 no dash #3318XX left the factory as per Mr. Jinks letter on October 7, 1958 to be delivered to Stoerger´s Arms NYC - NY.
Regards, Ray

 

[D Brown]

That's my birth year as well.

Congratulations on the beautiful acquisition!

 

[Pantherclass2004]

My birth year too. Congrats on a great find.