K Frame 38 Question

[SOFMatchstaff]

I was rooting in the safe and re-discovered a K-38 that I think is a 1957 transition. its a 4 screw, K3044xx with a 5" barrel, new un-fired, no model number on the frame at the crane. its gooved 10 lines on the front and back strap, service grips, pretty plain except for the dedication engraved on the right side plate.

My question is about the barrel length, is 5" common or not? I've never run on to one that I can remember.

thanks

 

[murphydog]

There were a few factory 5" K-38s, but I don't know of a way to verify this short of a factory historical letter. It is rare if it is original, and one possibility is it may have been a Missouri Highway Patrol issue gun.

It measures 5" from the muzzle to the cylinder face, correct (apologies if this is a stupid question)?

 

[SOFMatchstaff]

K38

It is 5" muzzle to cyl face. I doubt that the gun ever came close to the MHP as its un fired and belonged to a US Army gen officer. I thought about a letter request, but thought I'd try here first..

 

[semperfi71]

Hi,

Smithnut posted a group of photos of his collection of K-38s through M14s and there was/is a 5 inch 1957 Illinois State Police issue K-38.

I assume that if you are measuring the barrel correctly then you may have a quite rare K-38.

 

[linde]

Although never cataloged, S&W did produce a 5" K38 pre-model 14 (as you described) with Baughman ramp front sight as a special order for the Illinois State Police. In addition to the approximately 500 purchased by the ISP, there were a number (not sure how many) ordered and sold to the public by H. H. Harris in Chicago . . . Harris served as the S&W dealer for the ISP purchase. There were also a number (again, not sure how many) of "overruns" shipped to other dealers who often purchased a few examples of special barrel length runs.

There were four 5" K38s in the K3044XX serial number range purchased by the ISP . . . if you'll PM me your complete serial number I can check to see if yours was one. Given the condition and inscription, yours seems more likely one of those sold to the public.

As mentioned by murphydog, the Missouri State Highway Patrol special ordered approximately 400 5" .38 Combat Masterpiece in 1952. By contrast, they were 5-screw with the early tapered barrel and narrow barrel rib.

The 5" barrel length is a very desirable barrel length so occasionally ones surface that are outside the ISP and MSHP serial number ranges. Based on S&W factory letters, there were as many as 5,000 total 5" variations of the K38 produced.

Russ

 

[JayCeeNC]

It may have been a special order gun, particularly if it was purchased by the general officer or maybe purchased for him as a gift. It would be a nice history project if you care to research the officer. A letter would probably add to the value, but it's a $50 gamble to see where it shipped. On the other hand, it would verify if it left the factory with a 5" barrel.
I noticed your screen name; I shot the SOF 3-Gun Match from 1988-1993 in Las Vegas. Good times.

 

[SOFMatchstaff]

K38

JayCee, I wish I could remember all the folks that we ran thru over the years, I mostly ran the shotgun phases , the ones with all the vehicles and junk for window dressing. All those years and not a scratch or hole in the old Ambulance. I do remember one guy that caught the sling of his Mossberg on the tow hook of my halftrack, at full speed, and did a classic Charlie Brown in the air. Left the mossy hangin on the track. Yeah , good times, but the Match ran its course, got harder to come up with something better than the previous year. Most of the time we just took all the mistakes and tactical goofs that you guys displayed and tried to incorporate them into the courses for next year. WE all learned, shooter and matchstaff alike...

Linde's post shed some good info and leads on the K38, both technical and possible history about the owners acquisition of it.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Is it a heavy barrel or standard barrel, and what front sight does it have?

 

[SOFMatchstaff]

K 38

Its a heavy contour with a black ramped site, pinned.

 

[SOFMatchstaff]

5" K 38

Thanks for all the good info. Linde has provided some very encouraging data that makes it mandatory that I submit for a Factory letter. He still has more to research to be sure, so I'll wait for the final word. He has narowed it down to the ISP time frame, just not which block of guns.

My local information and knowledge of this pieces history tie it to the Chicago area very nicely. It was an interesting find without the additional factor of the 5" barrel being so desirable.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Congrats any way you look at it.