Happy 60th birthday to my K-38 shipped on December 9, 1949, to Bacharach Rasin Co in Baltimore. The S/N, K79676, is stamped on the barrel flat, on the bottom of the frame, the extractor, and on cylinder face. It has been modified since it left the factory, as it now has a red-ramp front sight (base pinned to barrel rib with two pins through the rib), white-outline rear sight, target hammer, target trigger, and smooth target stocks with S&W medallions and a football cutout for cartridge case head relief. There are no stampings of any kind (except for the serial number) on the frame under the stocks. The factory letter says it "was manufactured before all the target accessories were available." The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition, page 144 shows a similar 5-Screw K-38 Masterpiece with a red-ramp front sight, target trigger, and target stocks. K79676 is in excellent condition with slight muzzle wear and typical cylinder stop drag marks. Can anyone help identify the wood used in these stocks?
