Letter

[jsgwoodsman]

Hello all, frequent lurker - infrequent poster.

I have (I believe) a K-38 Masterpiece made in 1950.

The question I have is whether anyone has seen or knows about stamps similar to the one at the top of this pistols blackstrap?

I thumbed through my s&w book but turned up nothing.

I suspect it’s an isolated/irrelevant stock or range number…
But figured I should ask those more knowledgeable.

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun. Unless there are other stampings that might indicate its origin, the 35 is likely a law enforcement agency inventory or rack number. Neatly applied but probably not at the factory.

Someone here may have a similar gun and may comment further.

 

[JP@AK]

The person who put it there knows, assuming he's still alive. But whatever it is, it wasn't put there by the factory.

As for this K-38 being from 1950 . . . if so, the trigger is not original. What is the serial number on this gem? K something.

 

[jsgwoodsman]

You folks are fast!
The serial number is k93xxx
I don’t remember off hand and don’t have it handy but know it’s in the 93 thousands with a k prefix.

 

[dnater]

The base of the front sight appears longer than what I'm used to seeing on K-38's.

 

[JP@AK]

You folks are fast!
The serial number is k93xxx

Probably assembled in 1950; shipping was likely in late 1950 or early 1951, based on comparable numbers on my list of ship dates.

Too early for that trigger.

 

[SS336]

Very nice old K-38, rack# or not.

 

[jsgwoodsman]

I haven’t seen other k-38 masterpieces with the same front sight mine has… I’m starting to wonder if what I have is even a k-38?

 

[rct269]

Your sight blade base is longer than mine---suggesting either they were out short bases when yours came down the line; or on the other hand, out of long bases when mine came along. Then again, yours may be a special order calling for more weight out front to correct the imbalance caused by your target trigger. A letter will tell the tale.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[hivel37]

Appears to be a shrouded barrel; if so, not original
for a K-38.

 

[JP@AK]

Appears to be a shrouded barrel

I don't see a shrouded barrel. Looks like a normal K-38 Heavy Masterpiece with an odd ramp under the Patridge sight and an added target trigger.

 

[jjfitch]

While on the subject of the front sight it also looks a little higher than standard. My PPC Distinguished K38 has a tall front sight for neck hold at 50 yards.

Have you shot it with the rear sight in the lowered position? It might be set up for 148 grain target loads?

Smiles,

 

[hivel37]

I don't see a shrouded barrel. Looks like a normal K-38 Heavy Masterpiece with an odd ramp under the Patridge sight and an added target trigger.

I took a longer look. You’re right, Jack.

 

[jsgwoodsman]

Thanks to all that have responded so far. I’ve never sent for a letter on a Smith and Wesson but have for Winchesters and Marlins. Is the process (time turn around, cost, results expectation) similar?

 

[s&wchad]

I believe a letter is $100 these days. Not sure about the turnaround time. It may show as shipping to a PD, but I doubt it will add $100 to the value.

The longer sight base probably won’t be listed. I did notice that the finish on the barrel looks duller than the frame and cylinder. Check the barrel flat (above the ejector rod and see if the serial stamped there matches the butt and back of the cylinder. You’ll probably also see a “B” stamped there (blued). A diamond “<>” indicated factory service. You might also check the right side of the grip frame for a rework date. It’s typically stamped near the bottom of the frontstrap and would look something like 5.60 (May, 1960).

 

[glowe]

Probably assembled in 1950; shipping was likely in late 1950 or early 1951 . . .

Right on the money. I have a 102,XXX that shipped in January 1951. That front ramp is interesting, but I do not believe that style or shape has ever been found on a factory Masterpiece, even from later guns?? Even the longer base found on Combat Masterpiece revolvers have a different shape than yours.

Personally, I would get a letter on the gun. It may state that is was part of a police department shipment, or sent to a target shooter of some prominence, or even a special order.

 

[jsgwoodsman]

The top of the barrel and frame is grooved. The grooves start on the rear sight and extent/flow along the barrel and into the sight base. The finish on both sides of the grooves on the top of the barrel is matted.

 

[jsgwoodsman]

Also, thanks for the responses about the factory letter. It would be interesting to find out that it was a specific or special order. I’ll check later tonight regarding the stampings and serial numbers - thanks for that tip!

 

[SS336]

Who ever did that front sight, it sure looks factory. Sure would be interesting to find out who did it.

 

[JP@AK]

Given that it is a postwar revolver, I would be very surprised if you find a B (for blue finish) on the barrel flat.

But, as Chad mentioned, you may find a Service Department date on the left side of the grip frame. And the diamond replacement stamp could be present as well.

 

[handejector]

Neat Gun.
That red bead is a rarely seen option that S&W did offer, but I do not think they ever cataloged it.

LOOK for service marks, and if there aren't any, the gun is definitely worth a letter.

 

[BigBill]

K38 Target masterpiece 6” barrel?

 

[handejector]

and, Yes, it is a K-38.
I forgot to mention that the standard finish when it was built was a satin blue.
If that Bright Blue is the original finish, you should find a large "B" on the barrel flat like this-

 

[Doc44]

I may be way off base, but the ramp base appears to be forged with the barrel rather than pinned to the barrel with two pins. The ampersand in Smith & Wesson is also the modern, upright style. This leads me to believe the barrel is much newer than the rest of the revolver.

Bill

 

[handejector]

Bill,
I had the same thoughts on the ramp. I suspect it will show service marks.

 

[jsgwoodsman]

Stamps

There is an upside down “L” on the right/rear/bottom corner of the right grip frame. Otherwise there are no other marks under the grips. There is also no marks whatsoever on the barrel flat but I have noticed the contour of the barrel and barrel flat is much different (seems heavier/thicker) than handejector’s photo. Were the barrel flats always stamped?

Also, no markings at all on the ramp or front sight.

 

[JP@AK]

jsgwoodsman
At the time your revolver was made, S&W was still stamping the serial number on the barrel flat.

I think the only thing we can conclude from what we now know is that this revolver has had some work done on it by a gunsmith outside the factory. The barrel is a replacement and probably much newer than the frame. That would also help explain the front sight ramp and the unusual barrel profile that others have noted. I'm fairly confident that the target trigger was also installed at the time the barrel was replaced.

I can't recall if anyone brought this up, but is the serial number present on the rear face of the cylinder?

 

[jsgwoodsman]

The full (matching) serial number along with a “K” is stamped into the he rear face of the cylinder.

 

[handejector]

That pretty well solves it.
It is possible the Factory did all the work in more recent times after they quit applying service marks, but the gun is definitely rebarreled.

 

[jsgwoodsman]

Do all s&w barrels have grooves of this style that match the rear sight and top strap of the frame?