Nickel K38 Target Masterpiece Rare?

[bwade]

I just picked this nickel k38 up, it was produced in 1950 and does not have the "B" under the grips, it does have a "H" and a "6". All Numbers match on this gun including the grips and it has about 95% finish. I am in it at $575 OTD. I have not ever seen a nickel one in person, are they rare?

bwade

 

[GF]

Is there an "N" on the cylinder?

GF

 

[H Richard]

That's a beauty! I have never seen a nickle K38. I'll be watching to see what the experts say. My guess is that very few K38's were nickle as it is a working target gun, and being a bullseye shooter, I don't think any bullseye shooter would want the shiny reflections of a nickle gun as a distraction when shooting.

 

[bwade]

Just a "K" and the serial number. No "N" or "B" anywhere on the gun.

 

[murphydog]

It has the black sights and case-colored hammer and trigger like a gun with an original finish. The stocks (if matching) and the trigger seem more worn than the nickel, but if it is a refinish someone did a good job. Nickel K-38s are rare, so maybe this one is worth a history letter to see if it was a special order.

 

[tcc]

Very common around here, I've seen 4-5 of them at WalMart recently. I'll give ya $600 for it!

BTW, that's a great looking Smith and I'm also looking forward to what the experts say.
T

 

[bwade]

The stocks are original, I took the side plate off and the nickel looked typical for the underside of the side plate and the insides have nickel where my other guns do. There is some corrosion under the stocks that has went through the nickel. It does appear to have a slight mark near the pinned front side that could indicate a removal of the sight for a refinish? All numbers do match including extractor star and assembly number under the side plate. The top of the gun is matte nickel too. I did put Mothers Mag Polish on the nickel to brighten it up before the pics.

 

[roadhog96]

U

I just picked this nickle k38 up, it was produced in 1950 and does not have the "B" under the grips, it does have a "H" and a "6". All Numbers match on this gun including the grips and it has about 95% finish. I am in it at $575 OTD. I have not ever seen a nickle one in person, are they rare?

bwade

Do nickel K-38 stand up by themselves when you take a picture? I can't do that with my Blued K-38.

 

[bwade]

A trick I found on this Forum that I use since I do not have a Display Rod, another member advised he used a shortened Q-Tip wedged at the forcing cone. Works pretty well and I did not spend $25 for the rod, yet...

 

[mikepriwer]

The production of blue guns was/is greater than the production of
nickel. I don't think of them as being rare - maybe scarce, but not
rare.

Mike Priwer

 

[DCWilson]

I want to believe that this is an original nickel finish because that would be just too cool for words. But I'm afraid it may be a refinish because when I enlarge the heck out of the photos I think I see some surface irregularities under the nickel. If it is a refinish, it is a pretty good job, and one that observes the factory protocol on parts to leave un-nickeled.

If that gun were mine, I would have to letter it to answer the question. "I got to know."

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I had a nickeled K-38 in 1965. It was a "Re-finish".

 

[bwade]

Here are three better close ups, this is the only thing I can find that appears it could be under the nickel and it may be nickel flaking. The other side's engraving looks very clean. Here is the top of the cylinder and extractor star. There is oil on it with these pictures and they are pre-polish.

 

[Art Doc]

First of all nickel is not spelled nickle.

As far as I know nickel K38 Masterpieces were special order only. Mike is far, far more knowledgeable than I on S&Ws but his comment about them not being rare baffles me. I would think they would be extremely rare.

To me it doesn't have an obvious appearance of a refinish but in my heart I know the odds on it being original are very, very small. I hope I'm wrong in which case you stole it. But I would not touch such a piece without the letter to prove its originality. I think the nickel guns have an N stamped on the frame under the left stock and on the rear of the cylinder. Mine all do.

Good luck.

 

[CJS57]

If original it is not rare! It is extremely rare! (for a K-38). Nickel S&W's in other models are common.

 

[bwade]

Somebody somewhere should have one of these to compare to this one. Unless it is extremely rare, somebody should be able to post pictures of one on here and how it is stamped. I have seen Combat Masterpieces that were nickel and engraved, but i don't remember if they were factory or not. So far, I lean toward thinking it would be a refinish due to not ever seeing another one finished in nickel. If it is a refinish, someone spent some time with it.

How about those pictures of other nickel k38s Combats and Targets?

 

[29aholic]

You asked

Somebody somewhere should have one of these to compare to this one. Unless it is extremely rare, somebody should be able to post pictures of one on here and how it is stamped. I have seen Combat Masterpieces that were nickel and engraved, but i don't remember if they were factory or not. So far, I lean toward thinking it would be a refinish due to not ever seeing another one finished in nickel. If it is a refinish, someone spent some time with it.

How about those pictures of other nickel k38s Combats and Targets?

This one is factory. It has an "N" with the serial number on the barrel flat.

 

[Art Doc]

The Combat Masterpiece was available in nickel, it's the target version that was not generally offered in nickel.

 

[linde]

The Combat Masterpiece was available in nickel, it's the target version that was not generally offered in nickel.

By "target version" I assume you are referring to the 6" Masterpiece . . . sometimes referred to as the "Target Masterpiece".

It's my understanding the 6" Masterpiece was catalogued with a blue finish. I would also believe that a nickel finish could be had on special order.

Russ

 

[roaddog28]

I want to believe that this is an original nickel finish because that would be just too cool for words. But I'm afraid it may be a refinish because when I enlarge the heck out of the photos I think I see some surface irregularities under the nickel. If it is a refinish, it is a pretty good job, and one that observes the factory protocol on parts to leave un-nickeled.

If that gun were mine, I would have to letter it to answer the question. "I got to know."

I agree, spend the money and get a letter. Great looking revolver.
Howard