Newbie that needs help

[SPIKE THE CAT]

Need help with year and model of a pistol. It is a blued 6-shot, adjustable rear sight, 4 inch barrel, .38 special. It has a square butt. Serial number on butt - K 273030. Same number on rear of cylinder and under barrel. Stamped inside of cylinder tang - L then under that - 46637 and below that - 7. It is in good condition, Hogue monogrip, some holster wear. But it shoots great. I'm not selling it ( paid $240.00 at scheels )but just would like some more info on the gun if I ever need parts or want to upgrade something. Please can anyone help ?

 

[murphydog]

Welcome to the Forum. You have a .38 Combat Masterpiece with a 1956 ship (K 273000) date. The other letters and numbers are factory internal codes.

It should have 4 screws on the sideplate (one under the grip panel) and 1 at the front base of the trigger guard, a so-called 5 screw gun. After 1957 it was named the model 15. Many of the parts that fit the model 15 will fit your gun also. Hope this is helpful.

 

[310Pilot]

The serial number indicates it was made in 1956, you can call S&W to confirm. From your description, it is a Combat Masterpiece (4" barrel K-38). They are really nice guns, accurate, smooth and great shooters. Many would call it a"pre-15," as that model became the Model 15 when S&W went to model numbers in 1958. Too bad it has those rubber grips, it originally came with diamond Magnas, but they are not hard to find, especially in the for sale section of this forum, should you desire to go that way. Great price, btw! Enjoy your new gun, and welcome to the forum. Oh yeah, S&W recommends no +P ammo in non-model number guns (such as yours). If you do a search here, you will find both agreement and disagreement with that recommendation, just put it out there for your consideration.

 

[SPIKE THE CAT]

Yes - it has 3 screws on the right side plate, 1 in the forward trigger guard and 1 in inside lower hand grip. Does that make it a model 15- ? Or just a 5 - screw in 1956 ? Sorry I don't know that much.

 

[alaskavett]

Spike, It is referred to as a Pre-15. Many here prefer the non model marked guns to the model marked ones. Nice find and a awesome buy!!
Kyle

 

[SPIKE THE CAT]

Thanks to all that responded. Now I know that I have a pre-15 Combat Masterpiece birth date 1956. Thanks for all the help. Are there any upgrades that I can do to it or get for it ? Where do I start looking ?

 

[murphydog]

A different set of stocks, originals as 310Pilot mentioned or custom ones. You can swap the hammer and trigger (the narrow ones are called "service", and the wider ones "Target"), but personally I would leave the original ones on it. Best thing to invest in it would be lots of ammo and shooting .

 

[fyimo]

I agree that I would leave it completely stock except maybe buying a pair of S&W target grips for shooting and keep the orginal grips in case you ever decide to sell it.