Informal Pictorial Essay - K-38 Masterpiece (and Model 14) variations

[SmithNut]

Wow.....

HA Rob!

I finally have a Smith that you don't! Only took me 12 years to do it!

14-1 Pinto.





Drew

Drew,
Very interesting... does it letter?
Don't recall seeing any M14 Pintos, it almost looks like a nickel barrel and cylinder from a Combat Masterpiece on that M14-1 frame.
Do you have any history on the gun you can share?

Thanks for posting

 

[Sebago Son]

14-1 Pinto Info...

Drew,
Very interesting... does it letter?
Don't recall seeing any M14 Pintos, it almost looks like a nickel barrel and cylinder from a Combat Masterpiece on that M14-1 frame.
Do you have any history on the gun you can share?

Thanks for posting

No I really don't Rob. I have been remiss in lettering a bunch of guns.

I hadn't seen the Pinto for a while, so I went down and dug it out... here's a few more tidbits and some fresh snaps.



The gun has seen some holster time. It's serial is in the K413,000 range. The barrel is "N" marked, but not serialed to the frame. The cylinder is serial numbered and matches. It is also marked "L" between two of the charging holes and has the undercut on the ejector rod.



There are no rework / special finish codes under the stocks. The stocks themselves are rosewood smooth magnas with black washers. They really don't fit all that well. No serial numbers on the stocks.



The fella I bought it from had nothing to say about it's history. I do know that after I put the photos up the last time a well known "Pinto" collector chased me around for a while trying to buy this gun. He became quite ardent after I gave him the serial number. I didn't sell and he didn't tell me what he knew....



Drew

 

[SmithNut]

No I really don't Rob. I have been remiss in lettering a bunch of guns.

I hadn't seen the Pinto for a while, so I went down and dug it out... here's a few more tidbits and some fresh snaps.



The gun has seen some holster time. It's serial is in the K413,000 range. The barrel is "N" marked, but not serialed to the frame. The cylinder is serial numbered and matches. It is also marked "L" between two of the charging holes and has the undercut on the ejector rod.



There are no rework / special finish codes under the stocks. The stocks themselves are rosewood smooth magnas with black washers. They really don't fit all that well. No serial numbers on the stocks.



The fella I bought it from had nothing to say about it's history. I do know that after I put the photos up the last time a well known "Pinto" collector chased me around for a while trying to buy this gun. He became quite ardent after I gave him the serial number. I didn't sell and he didn't tell me what he knew....



Drew

Very cool Drew, thanks for the extra pics. Not only a -1, but a 4" M14, pretty special.
Pintos are in a class by themselves, I've only had one or two over the years and the first M14 for sure.
Love the grips as well, I have seen Combat Masterpiece pintos with the smooth magnas before, interesting.

 

[SmithNut]

Speaking of pinto models...

Drew,
As a follow up to my comment about seeing Combat Masterpiece pintos, I'll add these pics of Mike Priwer's fantastic, awesome, cool, desireable, much lusted after 3" gun... (do you think I like this gun?)
I had the privilege of taking some pics of this a few years back, I dream of this gun being added to my 3" K-frame collection.... someday....maybe..... hopefully.... (Mike, are you listening... )

 

[Sebago Son]

Very cool Drew, thanks for the extra pics. Not only a -1, but a 4" M14, pretty special.
Pintos are in a class by themselves, I've only had one or two over the years and the first M14 for sure.
Love the grips as well, I have seen Combat Masterpiece pintos with the smooth magnas before, interesting.

Thanks Rob! It will be even more interesting if it comes back as straight! But I think it will. The numbered, under cut cylinder is, to me at least, very telling.

I've got to get a bunch of guns lettered and I've been too much of a slug to get it done...

Drew

 

[Sebago Son]

Drew,
As a follow up to my comment about seeing Combat Masterpiece pintos, I'll add these pics of Mike Priwer's fantastic, awesome, cool, desireable, much lusted after 3" gun... (do you think I like this gun?)
I had the privilege of taking some pics of this a few years back, I dream of this gun being added to my 3" K-frame collection.... someday....maybe..... hopefully.... (Mike, are you listening... )

Damn. That's a beauty. Makes mine look like a trot line weight. Thanks to you and Mike both for a chance to see it!

