K-38, Model 15 need help please

[12many]

Today I purchased a revolver from someone at work and I need some help identifying it.
I believe it is either K-38 Combat Masterpiece, but it looks like it might be a Model 15.
The serial number is K250215 and on the cylinder swing out arm are where my models 10, 36 & 38 say that there is the number 98562 on both the revolver frame and the cylinder swing out arm.
My Standard Catalog of S&W, 3rd edition seems to put the S/N at 1955.
I have not been able to post pics but will figure it out.

Anything anyone could tell me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[scha]

In that era the Masterpiece with a 6 inch barrel was what later became the Model 14. The Combat Masterpiece with a 4 inch barrel later became the Model 15. Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[12many]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/12many-albums-s-and-w-tsd-picture20706-img-1638-1-a.html

 

[12many]

In that era the Masterpiece with a 6 inch barrel was what later became the Model 14. The Combat Masterpiece with a 4 inch barrel later became the Model 15. Hope this helps.

Steve

Thanks it does. It is has a 4" barrel and the front sight has a red insert.
I am I right in assuming it was mfg. in 1955 due to the S/N on the bottom of the grip.
I think I got a picture posted too

 

[12many]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/12many-albums-s-and-w-tsd-picture20705-img-1637-a.html

 

[rct269]

Today I purchased a revolver from someone at work and I need some help identifying it.
I believe it is either K-38 Combat Masterpiece, but it looks like it might be a Model 15.
The serial number is K250215 and on the cylinder swing out arm are where my models 10, 36 & 38 say that there is the number 98562 on both the revolver frame and the cylinder swing out arm.
My Standard Catalog of S&W, 3rd edition seems to put the S/N at 1955.
I have not been able to post pics but will figure it out.

Anything anyone could tell me would be greatly appreciated.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME------------------

Right you are----either way---whatever floats your boat. It's a Combat Mastepiece. If it was a bit newer, it would say Model 15 where your other model number guns say whatever they say. Some folks will tell you it's a "Pre Model 15". I won't tell you that because the mere thought of such obscenities makes my teeth hurt. So much for that!!

The number on the frame and the cylinder swing out arm is an assembly number assigned before assigning a serial number---so as to enable keeping the frame, sideplate, and cylinder swing out arm together----or back together if/when they get separated. There's a good reason for that which I don't recall right off. (That's just as well, because there are those who will dispute the validity of the "good reason".)

Finally, the cylinder swing out arm is also known as the yoke-------unless it's on a Colt---then it's a crane. I think I'm going to go with your "cylinder swing out arm" as a one size fits all so I don't have to remember this yoke/crane business any longer.

Ralph Tremaine

And with due deference to the Standard Catalog and Jinks' History (which is very likely where the Standard Catalog got its information), I'll bet anybody who wants to play K250215 shipped well into 1956------anybody but Club Gun Fan. (You don't want to be making such bets with him because he KNOWS when something went out the door-----no guessing games about it.)

 

[12many]

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME------------------

Right you are----either way---whatever floats your boat. It's a Combat Mastepiece. If it was a bit newer, it would say Model 15 where your other model number guns say whatever they say. Some folks will tell you it's a "Pre Model 15". I won't tell you that because the mere thought of such obscenities makes my teeth hurt. So much for that!!

The number on the frame and the cylinder swing out arm is an assembly number assigned before assigning a serial number---so as to enable keeping the frame, sideplate, and cylinder swing out arm together----or back together if/when they get separated. There's a good reason for that which I don't recall right off (That's just as well, because there are those who will dispute the validity of the "good reason".)

Finally, the cylinder swing out arm is also known as the yoke-------unless it's on a Colt---then it's a crane. I think I'm going to go with your "cylinder swing out arm" as a one size fits all so I don't have to remember this yoke/crane business any longer.

Ralph Tremaine

Thanks Ralph Tremaine
I was hoping it was the Combat Masterpiece. Love these old S&W revolvers every since I inherited my Dads Model 10 and Model 38

 

[12many]

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME------------------

Right you are----either way---whatever floats your boat. It's a Combat Mastepiece. If it was a bit newer, it would say Model 15 where your other model number guns say whatever they say. Some folks will tell you it's a "Pre Model 15". I won't tell you that because the mere thought of such obscenities makes my teeth hurt. So much for that!!

The number on the frame and the cylinder swing out arm is an assembly number assigned before assigning a serial number---so as to enable keeping the frame, sideplate, and cylinder swing out arm together----or back together if/when they get separated. There's a good reason for that which I don't recall right off. (That's just as well, because there are those who will dispute the validity of the "good reason".)

Finally, the cylinder swing out arm is also known as the yoke-------unless it's on a Colt---then it's a crane. I think I'm going to go with your "cylinder swing out arm" as a one size fits all so I don't have to remember this yoke/crane business any longer.

Ralph Tremaine

So am I safe to call it a K-38 Combat Masterpiece??

 

[JP@AK]

So am I safe to call it a K-38 Combat Masterpiece??

Yes, but .38 Combat Masterpiece would be more accurate (in terms of what the company always called it).

 

[1911luvr]

My K-38 was just called a Masterpiece, not a Combat Masterpiece.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[12many]

Yes, but .38 Combat Masterpiece would be more accurate (in terms of what the company always called it).

Thanks JP@AK and to everyone else!

 

[rct269]

SAFE??

So am I safe to call it a K-38 Combat Masterpiece??

Safe? Sure----you're among friends. On the other hand, some of our friends are picky-picky-picky. I'm one of them. I'd call it a 38 Combat for the sake of brevity, but can't remember ever doing that in favor of 38 Combat Masterpiece. K-38 Combat Masterpiece is redundant. (I had to say that because you have no idea of redundancy until you see what Jinks called mine.) And I quote from the school of leaving no stone unturned: " Smith & Wesson Model K-38 Combat Masterpiece Pre Model 15, caliber .38 S&W Special, revolver." I'd ask if there were any questions, but there most certainly could not be-------------they're not allowed!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[JP@AK]

My K-38 was just called a Masterpiece, not a Combat Masterpiece.

Correct. With the 6" barrel, it is a K-38 Masterpiece, nearly always with the Patridge front sight. The service version with a 4" barrel and usually the Baughman front sight was called the .38 Combat Masterpiece.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Yes, but .38 Combat Masterpiece would be more accurate (in terms of what the company always called it).

No.. as 1911luvr demonstrates on the box... K-38

 

[jouesdeveau]

My K-38 was just called a Masterpiece, not a Combat Masterpiece.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I believe that would be the "TARGET Masterpiece"

 

[BigBill]

In that era the Masterpiece with a 6 inch barrel was what later became the Model 14. The Combat Masterpiece with a 4 inch barrel later became the Model 15. Hope this helps.

Steve

S&W k22 / 6" barrel masterpiece target.
S&w k38 / pre model 14 6" barrel target masterpiece
S&W k38 / pre model 15 4" barrel combat masterpiece.

These are probably the three finest s&w revolvers ever made.

 

[JP@AK]

No.. as 1911luvr demonstrates on the box... K-38

Go look at his picture again. It shows a K-38 Masterpiece in its box. NOT a .38 Combat Masterpiece. No one here has argued that the 6" model is anything other than a K-38 Masterpiece. And the name was NEVER "K-38 Target Masterpiece."

But the AMC, the boxes and outside advertizing listed the 4" guns as the .38 Combat Masterpiece. The same monikers attach to the .22 caliber equivalent models - K-22 Masterpiece and .22 Combat Masterpiece.