Help on Model 14 K-38

[MAUSER888]

Am I correct in assuming this is a Model 14( K-38 Combat Masterpiece)?

If so can someone tell me when it was made?

Serial on butt plate is K 321291 but when you flip down the cylinder there is the number 44965 with a K on the frame.

Is $600.00 a fair price? Finish rates about 99% with just a pinch of holster wear on the left side of the muzzle.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Well......

Am I correct in assuming this is a Model 14( K-38 Combat Masterpiece)?

If so can someone tell me when it was made?

Serial on butt plate is K 321291 but when you flip down the cylinder there is the number 44965 with a K on the frame.

Is $600.00 a fair price? Finish rates about 99% with just a pinch of holster wear on the left side of the muzzle.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

It would be a "pre" model 14 but barely, the serial number puts it @ 1958, the transition to marking the model numbers was in the works, nice gun and my birth year!

 

[ken158]

The butt number is the serial number and other numbers mean nothing to the end user. Yes it is a pre model 14 and certainly worth $600 in that condition. Made in 1958.

 

[MAUSER888]

It would be a "pre" model 14 but barely, the serial number puts it @ 1958, the transition to marking the model numbers was in the works, nice gun and my birth year!

Many thanks Gents!!

 

[Mbrgr1]

Is the serial number on the barrel flat (underneath)?


The transition to the frames marked "MOD 14" on the yoke cutout began in 1957 and the serialized barrels etc faded away, but they didn't throw anything away, just curious.

 

[MAUSER888]

Is the serial number on the barrel flat (underneath)?


The transition to the frames marked "MOD 14" on the yoke cutout began in 1957 and the serialized barrels etc faded away, but they didn't throw anything away, just curious.

No Sir. It is blank.

 

[murphydog]

It is a K-38 Masterpiece with the extra name of model 14. The .38 Combat Masterpiece was the 4" tapered barrel model of the adjustable sight K frame .38 Special.

 

[MAUSER888]

It is a K-38 Masterpiece with the extra name of model 14. The .38 Combat Masterpiece was the 4" tapered barrel model of the adjustable sight K frame .38 Special.

Interesting! Thanks for the info as it is much appreciated Sir!

 

[JP@AK]

It is a K-38 Masterpiece with the extra name of model 14.

Unless it has MOD 14 stamped on the frame in the yoke cut, it is not a Model 14. It is simply a K-38 Masterpiece.

K321291 is right on the cusp of model numbers appearing on this model. But they were not model marked in serial order. I suspect this one is very near the highest serial number on a K-38 that did not yet have the model number. It almost certainly shipped in 1958.

The transition to the frames marked "MOD 14" on the yoke cutout began in 1957

Not so. No model marked guns shipped in 1957 and there were tons of units shipped in 1958 that were not model marked.

The lowest serial numbered Model 14 we have ever found was a special order that shipped in July, 1958.

The management decision to use model numbers was issued in June, 1957. But it was quite a while before it was implemented. The lowest serial numbered Model 36, for example, didn't ship until September, 1958. The lowest Model 17, for another example, didn't ship until November, 1958. That one bore serial number K326533.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Unless it has MOD 14 stamped on the frame in the yoke cut, it is not a Model 14. It is simply a K-38 Masterpiece.

K321291 is right on the cusp of model numbers appearing on this model. But they were not model marked in serial order. I suspect this one is very near the highest serial number on a K-38 that did not yet have the model number. It almost certainly shipped in 1958.


Not so. No model marked guns shipped in 1957 and there were tons of units shipped in 1958 that were not model marked.

The lowest serial numbered Model 14 we have ever found was a special order that shipped in July, 1958.

The management decision to use model numbers was issued in June, 1957. But it was quite a while before it was implemented. The lowest serial numbered Model 36, for example, didn't ship until September, 1958. The lowest Model 17, for another example, didn't ship until November, 1958. That one bore serial number K326533.

Sorry, yes, I should have said " the decision to" in 1957...

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

$600 is a price I haven't seen lately for a 99% K-38 Masterpiece like that one. Ejector rod shows little use. Great price.

 

[Hawg Rider]

$600 is a price I haven't seen lately for a 99% K-38 Masterpiece like that one. Ejector rod shows little use. Great price.

Agreed! Very nice K-38, and that's a very good price. I was at a local gun show yesterday and only saw a couple of nice K-38s and Model 14s. The dealers wanted $1K or more for those revolvers. It wasn't too long ago that $600 would be a little pricey for a K-38, but times certainly change! If you haven't bought it yet, go get it!