Pre 14 or pre 15? Can’t tell!

[-BTM-]

I bought this as a donor for a project, now I'm kinda wanting to leave it as is. It sure is purdy.

It was advertised as a "model 14 or 15". It came with an extra what looks like a well used Combat Masterpiece barrel, and the only mark on the frame is right by the barrel pin- like a punch slipped.

TTTHTS, Serial #K 290xxx. I'd love to know how it left the factory!

 

[JP@AK]

It is difficult to be certain from your pictures, but it appears to be a K-38 Masterpiece, not a Combat Masterpiece. The critical point is the top of the frame, where it mates with the barrel. A closeup photo of that location would be definitive.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

That looks like an 8-3/8" barrel mounted if my eye calibration is working. The SN of the frame indicates a 1957 manufacture date. The 8-3/8" barrel was introduced in 1959. Does the barrel serial match the frame? Does the 4" barrel serial match the frame? Just speculating, it appears the 8-3/8" barrel was a replacement, perhaps for the 4". That may be why there is a tool gouge on the frame.

 

[RKmesa]

I bought this as a donor for a project, now I'm kinda wanting to leave it as is. It sure is purdy.

Yup - I stopped you at "...wanting to leave it as is. It sure is purdy..." It is beautiful as is - Target hammer, target trigger, target 8 3/8" barrel - all it needs is some nice diamond target grips.

Congrats!

 

[DV0]

Hi neighbor, that looks quite nice for a project. More of a keeper than donor in my book.
The only difference between the 14 and 15 is 6" or 4" barrels I believe. If neither one that you have there is original then only a letter could definitely tell. Not a big enough difference to me as it's a k38 regardless.

 

[Truckman]

I'd love to know how it left the factory!

Letter it for the definitive answer......Ben

 

[murphydog]

Based on the frame contours near the barrel and the production date, this one almost certainly started out life as a 6" K-38 Masterpiece that had an 8 3/8" swapped in. The 4" .38 Combat Masterpiece barrel is a decoy.

Here is the link to order a letter if you are interested:

Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

 

[-BTM-]

Thanks everyone. These pics were from a brief inspection at the FFL, I'll know more once my hands stop shaking and I pick it up.

 

[Engine49guy]

As others have stated the squared frame front edges are the key that it shipped with the wide rib or "Heavy Masterpiece" barrel.

The other clue is the frame top should be bead blasted on either side of the sight leaf where the narrow rib guns were polished.

Prior to the introduction of the Heavy Masterpiece in 1950 the 4" and 6" used the same frames, the narrow rib K38 was also still available until around 1954.

On a side note it is interesting that they didnt just cut the " Heavy Masterpiece barrel to 4" so the 14 and 15 would have the same frame, this actually did happen eventually but not until the 15-5 revision.
Btw 4" and 5" inch model 14's do exist but are highly coveted by collectors.