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

[Smithbug]

This is a fantastic thread. I love seeing all the k-38s. I really believe the the 38 masterpiece is the most underrated of Smith’s revolvers. They are crazy accurate, great to carry and are just beautiful all around. Here’s my 1955 5 screw masterpiece with the 3ts. You can’t see from this side but they are non-relieved target stocks.

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[Dakotakid]

mod 14

thank you !! outstanding !!!

 

[stu1ritter]

My Masterpiece from mid 1948 and my factory cut 5" barreled 14-2 shipped 11-21-1962. I need to take some better photo's.

Stu

 

[Green Frog]

This thread has been running for nine years now. I guess we can safely say that when S&W named it the Masterpiece, they were pre-acknowledging that this would be one of the best-loved guns in their lineup. To me at least, the K-38 and its 22 and 32 caliber siblings define S&W excellence and quality.

Froggie

 

[Chukar60]

This thread has been here longer than I have, but this is the first time I saw it. Great thread with lots of great information and pictures.
I only have one to add to the show. Model 14 no dash, 4 screw frame and 5” barrel. Mr. Jinks says it left the factory in this configuration in April of 1960.




I have my letter form on my desk just waiting for some time to send it in.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Still a great thread, Smithnut. If I had thought about it when we spoke at the S&WCA Symposium last month in Texas,I would have pestered you to put together an article for the S&WCA Journal on the K-38 Masterpiece guns. You are the guy who should write that article.

Somewhere up above in this thread there was mention made of the U.S. military shipped K-38 Masterpieces and the AFPG guns. I don't think anyone has posted one yet so I'll toss this one in.

This example is a Model 14 with serial K405427. It letters as having shipped to the U.S. Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB on October 20, 1960. It has the high polish blue. The factory letter confirms that it shipped with Target Hammer and Target Grips. Just below the cylinder window one can see the AFPG marking which means, of course, Air Force Premium Grade. That marking was applied by the Air Force gunsmiths at Lackland AFB.



Anyone with an interest in the military K-38s should study the fine article written by Kevin Williams entitled "Military Masterpieces". It was published in the S&WCA Journal Spring 2011 issue.

 

[les.b]

I'm a short barrel kind of a guy, so I prefer this variation:

Shipped December 1956:

Thanks for resurrecting this thread...there are some beautiful "Masterpieces" here!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[kwill1911]

Since Charlie posted a USAF K-38 I feel obliged to post a US Army one shipped in mid-1956:

 

[hkcavalier]

I did end up getting that 8-3/8" gun I was looking for (see post #169).

14-4 LNIB

 

[lestert357]

Terrific thread! I’ll add my one and only K-38 Masterpiece from 1956, engraved by Claus and Emil Willig in the late 1950’s for the Kurt Yeager, Mainz engraving shop.

Photo Credit Morphy Auctions

Photo Credit Morphy Auctions

 

[pitspitr]

That's all I got, let's see yours....

Thanks for Posting this SmithNut! I spent a lot of time pouring over this thread before I bought mine. Though it appears to hove been shot quite a bit it has been well taken care of. Aftermarket target grips and an aftermarket trigger shoe had been added. It shoots real well. According to the serial number it's a 1954.

 

[Bumpus13]

Great thread, and WOW ... Spectacular collection SmithNut!

I’m a big fan of these incredibly accurate revolvers. Mine always makes me look better than I am at the range.

5-screw K-38 Masterpiece from, as close as I’ve gotten, either ‘49 or ‘50 (K834xx) with some, as I’m told, rare 3 piece target stocks. Unfortunately, the spacer is broken into two pieces. Luckily, it doesn’t impact the feel while shooting. This gun is always fun at the range and normally turns a head or two.

 

[Dave.357]

14’s

I really enjoyed your post. Model 14’s are my favorite K-frame
I have owed many and kept a few. These are the ones that I still feed and care for.

 

[Green Frog]

Four pages about the K38... somebody out there must like them. IMHO, no shooter’s battery, nor enthusiast’s collection is complete without nice examples of the K frame Target Models. They are truly Masterpieces of the Gun maker’s art.

Froggie

 

[iskra]

Wow! Wow! Wow! Thanks for the beautiful layout and wealth of informaiton concerning this great Smith genre! Photos too, the best! Great presentation package!
I didn't note the 4" Combat Masterpiece, my presumption of beyond radar. Moment to advocate it's inclusion as going hand in hand. "Complimenting!" My single example, from firt year 1949 and very nice shape. SN K83xxx. Of bunch, my sweetheart!
I also have an early slim barrel .38 Masterpiece in K23xxx; K185xxx & 14-4 blue in 8 3/8th barrel.
Have interesting tattered box/tattered label purporting "38 Masterpiece Heavy Barrel" with hand notation over 6" marking as 5" barrel & handwritten codes.
Again, contratulations! Super great effort & resulting 'job of work'!
Concur that it should be s "Stickie" or some such in this Forum!
Best & Stay Safe!
John

 

[rct269]

As much as I hate to admit not having read every post in THIS MASTERPIECE, and as much as I hate picking yet another nit, and as much as I appreciate the use of the term "non-tapered" (as opposed to the term "untapered"-------which pretty much makes my teeth hurt) when referring to the wide rib barrels to be found on the several later variations of the K-38, please take note of the fact these barrels are tapered-----as are the ribs. They're not tapered much, I grant you; but they are most certainly tapered-----and I suspect they'd look rather "klunky" if they weren't----not to mention they might be a bit nose heavy for some folks' taste.

We'll save the rest of this for another time and place, but you need to know S&W has taken significant pains over the years to produce target grade handguns that are balanced---------just so. And I'll bet the best examples will prove to be surprising----and quite possibly heretofore unknown------at least to those of us who came along later.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Jess9]

Photos?

Interesting thread, but where did the hi-res photos go? Come back please .

Waiting on a 14 and 14-3 single action , heard great things about these revolvers , cant wait to try them out.

Cheers,

J9