Informal Pictorial Essay - K-38 Masterpiece (and Model 14) variations
- Thread starter SmithNut
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dscampbell
Member
Wow this is a wonderful thread. I truly regret selling my model 14 when the sheriff finally authorized use of .357 mag ammunition and succumbed to magnumitus. I do take comfort in that I was able to pick up a model 15 last year. Still on the hunt for a k38 from my birth year (1951) but as I am in California it's extremely difficult.
Actually a 1951 revolver is automatically classified as a Curio & Relic, so the gun you want could come into this state from any other state with no trouble whatsoever. You are looking for one with a serial number between about K105000 and K125000, with a little fuzziness at either end of the range.
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Yes, I'm missing one of those....
David,
That is a fantastic example of a very scarce variation. I'd love to add a large ejector rod model to my fledgling collection. As well, I'd also like to add a Mexican Model, it's part of the history of this fine S&W product, IMO.
My collection of K38 Masterpieces was assembled, primarily, from the NW, gun-shops, pawn shops and of course trades with other local collectors. I have resisted the urge to haunt the auction houses, knowing that some rare examples show up from time to time, but the hunt is as much fun as having these guns in my possession. One of these days I'll run into a large ejector rod version, hopefully in good condition.
Thanks for posting yours, it's a very nice gun.
I had completely forgotten about this thread, and I am glad it came back so I could study SmithNut's first-rate K-38 photos all over again.
Perhaps the only distinctive type of K-38 not already represented in this thread is the very early type with the large ejector rod knob. These guns were barely on collectors' radar screens at the time this thread was first live, but in the last couple of years a few have been posted and discussed here. I have K4709, which was featured in a recent thread about the LERK Masterpiece models. A pic:
I believe no more than 350 K-38s were produced with the large ejector rod knob; only five have been reported on this forum, though members may own a few more that have not been discussed. All others almost certainly carry the knobless rods seen in the other photos in this thread.
David,
That is a fantastic example of a very scarce variation. I'd love to add a large ejector rod model to my fledgling collection. As well, I'd also like to add a Mexican Model, it's part of the history of this fine S&W product, IMO.
My collection of K38 Masterpieces was assembled, primarily, from the NW, gun-shops, pawn shops and of course trades with other local collectors. I have resisted the urge to haunt the auction houses, knowing that some rare examples show up from time to time, but the hunt is as much fun as having these guns in my possession. One of these days I'll run into a large ejector rod version, hopefully in good condition.
Thanks for posting yours, it's a very nice gun.
I only looked casually through the whole thread. I didn't see any mention of, nor pictures of,
a Mexican Model. My understanding is that its a post-WW2 K-38 .
Regards, Mike
a Mexican Model. My understanding is that its a post-WW2 K-38 .
Regards, Mike
johnyakima
Member
Thanks for a very informative essay on the K38. My 14-2 (1967), Ser.
#K7645XX has original magna non-diamond stocks with the serial
number written inside. I have since replaced the stocks (but keep them) with Ahrends cocobolo stocks which fit me better. The revolver came with standard hammer and trigger.
#K7645XX has original magna non-diamond stocks with the serial
number written inside. I have since replaced the stocks (but keep them) with Ahrends cocobolo stocks which fit me better. The revolver came with standard hammer and trigger.
This thread has aged very nicely. Very glad that it got bumped. I enjoyed it as much today as I did several years ago. Thanks for taking me for a walk down "Masterpiece" Lane.
SN - Thanks again!
SN - Thanks again!
A hearty Thank You! SmithNut. I'll be spending some extra time going over your great photos of these guns.
Jerry
Jerry
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Mike,
Yes, that is lacking in the herd, know where I might find one... ?
Would love to add one to the collection, or at least one day hold one and photograph one...
14 K38
This is a great thread! Glad it was brought up and revived! I have a Model 14-3 Single Action, listed it for sale then took it out to shoot one more time and thought, Damn Nice gun and pulled it! Forgot how nice it was to shoot! Don't think I will ever let it go now! They just don't make them like this anymore!
This is a great thread! Glad it was brought up and revived! I have a Model 14-3 Single Action, listed it for sale then took it out to shoot one more time and thought, Damn Nice gun and pulled it! Forgot how nice it was to shoot! Don't think I will ever let it go now! They just don't make them like this anymore!
I know this took some time to put together and the results are great. Thanks for sharing a great collection of 14's. I only have one left, its one of 10 of an over run sent to Miami Fla. The over run is the Illinois State Police 5" revolvers. Thanks to Linde I now own this gun. Thanks Russ, Larry
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geezer1130
Member
Thank you for the beautiful gallery! It made me recall memories of my own K-38 which I bought in the early 1950s while shooting with a police pistol team. The price (new) back then was just a shade over $50.00. As I stated on my original post, I let it go to a fellow officer when I left the department. After moving several times in my new job and after retirement, I began going through my shooting related "stuff" and began selling much of it on Ebay. In the process, I discovered the original K-38 box that had somehow followed me to my present home after all these years. I put it up on Ebay and it sold for over double the price I paid for the gun. Here is a pic of the box.
Jay Pierce
Jay Pierce
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fletre
Member
What a timely thread for you to post. It is great. I didn't know the mod 14 was that great before. By coincidence I just last weekend saw a nice looking 14-3 at a LGS with the original box. I was trading for a 27-2 8 3/8 at the time. I saw it and something told me I better not let that one go so I made a down payment for layaway to tie it up. I'm glad I did. Thanks.
carlo1776
Member
Great pictorial. Here's my 14-4 #83K70**
TiroFijo
Member
What a great thread! Thanks a lot to SmithNut and all who share with us their treasures
Timber Wolf
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My meager offering of a Model 14-3:
Sorry for the Siles, they were on it when I got it. It now wears Pach Pro Grippers, like my Mod 10 PPC gun. I really like this gun and intend to add an extended cylinder release and start my daughter (almost 10 yrs old) out on centerfire with it.
Sorry for the Siles, they were on it when I got it. It now wears Pach Pro Grippers, like my Mod 10 PPC gun. I really like this gun and intend to add an extended cylinder release and start my daughter (almost 10 yrs old) out on centerfire with it.
Great post Smithnut. It will be standard reference for many people for a long time. Thanks.
Sebago Son
Member
HA Rob!
I finally have a Smith that you don't! Only took me 12 years to do it!
14-1 Pinto.
Drew
I finally have a Smith that you don't! Only took me 12 years to do it!
14-1 Pinto.
Drew
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