K38 Masterpiece info

[pdgoutdoors]

I was hoping y'all could give me some info on my "new" K38 that I got in a trade at a gun show last weekend. I believe it is a Target Masterpiece made in 1952, but I am not 100%. It is a 5 screw, 6" barrel K frame with no serial or model inside of the yoke and sports a target trigger, hammer, and stocks. Any history or info would be appreciated. Serial number K178XXX is located on the bottom of the barrel and on the grip frame.

 

[JP@AK]

It is a K-38 Masterpiece ("Target" was never part of the name) that very likely left the factory in 1953.

Are you sure it has a target trigger? I blew up the photos and it looks like the standard width trigger to me (which is what we would expect in 1953).

The target stocks are not original. The extractor relief didn't show up until at least 1955, IIRC. This unit most likely shipped with Magna stocks.

 

[pdgoutdoors]

It is a K-38 Masterpiece ("Target" was never part of the name) that very likely left the factory in 1953.

Are you sure it has a target trigger? I blew up the photos and it looks like the standard width trigger to me (which is what we would expect in 1953).

The target stocks are not original. The extractor relief didn't show up until at least 1955, IIRC. This unit most likely shipped with Magna stocks.

I could for sure be wrong. It is a grooved trigger, which I maybe mistakenly assumed was a target trigger versus the smooth combat trigger.

 

[JP@AK]

The grooves aren't the issue. The standard trigger for the K-38 was grooved but narrow. Target triggers were wider.

 

[weatherby]

It probably came with magnas as Jack said but those GA targets are a huge bonus as far as I'm concerned.

 

[JP@AK]

There is a very good chance those GA target stocks were originally on a Combat Magnum.

 

[sophie]

Nice gun and congratulations on the purchase.
Like JP@AK said in the above post, the trigger looks like the standard trigger, narrow with grooves, instead of the .500" wide target trigger with grooves.
At any rate, that's a fine looking gun.

 

[Gun Relics]

There is a very good chance those GA target stocks were originally on a Combat Magnum.

And they are really nice ones too.

 

[SW1911PC]

I was hoping y'all could give me some info on my "new" K38 that I got in a trade at a gun show last weekend.

Nice looking revolver ... and those grip stocks are beautiful!

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice revolver
Only thing I'd add is that there were two 6" versions available in 1952 the earlier narrow rib version aka the 6" K38 Masterpiece and the weight matched wide rib version (like yours) aka the 6" K38 "Heavy" Masterpiece.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Nice acquisition. I have recently got my second one, a "Heavy" (wide rib, from maybe 1949 or 1950) to go with my earlier (1948) narrow rib. They both shoot great. I fully expect yours will as well. Congrats.

 

[RKmesa]

I did have a 5-screw K-38 Masterpiece (K140802 that shipped in May 1952). It came configured like your gun in an oversized box with this label...









The only difference was that my gun came with Walnut non-relieved target stocks, rather than the GA relieved stocks on your gun (which are probably a bit too new for that gun).

Great looking gun - Congrats!!

Thanks for sharing,

 

[Gun Relics]

This one shipped in 1952 with this original box. RKmesa's box was probably used because it shipped with target stocks (the target's won't fit in my gold box).

 

[hkcavalier]

They are great guns. I have a '53 "Heavy" with non-relieved targets that I swapped for the serialized magnas, and a '48 narrow rib that picked up Sanderson thumbrest stocks somewhere in its life.