Model 14 or K-38 Target Masterpiece, or Both, or Neither

[JPownall]

I have an S&W 14-3 with target stocks, target hammer, and target trigger. The Blue Book of Gun Values lists it as a "Model 14 (K-38 Target Masterpiece)". I assume this was meant to indicate that the gun was an K-38 Masterpiece but now with a new name, and no longer called the K-38....

I also have an S&W 14-4 with target stocks, service hammer, and service trigger. The only other listing in the Blue Book for the Model 14 beside the one I mentioned above are:
1) "Model 14 K-38 Full-Lug"
2) "Model 14 Classic".

My 14-4 is neither. So, is my 14-4 is a "Model 14 (K-38 Target Masterpiece)"even though it has service hammer and trigger?

If so, what makes a Model 14 (K-38 Target Masterpiece) a TARGET Masterpiece.

If not, what is it?

 

[USBP SW]

All of the model 14's are considered k-38's. Before model numbers, the k-38 was its designation. Basically, a k-frame target revolver. The dash in the model number shows the engineering changes. Target Masterpiece was mostly advertising but indicated a longer barrel, heavy framed revolver.

 

[JPownall]

Thanks, USBP SW,

So my Model 14-4 (K-38 Target Masterpiece) is a Target Masterpiece even though it has service hammer and trigger?

 

[USBP SW]

Yes, and as I recall the full lug referred to the 14-5 and 14-6, maybe more but they had an under barrel lug, similar to the model 586 and Colt Python.

 

[JP@AK]

So my Model 14-4 (K-38 Target Masterpiece) is a Target Masterpiece even though it has service hammer and trigger?

Well, not exactly.

First, there never was such a thing as a K-38 Target Masterpiece. "Target" was never part of the name, no matter what your Blue Book says. S&W called it the K-38 Masterpiece.

In 1958, when model marked guns hit the market, The K-38 Masterpiece became the Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece. The model number was added to the name; the name was not discontinued.

The Model 14-4 was the end of the line for the original K-38 Masterpiece line, as of 1982. In 1991, the Model 14 was reintroduced (now as the 14-5), but it was different in several ways, with the full lug version introduced the following year. Nevertheless, it was still called the K-38 Masterpiece.

As for target accessories, they are irrelevant to the name. When the K-38 was first introduced, target stocks, target hammers and target triggers were not even availabe. Those came along in the 1950s.

 

[murphydog]

The K-38 Masterpiece gained the model 14 designation in about 1958, so you can use one or the other name. Model 14 is easier.

Before model numbers, a K-38 Masterpiece that had the wide Target hammer and trigger would have a an extra "Target" sticker put on the end label. This is thought to be the source of the addition to the name, but the factory never referred to it as a "K-38 'Target' Masterpiece".

 

[GSP Fan]

I have a pre model 14 so call it a K38, K38 target masterpiece, K38 target whatever I love it. IIRC it dates to 1952 and came with magna stocks, service trigger and hammer. I added smooth target stocks and it's one of my favorite Smith's.

 

[JPownall]

Thanks to you all. You are founts of knowledge.

 

[USBP SW]

Well, not exactly.

First, there never was such a thing as a K-38 Target Masterpiece. "Target" was never part of the name, no matter what your Blue Book says. S&W called it the K-38 Masterpiece.


The "Target" portion of the name may be in reference to the side of box, which shows: SMITH & WESSON K-38 MASTERPIECE TARGET REVOLVER. Early fifties gold box.
Additionally, this particular K-38 has the target hammer but the only reference to this option was on the original sales receipt as "large hammer", there is no reference on the box. The original sales receipt was dated May 31, 1950 from Klein's Sporting Goods, Chicago, Illinois.

 

[JP@AK]

The "Target" portion of the name may be in reference to the side of box, which shows: SMITH & WESSON K-38 MASTERPIECE TARGET REVOLVER. Early fifties gold box.

Yes. Beginning with the gold box in the late 1940s, the box said "Target Revolver" on the side. But the name of the revolver stated on the top and the end was K-38 Masterpiece. The name in the All Model Circular and the catalog was always K-38 Masterpiece.

Once the wide rib version came out in the early 1950s, the new blue box had K-38 Heavy Masterpiece on the end label. That lasted into the mid-1950s, but eventually was dropped, since the tapered barrel wasn't used after about 1952.

In the first three editions of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, by Supica and Nahas, the name given is "K-38 Target Masterpiece." But that got fixed in the 4th Edition.

Simply put, there is no evidence whatsoever that S&W ever called the K-38 a "Target Masterpiece." All the evidence is in the other direction. The same is true for the K-22 and K-32.

 

[Targets Guy]

They are pretty easy to tell apart.

A K-38 (from 1951)


A Model 14-3 (from 1969)

 

[JP@AK]

Here is a picture of a few of them in my collection.
Top to bottom:
K-38 Heavy Masterpiece four screw (1956)
Model 14-2 K-38 Masterpiece (1967) stocks from 1930s
Model 14-3 K-38 Masterpiece (1971)
Model 14-3 K-38 Masterpiece SAO (1973)
Model 14-3 K-38 Masterpiece SAO (1973)
Model 14-4 K-38 Masterpiece (1977)
Model 14-4 K-38 Masterpiece (1980)

K-38 Masterpiece, tapered barrel, narrow rib five screw (1949)