K38 combat masterpiece

[OldSmiths357]

She’s not pretty or a safe queen, but it’s good and tight. Be a fun shooter that’s 74 years old. All numbers match. The grips look the best and serials to the gun. This is only my second pre-model. Guess I need to get with it. lol.

 

[Housepuss]

K38 CM

You snagged a real nice one. Can't tell exactly from the
photo but looks like this one has the .500 target hammer. Those
sharp shoulder magnas ain't too shabby either. That style went away sometime in 1952

Good honest wear, can't beat that. Enjoy

 

[SmithNut]

You snagged a real nice one. Can't tell exactly from the
photo but looks like this one has the .500 target hammer. Those
sharp shoulder magnas ain't too shabby either. Those went away sometime in 1952

Good honest wear, can't beat that. Enjoy

Not a Target hammer, S&W called that the "Hi Speed" hammer, also known as the "Fish-Hook" hammer by collectors.

Neat gun...

 

[45Smashemflat]

Best name for a revolver, ever!

 

[T44spl]

Five screw Pre model 15 with the fish hook hammer and sharp shoulder magnas and just the right amount of wear not to inhibit shooting which is what these guns do best. All it's missing is a Tyler and some range time.

 

[OldSmiths357]

Five screw Pre model 15 with the fish hook hammer and sharp shoulder magnas and just the right amount of wear not to inhibit shooting which is what these guns do best. All it's missing is a Tyler and some range time.

Was thinking a Tyler T but I also have a set of period correct targets for it. Again, they ain’t pretty but will do. Couldn’t pass this one up for what I paid.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Very nice. I have a 1952 version, one of my favorite sixguns.

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun. It's a K frame and a .38 but not named a K-38 - .38 Combat Masterpiece. Enjoy!

 

[DV0]

I can relate to the adoration, just sweet!

 

[Oldengineer]

A very pleasing 38 Combat Masterpiece. Made by skilled gunsmiths that meant business.

 

[robvious]

Patina.. it has the perfect amount of Patina... range report needed.

 

[MSD2343]

Looks like that grand old soldier would have quite a few stories to tell. So much cooler than just another safe queen. Enjoy!!

 

[Hawg Rider]

Cool gun. It's a K frame and a .38 but not named a K-38 - .38 Combat Masterpiece. Enjoy!

Actually murphydog, according to the SCSW 4th Ed., the OP does have a "K-38 Combat Masterpiece Pre-Model 15". It's the sister model to the "K-38 Masterpiece Pre-Model 14". As you know, the two models are differentiated by the barrel length (4" and 6", resp.) and front sight. Regardless of the semantics, it's a really nice revolver! Congratulations, and enjoy!

 

[glowe]

I do not understand some comments here, but I have never been inhibited by shooting a pristine revolver at the range. I have a Combat Masterpiece that still looks near new and have shot many rounds through it. You do not wear out the gun or the finish by careful use at the gun range. Still cleans up very well!

 

[handejector]

Not a Target hammer, S&W called that the "Hi Speed" hammer, also known as the "Fish-Hook" hammer by collectors.

Neat gun...

Rednecks started that "fish-hook" stuff. Us sofisstikated fokes says "Sculpted Hammer".
(goes back to the 60s in my experience)

 

[handejector]

What serial range is your gun? It looks like it might be Bright Blue instead of satin. If it is 52 or before, that would have been optional. Maybe it is just oily in the pics...... Is there a large "B" on the barrel flat next to the frame?

 

[JP@AK]

Actually murphydog, according to the SCSW 4th Ed., the OP does have a "K-38 Combat Masterpiece Pre-Model 15".

Sorry, Hawg Rider, but Alan is right. The SCSW is incorrect. Catalogs, the All Model Circular, the box labels all said .38 Combat Masterpiece, never K-38 Combat Masterpiece. Only sometime after model numbers appeared in the late 1950s and only in ONE place did S&W ever use "K-38" Combat Masterpiece in its literature and that was on the spec sheet included with the Model 15 (and, I assume the Model 18 - "K-22," although I have not seen a spec sheet from that period for that model).

Hence the company's official name for the .38 and .22 Combat Masterpiece did not include the K-whatever. I know that Roy used it in Letters of Authenticity, so that gave some credence to the matter, but his use ran contrary to what S&W did for all the years from 1949ish until sometime after 1958.

I don't think this matter is worth any sort of fight. But, the record overall does show that the K-38 and K-22 labels are not correct for these models.

 

[Jim Watson]

Long long ago, I admired a 4" M&P Target, kind of a pre pre pre M15.
I declined the deal because it had a sluggish trigger return. I did not know that was probably the result of the previous owner clipping the rebound spring, readily corrected.

 

[SmithNut]

......snip.....
(goes back to the 60s in my experience)

Hmmmm, well Lee I wasn't into the gun scene back then as I was still in grade school....

Looking back I recall the toughest 3 years of my life was 4th grade......

 

[glowe]

Actually murphydog, according to the SCSW 4th Ed., the OP does have a "K-38 Combat Masterpiece Pre-Model 15". It's the sister model to the "K-38 Masterpiece Pre-Model 14". As you know, the two models are differentiated by the barrel length (4" and 6", resp.) and front sight. Regardless of the semantics, it's a really nice revolver! Congratulations, and enjoy!

Actually, to be historically correct, the 1954 factory flyer and 1952 catalog stated that the 4" was simply called Combat Masterpiece available in 38 Special caliber. They also mention that this model was available in 22 caliber for training purposes. The 1952 S&W catalog also named the 38 as a Combat Masterpiece in their publication with a short mention to a 22. THis seemed to carry forward until the model numbers came out starting in 1957.

Most S&W authors are in agreement with collector naming conventions. Supica/Nahas SCSW4 names all Masterpiece revolvers as starting with a "K". Roy Jinks 125 Years with Smith & Wesson named the Combat Masterpiece line with the K" and caliber. So we have two camps, one factory original and the other collector authors. Should not make any difference with one members choose to use once they know the origin options.