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[kraftwerkbeard]

Hello all. First post here in the forums. I just joined today. I am a long time gun enthusiast, but never added a Smith and Wesson revolver to my collection. I recently inherited 2. I'll be following up with a post for the second, a model 19-4, once it's clean enough I am not embarassed to show it.

Pictured is a 38 Special with no model number, 5 screws, adjustable sights, and a 6" barrel.
Serial #: K 81140

My research here on the forums tells me that this means it was probably born sometime in 1950. Am I close? Anything else interesting about this particular model or year?

My father in-law shot it up until he passed, so I have had it to the range, and it shoots well. Decent groups at 25 yards and punching the center out at 15. Anecdotally, somebody messed with the trigger. It is the lightest trigger pull now in my collection. I am no trigger expert, but feels materially lighter than the ~3.0lb on my 1911.

Also pictured are a couple of attachments that were on the gun. The "sure grip" seems a bit gimmicky, but the trigger "extender?" seems quite well machined and of good quality. The gun was pretty comfortable to shoot with those on there, but I am taking the next trip to the range without them.

Thanks for looking. This seems to be a cool community. I am looking forward to participating. Somehow I have this urge to own more of these now...

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Peanut Capital of the World! You have the premier .38 target revolver in the world: the K-38 Masterpiece. It likely shipped in April or May 1950. The accessories you mention are a "grip adapter" and a "trigger shoe." These are designed to improve the ergonomics of the hand-gun interface. In 1957 when S&W implemented model numbers, this became the Model 14.

 

[JP@AK]

As Guy stated, it is a K-38 Masterpiece, actually a K-38 Heavy Masterpiece. The Heavy version was introduced in February 1949. Yours probably shipped in the first quarter of 1950, but it is possible that it left the factory as early as late 1949. A letter would tell you for sure and this gun is worthy of a Letter of Authenticity, in my opinion.

Your example appears to be in top condition, and the Magna stocks are probably original. If you remove them, you should see the gun's serial number stamped on the inside of the right panel, minus the K.

The Mershon grip adapter is period correct. The Glendale address is not the earliest, but it is early enough to have been sold in 1950.

There are different opinions on the use of the trigger shoe. Some suggest they are not a good idea for a revolver carried regularly in a holster. But a lot of target shooters liked them back in the day before the wide trigger was available for shipment as factory original equipment.

I agree with Guy when he says the K-38 is "the premier .38 target revolver in the world." I own a bunch of them, and they are among my favorite S&W revolvers. You inherited a wonderful handgun from your father-in-law. Congratulations!

 

[Truckman]

Welcome to our addiction, you picked the right place to start...Guy and Jack above gave you the correct information...The Mershon grip adapter later changed corporate ownership to Pachmayr I think, and has some collectability on its own...The trigger shoe has its fans as well as its naysayers, but I like them on the two guns I have which came with them when I adopted them...We'll look forward to seeing your Model 19-4 also...

The LOA Jack suggested can be ordered from the S&W Historical Foundation...You may want to join the S&WHF as a member, as well as the S&W Collectors Association...Membership will lower the cost of any letters you may want for your future collection (yes, this is nowhere near the end of your collecting)......Ben

 

[Alk8944]

Enlarging on what Jack, JP@AK, said. The grip adapter from Mershon is period. There have been three iterations of this company. Mershon, Fray-Mershon, and finally Pachmayr. At one time S&W subcontracted to have these manufactured marked Smith and Wesson. The trigger shoe is a Flaig "Ace". Both of these were very popular and widely used by target shooters and shooters in general for giving improved configuration to he revolvers grip. and a perceived reduction in trigger pull die to the broader surface of the trigger. I still own several of each item, as well similar items from other makers.

Grip adapters are still highly sought after, nut the trigger shoes not so much.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! You inherited a very nice K-38 Masterpiece that appears to be in great condition. Trigger shoes are fine for some shooters, but obviously they are removable if you don't like them. Same with the grip adapter. Those work very well with the smaller magna stocks for folks with big mitts. It also looks like there is a gold bead in the Patridge front sight blade...I'm not sure if that's a S&W option or installed later. Your K-38 should be an excellent and accurate shooter. Enjoy!