 

[heiner71]

K93xxx

Here is one of my favorite guns. My well worn 1950 vintage heavy barrel 5 screw K38. It has a target hammer, standard trigger, gold bead front sight and non original grips. Wonderful shooter though.

And its Combat Masterpiece companion (serial numbers only ~1000 apart) with plenty of character.

 

[dgludwig]

I have enjoyed reading this thread since its inception a couple of years ago. It's a timeless topic.
I do have a couple of questions regarding my Model 14 and Masterpiece revolvers in general. My revolver has the serial number (K 31231x) located in only one location-the bottom of the butt (and also on the original grips the gun came with). I can find no indication as to the model number, neither model 14 nor K-38 Masterpiece, anywhere on the revolver. Other than the manufacturer's name and address on the right side of the frame; "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG." on the right side of the barrel and "SMITH&WESSON" on the left side of the barrel, there is no reference as to the model designation. The number 26728 and number/letter 6 L is stamped inside the crane/yoke area.
It's my understanding that my revolver was made during the transitional year of 1957, when model names were being replaced by model numbers. But my revolver has neither the model name nor the model number. Is this typical? Thanks for any insights to this question.

 

[Sebago Son]

Hammers...

Great pics Speedo2, thanks for posting.
To your questions...

1- I believe your gun is likely original, I have one 4 screw Model 14 (model marked) from 1958 that has the fish hook hammer and believe it's original. The factory didn't throw anything away and I've seen many guns into the late 50's using that hammer, so it's likely original, IMO.

With regard to the "Fishhook" or "Sculpted" hammer, I think that a few escaped even later than the 50's. The lower gun here is a model marked 10-dash-something-or-other well into the 60's. I've had it a while and considering that I bought it from a non-aficionado, I believe it is as built.



Drew

 

[SmithNut]

I have enjoyed reading this thread since its inception a couple of years ago. It's a timeless topic.
I do have a couple of questions regarding my Model 14 and Masterpiece revolvers in general. My revolver has the serial number (K 31231x) located in only one location-the bottom of the butt (and also on the original grips the gun came with). I can find no indication as to the model number, neither model 14 nor K-38 Masterpiece, anywhere on the revolver. Other than the manufacturer's name and address on the right side of the frame; "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG." on the right side of the barrel and "SMITH&WESSON" on the left side of the barrel, there is no reference as to the model designation. The number 26728 and number/letter 6 L is stamped inside the crane/yoke area.
It's my understanding that my revolver was made during the transitional year of 1957, when model names were being replaced by model numbers. But my revolver has neither the model name nor the model number. Is this typical? Thanks for any insights to this question.

dgludwig,
Your revolver was likely made in the 1957/58 timeframe, which is about the time that Model numbers started showing up on S&W guns. There are lots of exceptions, but given that, your gun is/was made just prior to model numbers being implemented. As for the name, none of these guns ever were stamped as Masterpiece, that is just what the factory called them. They are truly masterpieces when it comes to function, fit and finish, but almost universally Model names were not usually found on S&W revolvers, there are exceptions, for example the Highway Patrolman, and as we get later in production there are other examples in the late 80's (Model of 1989, etc), but these are exceptions to the norm. The model names were assigned within the factory and continued even after they started assigning model numbers, you will find many references to Model names in factory catalogs and flyers for many decades.

As to the serial numbers, in the 4 screw era we did start to see less and less stamping of serial numbers. For fun, look at the underside of the extractor star, you will need to push it out as if you are ejecting the shells and look under, use a flash light as the numbers are small (if there, you will probably not see the K, just the serial numbers), as well, swing out the cylinder and look at the crane through one of the chambers, if the s/n is there it is on the surface that faces the front of the cylinder.

Regards,

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I may have to make some changes in my lifestyle soon. Some things one must simply enjoy while they can. Here are a few I have enjoyed over the years, including concealed carry. Give me a few minutes to try and address the problem.http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/MeAmMe/Pre 27/newpicsAug27027.jpg Have to thank a man named Lyle for helping me to own the one on top. The next:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/MeAmMe/Pre 27/0707016.jpg is a close-up of some beautiful grips and case colors on a 14-1 with 8 3/8" tube. This factory nickel: http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/MeAmMe/SWs 922r S12 SF/022009055.jpg is a later 14-8 and the only one I ever warmed up to.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

These were made to fill voids in the ways certain revolvers were always made.http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/MeAmMe/K-22/SWs004.jpg It, too, is an exception of a nickel Model 14. Think this was a dash five: One of The Twelve Revolvers, called The Last Stand.

