K38 Combat Masterpiece

[DARE]

Selling some guns for a widow. 4-screw, about 90%, grips are newer than the gun. What do y'all think the value is? Guy worked for the U S Park Service for many years. A little holster wear on this one, might have been his duty gun.
Probably list it here in the classifieds. Help appreciated.

 

[JP@AK]

I don't see the fourth screw. Maybe you can show us the front of the trigger guard. What is the serial number on the butt?

Also, the stocks are much later than what you would find on a 4-screw unit, as you stated.

 

[DARE]

A photo of the 4th screw. Serial number K 287136. Not model marked.

 

[Retired W4]

It might be worth the $75 for a letter (provenance). The new owner could spring for period correct magnas. All that aside, $650??

 

[DV0]

Fish hook hammer, (53?) doesn’t look abused just used. Proven provenance would add value. West coast pricing I could see being around $1k or more.

 

[JP@AK]

A photo of the 4th screw. Serial number K 287136. Not model marked.

Thanks.

Serial number K287136 is close to one of my K-38 Masterpiece revolvers. It is K285963. It shipped in January 1957. We would not expect one at that serial number to have a model number.

Mine has the later flat spur on the hammer. Yours shows that the earlier style spur was still being used up as late as 1956. It isn't unheard of.

 

[wheelgun610]

Mine has the later flat spur on the hammer. Yours shows that the earlier style spur was still being used up as late as 1956. It isn't unheard of.

I've got a Combat Masterpiece in the K296000 range that also has the flatter hammer profile which first appeared on the Combat Magnums in '56. I've seen both 4" and 6" K-38s, as well as M&Ps with various barrel lengths from that time frame with both styles of hammers.

 

[lestuff]

Nice gun. In the Tucson area that can be found as low as $500-$600. They show up here every once in a while. The target models run a bit more. I recently got a smoking deal on a K38 Combat at my favorite LGS, $430 (bottom gun in picture) It had knock-off target stocks. I had a set of targets so replaced them, but let’s say $50-$100 for magnas plus tax so $525 all in. That is a pretty low price. I personally would want to be under $700 for a really nice shooter, so my range is $550-$650 for yours. That is just one opinion, there are many smarter folks than me here. Your location could swing the value a few hundred bucks.

UPDATE: just checked a local gunshop with a bunch of S&W’s. Found a nice 15-4 at $685 and a really pristine 15-3 @ $785. I expect the guy would give ~10% off, which covers tax anyway. So a bit more than my ranges above. Good luck.

 

[got2hav1]

Here is my 6" from '54.

 

[got2hav1]

Some better photos with the period correct Targets. Target hammer and trigger. Small blue box.

 

[bobsguns]

The screw in front of the trigger guard, what does it do?

I would think that would draw better than $600, IMO. But, I've been wrong before.

 

[wheelgun610]

The screw in front of the trigger guard, what does it do?

It's the access point for the cylinder stop spring and plunger.

 

[Matt_X]

I'd be very surprised if that turns out to be direct purchase by the NPS, DOI, or a park. Could have been different in that area or region, but what I can tell, and later saw, the NPS bought basic stuff - like model 10s, and the story always was - back in the earlier days the parks had surplus or transfered guns from the military. Revolvers my park had got pretty beat up with the +P+ loads - once FLETC commissioned protection Rangers became the norm - that I saw myself.

Not to disuade you from investigating. It would be cool to learn if it was a government purchase. Just thought it best not to have your expectations too high unless you have additional insight from the people there.

 

[DARE]

The widow told me he had to buy his own gun, so not sold to NPS. She did say he carried a gun at work so this was probably his duty gun.