need some help - vintage K 38 nomenclature and date

[cmansguns]

Hello Forum, I am way out of town and away from all my gun stuff for a week but wouldn't you know it...a chance stop in a off the path small town pawn shop to check on a guitar in the window and dang there is a K 38 6" blue 3T's sitting in the case at a decent price. I took some pics, some cash got me a hold on it till Monday, the guy will honor my C&R, no tax, no 4473....just out the door. It has been there a long while and I think negotiable a little further.

I told him it is definitely C&R as there is no model number in the yoke and S & W started model numbers in 1957, so clearly earlier than that. He is OK with that for C&R transfer but I'd like to know more from you folks that have your 5th edition of SCSW close at hand. The serial number is K 92692, numbers match on cylinder and barrel flat. Will pull grips to check butt but assume match. Big wide checkered target hammer, serrated trigger, diamond checkered walnut grips, square notch adjustable rear, Patridge ramp front. 6" barrel, bluing loss on high spots and both sides of barrel towards muzzle. Action locks up tight, no end play, no push-off, bore is crisp and shiny.

Questions: I'm guessing 1951 shipment, maybe earlier, would one of you with SCSW close-by just let me know what it shows for that serial number assignment year?

More questions are about the correct nomenclature and accessories. Would this be known as a K 38 Masterpiece as the K 22 Masterpiece of the post WWII times are known? I believe they were sold in those days as very close in weight for target shooters. What is the correct box? I have a blue/silver two piece but it is Bangor Punta and labeled for a Model 14 so not period correct. What tools would a K 38 have shipped with? What would be the proper dated instruction manual or parts list?

Thanks in advance for your help with this gun. I'm pretty much a sucker for these old diamond grip wheel guns and I will probably take a flyer on this one on Monday when the guy opens again, but would appreciate any further id help I can get.

Cell phone pics below

 

[Truckman]

Oooh!...Unrelieved targets!...If original to the gun, wouldn't that put it closer to 1954?...Just guessing, I'll look it up later......Ben

 

[Wiregrassguy]

From the K frame database, I'm seeing serials around that shipping mid-1950. It was called the K-38 Masterpiece and shipped in a gold box with a black 8 or 9 row knurled SAT, cleaning tools and paperwork. The non-relieved targets were not standard and likely were made later. Would have shipped with sharp-shouldered magnas, probably.

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. It is a K-38 Masterpiece, but at that time it would have been called a K-38 Heavy Masterpiece because of the barrel profile. It probably shipped late in the year 1950. K93203 is also K-38 Heavy Masterpiece, probably from the same production run as the one you found.

The target hammer is probably original, since they became available in 1950. The same is true of the non-relieved target stocks.

Your Bangor Punta box is much later, not earlier than 1965. The revolver you are looking at would have shipped with a gold box, a Helpful Hints brochure, cleaning tools and a Sight Adjustment Tool (small screwdriver).

The unit looks good. I'd be a buyer if I were you.

 

[glowe]

Almost certainly a 1950 ship year. The Heavy Masterpiece was introduced in in 1949 -K76XXX sn range, but narrow rib barrels were shipped all the way into 1953 - K157XXX sn range. Your revolver does have a heavy barrel that matches the weight of the K 22 Masterpiece revolver. Target hammer and stocks that were first introduced in January 1950. I have no notes on when the target trigger was introduced, but your gun does not have the third "T".

 

[Goony]

If it were to letter as having been shipped with those target stocks, that would make it pretty special.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

Nice find.