Identification and Descriptions

[brendenlow]

I am looking to sell three revolvers that I'm no longer using and in doing my diligence noted that those that have the most successful sales/ auctions are identified correctly and thoroughly as well as priced appropriately.

This is where I come to the forum hat in hand for some assistance. I don't want to inadvertently describe any of the guns incorrectly based on my understanding. Any insight into a range of prices to start for each as well as the lot is also appreciated.

Any descriptions below were received years ago and could be wrong so feel free to correct me.

S&W K-38 Combat Masterpiece
Model 15-3
K Frame w/ 4" Barrel
Original wooden stocks with matching series numbers
Serial K914824- Estimated Mgf Date 1969
Comes with original box, paperwork and tool kit
Good condition with some wear on the bluing and a chip on the wood stock.

S&W K-22 Combat Masterpiece
K Frame w/ 6" Barrel
Original wooden stocks with matching series numbers
Serial 270402- Estimated Mgf Date 1956
Good condition with some wear on the bluing

S&W 15-2 (Not sure if considered a Combat Masterpiece)
K Frame w/ 2" Barrel
Replacement wooden stocks
Serial K798377- Estimated Mgf Date 1968
Good condition with some wear on the bluing

I am going to take more and better pictures this week, but any other general advice on how to best list or get the best return on these?

 

[ken158]

You have some nice guns but nothing rare. Good that you have the boxes. You are fair in your descriptions noting the blue wear. Your best bet on selling is taking them to gunbroker with a low starting bid and no reserve. The bidders will dictate the value. I might go 10 days or 2 weeks, whatever they have that allows 2 weekends where more prospective buyers will have the time to preview auctions. Be cautious of high appraisals from those that aren't buyers...

 

[nedlate]

Is it possible you have the stocks mixed up-note the 4" gun that was dated 1969 has the diamond around the screw hole and the gun you noted as a 1956 manufacture has much newer grips and should have had the diamond grips if indeed that date. Also if the 2nd picture is a K22 with a 6" barrel it is a K22 Masterpiece, not Combat Masterpiece which would be a 4" barrel. Pictures of the other side of the gun plus the information end of the box would be helpful.

Very nice guns and desirable with the original boxes.
Ed

 

[brendenlow]

Is it possible you have the stocks mixed up-note the 4" gun that was dated 1969 has the diamond around the screw hole and the gun you noted as a 1956 manufacture has much newer grips and should have had the diamond grips if indeed that date. Also if the 2nd picture is a K22 with a 6" barrel it is a K22 Masterpiece, not Combat Masterpiece which would be a 4" barrel. Pictures of the other side of the gun plus the information end of the box would be helpful.

Very nice guns and desirable with the original boxes.
Ed

Thanks. Yeah I checked the stocked and the 4" has matching serial numbers stamped. The 2" are replacement for sure.

As for the boxes unfortunately I only have the box for the 4" and just took some quick snaps of the others with the box still in the frame.

I'll get some Moreno pics up this week.

 

[shouldazagged]

I think you would get very fair prices for those nice guns on the For Sale listings here on the forum, though more detailed pictures would help a lot.

 

[linde]

. . . Any descriptions below were received years ago and could be wrong so feel free to correct me.

S&W K-22 Combat Masterpiece
K Frame w/ 6" Barrel
Original wooden stocks with matching series numbers
Serial 270402- Estimated Mgf Date 1956
Good condition with some wear on the bluing

S&W 15-2 (Not sure if considered a Combat Masterpiece)
K Frame w/ 2" Barrel
Replacement wooden stocks
Serial K798377- Estimated Mgf Date 1968
Good condition with some wear on the bluing

Your K-22 should have a letter K serial number prefix and, as already pointed out it is a K-22 Masterpiece (not Combat) and does not have period-correct stocks.

Your Model 15-2 is correctly named a Combat Masterpiece.

All three very nice, desirable guns . . . good luck,

Russ

 

[JP@AK]

I will be repeating some matters already covered, but I'll try to be complete here. Russ already gave you good info.

S&W K-38 Combat Masterpiece
Model 15-3
K Frame w/ 4" Barrel
Original wooden stocks with matching series numbers
Serial K914824- Estimated Mgf Date 1969

Yes. Definitely a .38 Combat Masterpiece from 1969. That would be very late to have the diamond. Possible, but unlikely. I tend to agree with nedlate; you seem to have switched them around with the K-22.

S&W K-22 Combat Masterpiece
K Frame w/ 6" Barrel
Original wooden stocks with matching series numbers
Serial 270402- Estimated Mgf Date 1956

This is a K-22 Masterpiece, not a Combat Masterpiece. The serial number would be K270402, which does track to 1956. However, it is impossible for those stocks to be original and factory-numbered to the gun. The diamond was in use until sometime in 1967, with some guns shipping that way into 1968. But certainly non-diamond stocks are not from 1956.

S&W 15-2 (Not sure if considered a Combat Masterpiece)
K Frame w/ 2" Barrel
Replacement wooden stocks
Serial K798377- Estimated Mfg Date 1968

Yes, it is a Combat Masterpiece from 1968. The GA target stocks are not original, as you suspected. Since they have the diamond, they most likely come from a gun made before 1968. There is a good chance they originally shipped on a Model 19. The Combat Masterpiece Model 15-2 with the 2" barrel would have shipped in 1968 with PC Magna stocks (rounded bottoms) with no diamond at the screw location.

Added: K798377 is a late serial number for a Model 15-2. The -3 came out in 1967. We've seen late examples before, but they are fairly unusual. I'm not doubting this is a -2, but it is a late one.

 

[brendenlow]

All great advice. I will pull the stocks off tomorrow and get a bearing on them.

Depending on what I find is there any value to purchasing period correct stocks before sale to have the gun fully "correct" or is that not worth the hassle or money?

Will report back what I find on the stocks. Thanks guys

 

[brendenlow]

Mystery solved on the stocks.I had one diamond on each which is why my serial numbers were matching, but seemed incorrect. I have matched them back now for consistency. Even the screws were slightly different between the two which didn't allow for a tight fit when used on the wrong one.

As for the 15-2 Combat Masterpiece and the late model year, I have attached the pics for confirmation. Any chance the yoke was replaced at some point or is this just likely a last batch?

Is there any value in sourcing the period correct stocks for this one or would I not get back the value in sales price?

Finally, when referencing "pinned" and number of pins, is referencing the proper era of design needed or is that somewhat implied by the model number?

Thank you for all the help guys. I will likely do some research tonight on list prices and put them up here first before going to gun broker as I do not have a sellers account.

 

[Muley Gil]

In post # 9 above, there is a pin through the frame that secures the barrel. This means you have a "pinned" revolver.

 

[JP@AK]

As for the 15-2 Combat Masterpiece and the late model year, I have attached the pics for confirmation. Any chance the yoke was replaced at some point or is this just likely a last batch?

Highly unlikely. I suspect your gun has all its original parts.

There is evidence of some -2 revolvers being assembled and shipped with higher serial numbers than other guns that are -3. The only difference between the two is the location of the screw that attaches the rear sight to the frame. If that hole was directly above the barrel/cylinder gap, the gun was assembled as a 15-2.

There should be a number stamped on the yoke itself (likely 5 digits). If that matches the one on the left side of the grip frame (under the stocks), the yoke is original.