K-38 help wanted

[richevans]

I'm sure you've all likely seen these type of posts before, but since I'm new to this forum, I figured this particular request might be of some interest.
I have K-38 that belonged to my dad when he was a member of the local special police. I've shot it a few times, and man is this beast accurate!
I'm hoping to be able to more accurately date it since there are a few confounding comments I've found as I've researched it. As per the suggested images you'll likely need, I have attached a few.
The serial number is K302052, and I was told it was likely from the late '60s, however there are also other details that seem to point to an earlier date: it has the screw in front of the trigger guard which I'm told if from the early '60s. Also appears to have the optional 'target hammer', and the grips are unrelieved.
Please let me know if you need any other photos to assist in finding the heritage of this really nice gun. Thx! --Rich

 

[usedkid]

Most likely mid 1950's...

 

[arjay]

The serial number dates to 1957 and the non relieved grips are a few years older than the gun. Nice 4 screw!

 

[JP@AK]

Hi richevans and welcome to the S&W Forum.

K302052 is a serial number from 1957. Your K-38 may have shipped either that year or the next, and likely left Springfield in early 1958. I do show one at K304xxx that shipped in February, 1958.

We would expect it to be a four screw gun (which it is) and to lack any model marking (which it does). About 10,000 numbers higher and it would be marked as a Model 14.

Whoever told you it was from the "late '60s" is simply mistaken. By then, it would have a 3 screw frame and would be marked as a Model 14-3.

The non-relieved stocks are quite nice, and are a little bit unusual for a 1957-58 gun, but could possibly be original. Since target stocks were not numbered, there is no way to be certain.

 

[JP@AK]

BTW the presence of the jig hole in the grip frame would also be an indicator of a revolver from the pre-model number era. Those appear in the postwar period, but for the most part you don't find them on guns shipped after about 1958-59, in my experience.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Best fun handgun ever made. Love the (valuable) grips, glad you're using them. They feel much better than later S&W target grips - at least to most people.

 

[Targets Guy]

My K38 CM shipped 12/1957. S/N is K3044xx.


K3034xx shipped 11/1957.

 

[richevans]

Thanks!

Thank you everyone...this is most helpful. I'm trying to put values on all my pieces for insurance - turns out that the grips on this piece are quite valuable on their own! I'll be posting more soon. --Rich