K38 & K22 Masterpiece

[Kfan]

Goodday!
I am new to this forum and would like confirmation on a K38 that I have. It is Serial # K311XXX (1957 ?) , has 4 screws , but no model number. Is it correct that this is a somewhat scarce transitional model or is that another Internet urban legend ? A K22 (Serial # K216XXX 1954 (?)) just came up for sale at our local gun shop. I brought it home this morning! (Correct grips will follow when I find a set)!
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[mkk41]

And I have a 4-screw 14-2 serial numbered to 1961. A 14-2 should be a 3-screw.

Manufacture date does not always mean ship date.

From how I understand it , frames were made , serial numbered and warehoused and used as needed. Sounds like they didn't necessarily rotate their stock of frames , use up all the oldest stock first. Since model numbers started to be used in the 57-58 timeframe , it's likely that many frames , including yours was already made when model numbering began.

 

[linde]

. . . would like confirmation on a K38 that I have . . . Serial # K311XXX (1957 ?) , has 4 screws , but no model number. Is it correct that this is a somewhat scarce transitional model or is that another Internet urban legend ?

A K311XXX would be late-1957 (possibly early-1958) ship . . . would be a 4 screw . . . and could very well be pre-model marked. The 4-screw and non-model marked combination lasted about three years . . . from roughly 1955 until 1958 . . . not exactly scarce . . . but a fine revolver.

Enjoy . . . and welcome to the Forum.

Russ

 

[Green Frog]

Both very desirable K-frame target models. If you want to experience frustration, try to complete the triumvirate with the elusive K-32... I've been looking for years to do just that. Meanwhile, have a ball with the two you have found, arguably a couple of the finest shooting S&Ws ever made. I'm going to guess that the original grips on the K-22 were the "Magna" type (with large diamonds in the center, of course.)

Regards & Congrats,
Froggie

 

[DWalt]

Look around on eBay for grips for the K22 - Magnas should have diamonds around the screw holes. I once had an early 1950s K22 with Magnas. Keep the rubber grips for shooting. They are better than Magnas.

K210,096 – K231,255...1954
K288,989 – K317,822...1957

 

[tlay]

Nice guns! More than likely both of them came with K frame diamond magnas. But they are easier to shoot for most people with the targets. Unless you are trying to make your "collection" better use whatever you shoot the best with. After all they are for shooting not looking at.

 

[Kfan]

To Green Frog

A K32 would be nice , but here in the Great White North any 25 or 32 caliber handgun is prohibited , unless you are grandfathered in having owned one prior to the Canada Firearms Act. We could be only one election away from losing all our handguns.

Kfan

 

[824tsv]

Nice looking pair Kfan,
Welcome to the Forum from the GTA.
On your 4 screw K38 do those target stocks have the "football" cut out on the left stock?

 

[Kfan]

K38 stocks

Yes. The LH stock has the football cut.
Kfan

 

[jsfricks]

We could be only one election away from losing all our handguns.

Kfan

We're in the same boat.

 

[Retired W4]

That's a really nice pair, Kfan. It would be great if your K38 shipped with the targets, though I don't know if they were available then. The original box or a factory letter would tell the story. For me the letter would be worth it.

 

[Kfan]

Grips

The grips that were on the K38 when I acquired it were incorrect for the gun and had been notched out for use with a speedloader. I found the target grips on Ebay. It would be interesting to know how it left the factory.

 

[Retired W4]

I have a K22 (18-2) that letters with targets (mid 1960's), but that was a couple decades later than yours. Regardless, the targets look good on your .38. I have been on the look out for a companion for my K22's (pre-17) for a while. The one 22 has SN: K 283750. Had a K 32 in my hands a couple weeks ago but it sold to another member.