.38 Special
- Thread starter Jeff SS
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It is a K-38 Masterpiece ("Target" was never part of its name). At that serial number, it is from 1950.
I have no idea why that hole was drilled.
It is a K-38 Masterpiece ("Target" was never part of its name). At that serial number, it is from 1950.
I have no idea why that hole was drilled.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I also have no idea what the purpose was for the hole.
I just like to echo expert opinion sometimes so I know I won't be wrong.
PS: "Registered Magnum" was never an official S&W name either, yet that's what everybody calls them.
Just don't say "pencil barrel." That is not allowed.
I just like to echo expert opinion sometimes so I know I won't be wrong.
PS: "Registered Magnum" was never an official S&W name either, yet that's what everybody calls them.
Just don't say "pencil barrel." That is not allowed.
The hole is pretty much round , with the edges voided as though it was drilled from the inside out. Does it go all the way through?
However it got there , it is there now. If the grips are original to the gun I'd repair them. Pretty easy diy project to just get it filled and faired , might want to start with a wooden plug. If it were mine I would not want to leave it as is ... but your gun / your call.
Welcome aboard , fine revolver. Truly fine.
However it got there , it is there now. If the grips are original to the gun I'd repair them. Pretty easy diy project to just get it filled and faired , might want to start with a wooden plug. If it were mine I would not want to leave it as is ... but your gun / your call.
Welcome aboard , fine revolver. Truly fine.
nbedford
Member
A Bubbafly maybe.
Thanks for the info!
I did remove the grips, and no the hole was obviously drilled from the outside in as it doesn't go completely through.
I believe I will try and repair it. Of course after I do some research on doing so!
Thank you!
4barrel
Member
Not a lot of guns have a <full house> serial #. My 5 screw 38 has four 7s.
I would determine how deep the hole is first. If necessary, use a small dowel to partially plug it. To finish the repair, you would need a sawdust/glue paste. I have had good luck using sawdust from the original wood. To get this sawdust, you would have to remove some wood from the inside of the grips. Don't touch the stamped serial number.
OR, contact one of the craftsmen here on the forum to repair the grips for you.
jjmIII_Ruger
Member
That's where you put your cigarette back in the day when you took a shot!
(I made that up)
(I made that up)
I was thinking it was for a wire stock setup...lol
gwpercle
Member
First S&W I've ever seen with Termite Damage !
Still ...Very Awesome !!!
Hole can be easily repaired.
Gary
Still ...Very Awesome !!!
Hole can be easily repaired.
Gary
Welcome to the Forum. When repairing wood, you must follow the grain in order to perform a decent repair. Wood dowels and end grain wood plugs will not finish correctly and will leave a very dark circle when finished. I would first take the next bigger drill bit and carefully drill the hole larger. That will take care of the discolored outer edges and remove any oil, dirt, or finish that got into the hole over its life.
Whittle a piece of walnut so that when inserted, the grain will flow in the same direction as the stock grain, that would usually be so that the grain runs vertical. Carefully sand and shape the area. Add a bit of wood glue to the surface before the final sanding and sand the area while the glue is wet, forcing the fine wood sanding particles into the glue until the area is filled and smooth. After the glue is dry, use paint thinner to wipe down the area to check for a color match before finishing and stain only if necessary. Apply very thin coats of Tru-Oil to the repaired area and add multiple coats until the grain is filled to match the rest of the stocks. Use 0000 steel wool to knock down the gloss until it matches the finish on the rest of the stock and you are all set.
You have a nice K-38 Masterpiece revolver and worth the extra time to fix the drill hole.
Whittle a piece of walnut so that when inserted, the grain will flow in the same direction as the stock grain, that would usually be so that the grain runs vertical. Carefully sand and shape the area. Add a bit of wood glue to the surface before the final sanding and sand the area while the glue is wet, forcing the fine wood sanding particles into the glue until the area is filled and smooth. After the glue is dry, use paint thinner to wipe down the area to check for a color match before finishing and stain only if necessary. Apply very thin coats of Tru-Oil to the repaired area and add multiple coats until the grain is filled to match the rest of the stocks. Use 0000 steel wool to knock down the gloss until it matches the finish on the rest of the stock and you are all set.
You have a nice K-38 Masterpiece revolver and worth the extra time to fix the drill hole.
Why not just leave it alone. Its kind of interesting. Its a harmless modification and offers people the opportunity to just ponder why someone did it. Hearing all the off the wall ideas would be more fun to hear, then explain why that plug is there.
You can also buy side-grain plugs at good woodworking stores.
Mike Priwer
Mike Priwer
Pull the left grip panel again and look for a dirt-dauber nest...
...Ben
...Ben
Could be a Mason Bee. Any orchards where you live?
De Oppresso Liber
De Oppresso Liber
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