K-38 Masterpiece Target Stocks

[Bill Bates]

I've not seen this before. It is K-38 Masterpiece 5-screw 1950 vintage with non-relieved target stocks with an interesting plastic adapter. They stocks seem to be factory with black metal washers.

the stocks don't appear to be modified N frame stocks.

The spacer/adapter is nicely molded hard plastic. It isn't some modified one of piece. The grips feel great in the hand.

Anyone know what these are.

 

[younggun22]

Those are 3 piece target grips and they are very very rare. I’ve only seen 3 maybe 4 sets for sale.

I had to buy a gun to get those stocks.

Are they yours?

 

[LEO918]

Early '50s target stock idea were bouncing around at Smith & Wesson.
I've only come across one pair like yours in the wild in all my days.
The young man who owned them brought them to a show and tell and wouldn't sell them.
Here's another early style probably later than yours.

 

[Bill Bates]

Those are 3 piece target grips and they are very very rare. I’ve only seen 3 maybe 4 sets for sale.

I had to buy a gun to get those stocks.

Are they yours?

They belong to a good friend that got them recently from a retired local sheriff deputy. He brought it over to show me because he knew I'm into that vintage Smith & Wessons. He wanted to figure out the age and get some help cleaning it up. The K-38 is pretty rough, gummy and rusty in spots.

I was much more interested in the stocks than the gun itself. I've never seen the likes of them before.

One side note. Someone at the factory forgot to stamp a K in front of the serial number on the frame. They got it on the cylinder and barrel but not on butt.

 

[younggun22]

They belong to a good friend that got them recently from a retired local sheriff deputy. He brought it over to show me because he knew I'm into that vintage Smith & Wessons. He wanted to figure out the age and get some help cleaning it up. The K-38 is pretty rough, gummy and rusty in spots.

I was much more interested in the stocks than the gun itself. I've never seen the likes of them before.

One side note. Someone at the factory forgot to stamp a K in front of the serial number on the frame. They got it on the cylinder and barrel but not on butt.

The gun that came with the stocks I bought was also a pretty rough 5 screw. By chance was his gun bright blue in finish or the more 50’s “matte” finish?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bill Bates]

The gun that came with the stocks I bought was also a pretty rough 5 screw. By chance was his gun bright blue in finish or the more 50’s “matte” finish?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The standard blue.

 

[paplinker]

Late set of those I saw were for sale for $1500 dollars. Always wondered if they sold. They were from a buddys K38. Makes you wonder.

 

[younggun22]

Late set of those I saw were for sale for $1500 dollars. Always wondered if they sold. They were from a buddys K38. Makes you wonder.

Selfishly I hope they sold for more!

Over the course of my collecting I somehow became addicted to stocks of all flavors and these are just plain cool.

 

[paplinker]

Selfishly I hope they sold for more!

Over the course of my collecting I somehow became addicted to stocks of all flavors and these are just plain cool.

I found them very interesting but also very delicate. You had to be very careful as the plastic was a bit flimsy and I could see the plastic breaking if not attached perfectly.

 

[paplinker]

Early '50s target stock idea were bouncing around at Smith & Wesson.
I've only come across one pair like yours in the wild in all my days.
The young man who owned them brought them to a show and tell and wouldn't sell them.
Here's another early style probably later than yours.

These might be my favorite stocks on the whole forum!
Always enjoy seeing them posted.

 

[handejector]

We've known about those for a lonnnng time-
The RAREST Target Stocks
Your pair makes only about the 4th or 5th pair I have ever heard of!

 

[handejector]

Also- while the grips ARE very valuable, don't rush to sell them. They probably shipped on that gun and I would hate to see them split up.
And yes, while I don't remember the price, my pair sold for big bucks. When my pair turned up, nobody could remember ever seeing any.

 

[handejector]

One side note. Someone at the factory forgot to stamp a K in front of the serial number on the frame. They got it on the cylinder and barrel but not on butt.

How interesting! What range is the serial number?
I also had a K-38 many years ago, 5 screw, somewhere in the 200,000 range that lacked the K on the butt. Nice gun with original finish. It is the only one I have ever seen lacking the K.

 

[Bill Bates]

Lee, I'm pretty sure my friend has no interest in selling them or the gun. If he wanted to sell; they would end up in my safe.

 

[murphydog]

Cool stocks and I recall the link to the other set that Lee posted.

The size of the checkered area on them may be the origin of the K frame Special Oversized Target Stocks rumor.