pre- model 14 purchase

[WV3568]

found a K38 target masterpiece today at a local shop # K78013.it needs a good cleaning but overall condition is 90 to 95 percent. the price is 465.00 OTD. it has the proper diamond magna stocks but they are marked K 79099 on the inside of the left panel. I have been wanting a pre-14 but is the price to much, given the mismatched stocks and no box. your advice or opinions on this is appreciated. I still have a few days before I must decide. thanks, WV3568

 

[Art Doc]

Stocks being off is a very minor detail. Most collectors would not adjust value much over it. A 90-95% gun is not collector grade, anyway. Given recent prices it's probably in the ballpark. You can always try to negotiate but as always, the bottom line isn't what strangers on a forum think it's worth, the question is what do YOU think it's worth?

Picture $465 in cash on the table next to the gun. You are invited to pick up one or the other. Which would you choose?

 

[DCWilson]

That is a reasonable price for the gun you describe. As SP says, the mismatched stock numbering is not a big deal. Do the stocks fit properly? Then the numbers don't matter, even if they are not the stocks that shipped on the gun in the first place.

That would be a 1950 revolver. At that time (a couple of years into production), you could get a K-38 with either a heavy rib or narrow rib barrel, and it was also possible to get them with target hammers or standard speed hammers. The target shooters preferred the heavy rib barrels, but some like the design of the narrow rib guns. The target hammers differ from the speed hammers in having a lower and wider hammer spur.

If you decide to go for this one, you know you are required to post photos, don't you?

 

[WV3568]

I picked up the K38 today, it cleaned up pretty well. will be a nice addition to my small collection of shooters.

 

[wbraswell]

I say you got a nice one. I'd have bought it.

 

[k22fan]

WV3568,
I like it and would have bought it. IMO you were too conservative calling it 90-95%. I'd call it a solid 95% even with its worn stocks which you could upgrade. Considering its age it would be "collector grade" in my house.

I've been keeping an eye out for a nice skinny rib K-38 since I recently bought one that no one would dispute is shooter grade. I spied the butt of mine sticking out of a box of used Glock magazines on the floor in a corner behind the counter of a LGS. A more sensible forum member would have just seen it as an inspiration to hunt for one like yours, but I just couldn't leave an apparently unfired 1948 S&W to an evil fate. At least I paid for $115 less than you. The best deal I've seen since was one that I would grade 90-95% for $570 OTD.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

You done good!

 

[Goony]

I'd say that looks a bit better than "shooter" grade....

 

[bamabiker]

Congrats and a jim dandy of a shooter it should be. Very nice.