 

[SmithNut]

I may have to make some changes in my lifestyle soon. Some things one must simply enjoy while they can. Here are a few I have enjoyed over the years, including concealed carry. Give me a few minutes to try and address the problem.http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/MeAmMe/Pre 27/newpicsAug27027.jpg Have to thank a man named Lyle for helping me to own the one on top. The next:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/MeAmMe/Pre 27/0707016.jpg is a close-up of some beautiful grips and case colors on a 14-1 with 8 3/8" tube.

Bud Jr,
Nice pic, for sure. The top gun is fantastic, is it one of the Combat Masterpiece guns for Missouri? Are you referring to Lyle Larkworthy? He had some fine Law Enforcement guns and I recall him owning one of the 5" Combat Masterpiece models. The other two are great guns as well, if you don't mind, would you send me info on the serial numbers? I'd like to see if/where they are from a timeframe perspective, love the early guns with the fish-hook hammer.


Regards,

 

[SmithNut]

With regard to the "Fishhook" or "Sculpted" hammer, I think that a few escaped even later than the 50's. The lower gun here is a model marked 10-dash-something-or-other well into the 60's. I've had it a while and considering that I bought it from a non-aficionado, I believe it is as built.



Drew

Drew, you're killing me....
Those two RB M&P's are fantastic.... love them. The early post-war M&P's with round butt and fish-hook hammers are very special guns...

Thanks for posting that pair...

P.S., notice I didn't say "nice pair", always was cautious about saying that in an open forum

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I'd feel obliged to send the S/Ns to you, Sir. The top was ISP. Don't think the non-relieved stocks are factory, but just my thoughts.
Try to add some other ones as time permits. Your collection, as with everyone else who may just have one, is a collection of true craftsmanship. Reminds me of the story of the Russians shooting Mosin Nagants for practice...

 

[bob1956]

Really enjoyed your post it was very informative. I like the fact that you decided to collect guns that others had no or little intrest in. Its kinda like collecting revolvers as most of the gun nuts I see in local shops want black plastic bottom feeders. Thank God for them they leave the revolvers for us old school six gun lovers. So next time your in a local shop and you see one of these guys handling a black pistol tell em
that is deffinatly you and you better get two of them, One for each hand.....

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Bud Jr,
Nice pic, for sure. The top gun is fantastic, is it one of the Combat Masterpiece guns for Missouri? Are you referring to Lyle Larkworthy? He had some fine Law Enforcement guns and I recall him owning one of the 5" Combat Masterpiece models. The other two are great guns as well, if you don't mind, would you send me info on the serial numbers? I'd like to see if/where they are from a timeframe perspective, love the early guns with the fish-hook hammer.


Regards,

Yes, it was Lyle Larkworthy. Almost bought a Kansas City Masterpiece from him, but I frowned on the condition. That ISP 5" was sent with the original box, btw. I'll look to see if I have any letters for them, too. Have another Pre 14 I know of, too.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Then there are the four inch variations. Can't buy them all.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/MeAmMe/IMG_0081_zpsa2156407.jpg Had a chance to buy a nickel 4" 14-2, but I chose another blued one. Thinking back; no, I still would have bought this one: http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/MeAmMe/K-22/SWs001.jpg

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I couldn't stand it any longer. Took this baby out for a run with 50 rounds.
It was sold to me (where do they come up with all these stories) as a salesman's personal gun. Haven't had it lettered, but it was nickeled at the factory. Gold bead makes it a delight to shoot with my tired eyes.
It will be shot more often. http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/MeAmMe/K-22/IMG_0870001.jpg
A RB full lug I had a pic of without factory grips, but they were on the gun when I purchased it. Sorry: bad link.

Will attempt more later

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

SmithNut, the four screw 1957 Pre Model 14 is just an awesome gun.
I know you are keeping records and such. Which guns would you like serial numbers for. I have a few more 14s here and there.