Combat Masterpiece

[LCR]

Wanted to share another 5-screw I picked up the other day. I think I have been bitten by some kind of bug. All numbers match except the stocks. Serial # K 248454 puts it about 1955, maybe.
No box, but couldn't pass on this one. Any other comments welcome, I am here to learn. This is a great forum. Thanks.

LCR

 

[bmcgilvray]

Every pistolero on earth needs a Combat Masterpiece whether they know it or not. Even the ones whose minds are clouded by all things plastic pistolas.

Great looking revolver! Thanks for posting it.

 

[StrawHat]

I, a totally committed fan of the S&W ACP revolver, still have my Model 15-3 I got 4 decades ago when I wore a tin badge for a living. Back then it rode on my belt and also was used in PPC competition. It still can place them all in the 10 ring, sometimes all in the X ring.

Great revolvers.

Kevin

 

[TJm15.38]

Yep; the Model 15 is pretty sweet! Nice one!

 

[Targets Guy]

Probably shipped in 1956. But may have shipped in 1955. K248929, a .38 Combat Masterpiece, shipped 2/1956 and K249120, also a .38 Combat Masterpiece, shipped 1/1956.


I own one fairly close to yours, s/n K234207. It shipped 7/1955.

 

[JP@AK]

K248929, a .38 Combat Masterpiece, shipped 2/1956 and K249120, also a .38 Combat Masterpiece, shipped 1/1956.
I own one fairly close to yours, s/n K234207. It shipped 7/1955.

Bracketing those are:

K-38 Masterpiece K232960 – shipped June, 1955;
K-32 Masterpiece K233560 – shipped December, 1955.

and then, K-22 Masterpiece K258577 shipped May, 1956.

 

[Inland7-45]

In praise of the Combat Masterpiece

Wanted to share another 5-screw I picked up the other day. I think I have been bitten by some kind of bug. All numbers match except the stocks. Serial # K 248454 puts it about 1955, maybe.
No box, but couldn't pass on this one. Any other comments welcome, I am here to learn. This is a great forum. Thanks.

LCR

My first Combat Masterpiece is a Model 18-3 which I recieved as a Christmas gift in 1972. After countless rounds fired and a factory refinish I still have this gun. I mastered DA shooting techniques with this gun. In my opinion the K Frame guns from this era are still viable even in the age of striker fired polymer frame 9mms. My other Combat Masterpiece is a Model 67 no dash from the first or second year of production. I have owned this one since 2006. A former police officer sold it back to the store he bought it from when he became an auxiliary officer. I still have the box and papers and it came with a nice set of checkered rosewood target stocks. Unfortunately the original magnas were lost along the way. As soon as I picked the gun up
I made arrangements to have an action job and CT trigger installed by the factory. The DA pull is the best I have ever seen.

While I really wanted a model 15 or early - mid 50’s pre model number the stainless version feels and handles the same and I don’t have to worry about holster wear.

Whether .22 or .38, blue or stainless, model number or pre model. The Combat Masterpiece is in my opinion in the top 5 greatest S&W revolvers.

Yours is a really nice example. Thanks for sharing.

 

[CHARLIE699]

Congrats on your Combat Masterpiece. I had a five-screw some years ago but it went in a trade.
I recently added this minty 15-2 though. Serial puts it around 1965.

It has found a good home with my M67's (no-dash & -1) and Pre-18 Masterpiece

 

[Aircrewman]

One of Smith and Wesson's finest revolvers. Period. My issued revolver when I hired on with L.A.S.O. Wish I was able to take it with me when I left the department. I buy them when I see them. Fabulous revolvers.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

From 1953, best I recall. Love it. Would love to have a pre model number .22 to go with it, on my list.

 

[MajorD]

Funny question to hi jack a bit- my combat masterpiece is a 4 screw, but is not model marked? I would have thought by the time the 4 screw frame ( deleting the side plate screw nearest the rear sight) was running, model numbers would have been present

 

[OLDSTER]

Arguably Smith and Wesson's best effort.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Funny question to hi jack a bit- my combat masterpiece is a 4 screw, but is not model marked? I would have thought by the time the 4 screw frame ( deleting the side plate screw nearest the rear sight) was running, model numbers would have been present

Well, S&W ordered the upper side plate screw be deleted on K frames in 1955 but they didn't really start stamping model numbers until 1958. So, your CM probably was made during that interlude.

 

[dobegrant]

congratulations that is very nice.

 

[bgrafsr]

I have a Combat Masterpiece also. All matching.

Also have this USAF Model 15.