!952 K frame 38spl

[Frameman]

Good morning all.
Last week a very old and good friend of mine stopped by with a S&W 38 Special CTG. Serial # K 156548. It has a square butt,wooden hangrips plus a set of plastic bone grips, Target style hammer .500, 4" pinned barrel, 5 screw frame. From my research I have concluded that this firearm was born in 1952. Numbers on the frame under the Cylinder have a large # 9 followed by a series of smaller numbers under it, 25946 I think. He has a Duty Safe clamshell style holster that has as much character has my friends face. Both of these items have traveled all over the world with him, while he was in the militaryand, all are in very good condition both from an esthetics and firing condition. Sorry no Pics at this time.
Anyone have any idea of ballpark value?
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"The definition of insanity, is to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome"

 

[murphydog]

Hi, and welcome! Your friend has a .38 Combat Masterpiece, later called the model 15. The numbers not associated with the K are assembly codes within the factory. Condition is the most important factor in price, but figure about $300 in worn but shootable condition all the way up to about $600 if as-new.

 

[Frameman]

38 combat masterpiece

Have you seen this type of police holster before?
Safety Speed clamsheel holster

 

[murphydog]

Not specifically this model, but I recall reading they were popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

 

[Frameman]

1952 K frame

Is my serial # date correct?

 

[nutsforsmiths]

That number sounds about right for the date you mentioned. I have a 38 Combat Masterpiece and the number is K974xx and it shipped in December of 1950.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Safety Speed was a southern California holster company, and made many unique designs. Among these was the "clamshell" style holster which sprung open when a button inside the trigger guard area was depressed.
These holster are somewhat collectible, I have about a dozen of them in different sizes.

6-inch K-38 in Safety Speed rig:

 

[Art Doc]

Watch reruns of "Adam 12" to see the clamshell holster at work.

 

[Jimmymac46]

Being somewhat of an old timer, and having spent 36 years on Southern California agencies, I am very familiar with the 'clam shell'. They were worn many different LE sworn back in the day........ Police, Sheriff, CHP alike. I did not every own or use one when in patrol, choosing instead the Jordan style high rise. They seemed a little bulky and cumbersome to me. The idea behind the design was twofold. When the gun was placed in the holster and shell closed on it, the only way it could be removed was by pressing a 'button' inside the holster located in the trigger area hence the 'safety' factor. The second benefit was 'speed', in that to draw the gun, one need only press and it would spring open allowing the user to just pull it away with no need to lift it out as with conventionally holsters. I preferred my handgun up high and out of the way primarily when entering and exiting the vehicle and during physical altercations. Also, it was a mechanical device and as such, subject to failure.....which some did.

They were very unique, liked and carried by many who swore by them. It was a different time then and many agencies allowed their LE to wear and carry their choice of weapon and leather. However, in 1977 most California agencies became required by law to provide guns and leather to all their sworn personnel. That lead to the demise of many a fine holster and related equipment, in that uniformity and cost became the order of the day.

 

[Frameman]

Safety spped holsters

Thanks, to all who replied to this thread. The info provided, allowed me to pass this wealth of information along to my old friend and he had some fond memories to hash over. Thanks again.

 

[keithpip]

K Frame .38 Special

It's people like Jimmymac46 that really add to this forum. Retired LEO's have a wealth of information from their LE experiences. My dad is a retired LEO. He's 81, looks 71 and was sworn in March 1950. Occasionally he gets asked to identify people from old photographs, or to shed light on some historical facet of police work from his time on the force. Since I didn't follow him in his line of work we have some interesting conversations. I ask the questions and he provides the answers. Thanks again Jimmy!

Keith

 

[Iggy]

The old clam shells were kind of neat until you had to re-holster under "exciting" circumstances.

Two hands worked better than one and sometimes you didn't have a spare hand available.

I never used one, but knew a couple of guys that tried them for a short time and moved on.

 

[Jimmymac46]

It's people like Jimmymac46 that really add to this forum. Retired LEO's have a wealth of information from their LE experiences. My dad is a retired LEO. He's 81, looks 71 and was sworn in March 1950. Occasionally he gets asked to identify people from old photographs, or to shed light on some historical facet of police work from his time on the force. Since I didn't follow him in his line of work we have some interesting conversations. I ask the questions and he provides the answers. Thanks again Jimmy!

Keith

Thanks for the comments. This forum is full of ex, retired, short term, and other catagories of LEO's. We do indeed have experiences that are unique to others here and we are willing to sharing them with those who may have an interested. What I truly enjoy about THIS forum is that not only am I able to express my views and experiences, but I am able to learn while doing so. I am of the philosophy that it is essential that you learn something new EVERY day......if you aren't learning, then you are not paying attention! The added benefit with this particular forum is here we are all somewhat on the same page.....freedom first, government second!

 

[509thsfs]

Frameman, I picked up a M15 last Saturday at a show. It's also a 1952 5 screw (K137XXX). Been wanting to get one because it's what I carried when I 1st went into the USAF and what the wife carried for her 4 years that she was in (Both were Security Policemen). Wish I hadn't tossed my old holster a few years ago. I still have all the other leather gear for it though and am in the process of finding another old AF Duty holster for it. Don't think tmy old belt will still fit though haha.