K models

[mrgils]

Hi, have been reading the forums for a couple of hours and have found everyone to be quite friendly and informative.

My Dad (retired Chicago Police) has passed on and left me some firearms and it could be a new hobby for me.
I am trying to get some info on two of his S&W revolvers,and I was hoping to get some help. They are sn#'s

.38 cal k 2816XX blue
.22 Cal k 3146XX blue

thanks for any assistance

 

[diamonback68]

The .38 K2816XX is from 1956 and would be either a pre-model 14 or 15 depending on barrel length.
The .22 K3146XX is from 1957 and could be model marked in the yoke or if not it's a pre-model 17 or 18, again depending on barrel length. Hope that helps.

 

[mrgils]

Dick, thanks for your answer, I had remembered that my Dad had gotten them when I was a toddler. I think both are 4inch barrels. Apprreciate the welcome and help

 

[DCWilson]

And just to offer a little further info, both of these guns would have been part of S&W's "Masterpiece" series, which consisted of K-frame revolvers with adjustable sights in three different calibers: .22, .32, and .38 Special. These were some of the finest target revolvers the company (or any company) ever made.

 

[diamonback68]

I think both are 4inch barrels. Apprreciate the welcome and help

Great, then the .38 would be the pre-model 15 and the .22 would either be a pre-model or model 18. They started model marking in late 1957 or early 1958. The 14s and 17s a long barrel. Both yours are great revolvers, enjoy!

 

[PMRet]

Welcome to the forum, you'll find a lot of information here that will help with your new hobby.

Sounds like you have a pair of Combat Masterpieces, which would be identical except for the caliber. It was (and still is) fairly common to have .22 and centerfire revolvers in the same configuration for practice purposes, and it's very possible that's why your Dad had these two.

By the way, we like pictures here, so post a couple if you can.

 

[Art Doc]

Here you go. A pair of Combat Masterpieces in 22 and 38.