New addition and a question...

[Oldbird13]

Recently won an auction for a S & W "Pre 15 K-38 Combat Masterpiece .38 Revolver" as they stated in the auction. 4" barrel made in 1950. "Comes in its factory gold box with matching model/barrel length".

My question is this the actual box it came in? This box looks different than another Combat Masterpiece I own. Different labels on opposite ends. Could not make out any numbers, if there ever were any, on the bottom of the box. Thanks

 

[Oldbird13]

Part II more photos

Additional photos for Combat Masterpiece

 

[TJm15.38]

Looks like you acquired a really nice Combat Masterpiece. I'll defer to the forum experts on the box, but it appears period correct.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

First off, it's not a pre 15. It's a .38 Combat Masterpiece, and yes that is a period correct box. The serial number should be written on the bottom of the box in grease pencil. The end labels are also correct.

 

[RKmesa]

Box is the standard box that they shipped 38 Combat Masterpieces in, marked the standard way they marked such boxes. It looks like there is a faded grease pencil serial number on one end of the the bottom - which is where S&W SN'd the box.

If you can make out the SN on the left end of the above photo and it agrees with the SN on your gun, it is likely THE exact box it shipped in.

Congrats on a great package!!! Don is correct in the exact terminology, but to confirm what you probably already know, when the "38 Combat Masterpiece" was designated model numbers in 1957, "Model 15" was the number assigned to the "38 Combat Masterpiece" - still a "38 Combat Masterpiece" but also a "Model 15" from that point forward - hence the reason that many in the S&W world refer to your gun as a "Pre-15".

 

[Oldbird13]

Thank you Gentlemen. I typed what the auction had labeled it. I also read the recent posts regarding the "Pre" descriptions whether they are correct or not. I also saw that the Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson said "Pre 15".

 

[Oldbird13]

I will examine the bottom of the box again to see if any numbers are distinguishable.

 

[Narragansett]

Over time the grease pencil fades. I have a box for a 38/44 outdoorsman that had the serial number faintly visible when I got the gun. Can't see it anymore. I know it is the right box, but cannot prove it

 

[JP@AK]

A very nice acquisition. Everything looks correct and the gun itself is in fine condition.

As you can see from the fact that I "liked" both Don's and Richard's posts, I completely agree with their responses. At that time, S&W did not have special gold boxes for the 4" .38 Combat Masterpiece, so they simply used K-38 Masterpiece boxes and added a paper label to one end.

 

[Oldbird13]

Thank you Jack sir...was hoping for a definitive answer/statement regarding the box.

 

[T44spl]

That's a Great package, gun looks 99-100%. No high edge wear or muzzle wear. I would like to suggest taking good digital pictures, Not cell phone pictures, blow those images up to see if any latent images of the grease pencil markings of your serial number on the bottom of the box.
Hopefully they will match. That would be your only proof of a matching sn if it fades into oblivion.
I'm sure people who specialize in art restoration or a museum curator may be able to suggest ways to raise that grease pencil marking without damaging things. Good Luck.

 

[45Smashemflat]

Still one of the coolest names for a revolver, ever…

 

[Oldbird13]

Good news and not so good. After T44spl suggested a digital photo, I went and retrieved the box. Funny how holding it just the right way under light at an angle and grease pencil numbers (some of them) appeared. Not the matching box that came with the gun. I saw some numbers on the box that were not on the gun so case closed. As I posted in the original post, the auction stated "comes in its factory gold box". Maybe I was hopeful but that sounded like "its" box not anothers'. Still very pleased with the gun! Thanks for all the input you gentlemen provided.

 

[MarkHayden]

Hi, Oldbird13. I found a Combat Masterpiece in a gold 6” box with same label applied to the end of the box. See page 170 of the SCSW for more info.

 

[raljr1]

Since the pictures are upside down, it's only worth $250. I am feeling magnanimous and will give you $300.

Very nice. You will love owning that.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Really a great looking 99% revolver. All previous owners took great care with it. 74 years old is unbelievable.

 

[Oldbird13]

Since the pictures are upside down, it's only worth $250. I am feeling magnanimous and will give you $300.

Very nice. You will love owning that.

Please provide your address so I can ship the gun to you. Thanks, it should arrive around 4/01/2025.