Pre M14 K-38 Masterpiece values

[JMusic]

Yes the grips should have the diamond in the grip. I have a 22 target masterpice made in 1947. 85% it is my shooter. I have seen the grips sell for over $100.

 

[Edward L]

For Edward L. The grips on that K38 do not appear to be original. Are they numbered to the gun? Shouldn't they have diamond centers? Thanks, Big Larry

Big L,

I looked at many photos. I think you are correct. All the numbers match otherwise but at some point I assume the owner had other more comfortable grips on it and tossed the originals. Then another owner found some newer S&W grips and placed them on. Beside the grips all else looks good. Being that I am not a collector, that doesn't bother me, especially considering what I have $ into it. I'm a happy camper.

 

[jaketurtle]

Russ,

I love your K38 pics... It looks as good as the one I have. Which is K45301 What are the odds of that...???
-Matt

 

[linde]

Russ,

I love your K38 pics... It looks as good as the one I have. Which is K45301 What are the odds of that...???
-Matt

That's really neat! The odds of finding consecutive serial numbers is slim enough, but being the same model in the same condition gets pretty remote. We'll have to plan a reunion for them!

Congratulations and welcome to the Forum,

Russ

 

[38ctg]

pre-model 14 k38 target masterpiece

Just purchased this last week. I shot it today. What a sweet gun and very accurate.

 

[larryofcc]

Since this post started, I have acquired two with the tapered bbl. and one with the standard bbl. All three have boxes. Big Larry

 

[Engine49guy]

How about some pics?

One of my big regrets was passing up a one line K38 with large ejector knob at Orlando last year.
It had a slight premium at $800 but how many of those are in existance?

 

[DCWilson]

How about some pics?

One of my big regrets was passing up a one line K38 with large ejector knob at Orlando last year.
It had a slight premium at $800 but how many of those are in existance?

Few; I bet they are measured in dozens rather than hundreds.

I would have whipped out my wallet for an $800 large knob K-38 so fast it would have created a micro tornado that upset adjacent tables and sent nearby association members spinning toward the ceiling. I feel your pain.

 

[larryofcc]

You and me both Dave. That was a real good price on that gun and if not wanted, it would have been great for making a couple hundred in profit even on this forum. Lets face it, they are much rarer than a $2,000 K-32. Engine49guy, you should be horsewhipped. Shame on you. Big Larry

 

[Engine49guy]

I know I know...rub it in I deserve it.....
In my defense Im a big K22 fan and had to choose two of three guns as I didnt have enough cash,
1) A Pre war K22 OD with S&W factory grip adapter,
2) A Large Knob one line K22 (at the time I did not have one)
3) The one line large knob k38

 

[larryofcc]

At a Las Vegas gun show a few years back, I spotted a 99% pre war M70 Winchester that was US marked. price was $2,500. I didn't have the $$$ but I was not going to let that rifle go, so I went to the Rolex dealer that comes to the high end shows, and offered up my two tone Submariner. He agreed to give me $4,000 for the watch, so I went back to the dealer with the M70 and confirmed our deal. I then went back to sell my watch and the Rolex dealer changed his mind. What to do now? I went to the casino's cashier cage and borrowed $2,500 on my credit card, and bought the rifle. Didn't have it a week before I sold it to a friend. Paid off the credit card, and still have that real nice blue face two tone Submariner which I had bought with gun deal profits. There are ways to get $$$$. I have lost a few nice guns in the past from lack of $$$, but it won't happen again, that's for sure. Too bad you didn't get a number, someone on this Forum would really liked to have bought that gun, including me. Big Larry

 

[DCWilson]

I know I know...rub it in I deserve it.....
In my defense Im a big K22 fan and had to choose two of three guns as I didnt have enough cash,
1) A Pre war K22 OD with S&W factory grip adapter,
2) A Large Knob one line K22 (at the time I did not have one)
3) The one line large knob k38

Then you are forgiven. But you won't do it again, right? Because now you know where your priorities are.

 

[larryofcc]

A good man always knows his limitations. Dirty Harry

 

[Engine49guy]

Too bad you didn't get a number, someone on this Forum would really liked to have bought that gun, including me. Big Larry

The story does have a sort of happy ending,
It had to be one of our members that ended up with that K38 as the Orlando event was actually last years SWCA meeting,

Also although I didnt have the full $800 for the K38 I did have $350 left when a small group of us made a quick day trip
up to a little gun show about 45 minutes drive NE where I found this 19-2 hiding under a set of Pachmayers,
Offered my last $350 and still have it today.
Perhaps it was fate?

 

[bwade]

Large ejector knob K-38s

I would love to see some pics of one these K38s!

How about some pics?

One of my big regrets was passing up a one line K38 with large ejector knob at Orlando last year.
It had a slight premium at $800 but how many of those are in existance?