Pre-Model 15 in the wrong gold box?

[MarkHayden]

At a recent North Idaho gun show I saw a beautiful pre-Model 15 in a gold box. The box indicated "6-inch" in blue on one end; the other end had a printed label attached to it indicating "Combat Masterpiece, 4 inch barrel".

The price of the gun was reasonable so I bought it, even though I questioned the box. Included in the sale was this gold box, which contained a black steel SAT, tan tissue paper, and a block of wood (?).

When I got home I consulted the SCSW, page 170. Regarding pre-Model 15s, "Some early guns shipped in 6" gold boxes with a 2" wood block to take up extra space". It dawned on me what I have been told over the years, most recently by Doc44, that S&W doesn't throw anything away, they find other uses for it.

I haven't been this lucky in years! Thanks to you all for reading about my good fortune.

Mark

 

[handejector]

NICE package! Check the bottom of the box for the serial number.

 

[larryofcc]

My 5 screw 22 Combat Masterpiece came in the exact same box. My 38 Combat Masterpiece also came in a re labeled box. Most I have seen are that way.
My K-38 is a re label as is my M48-0 and early Combat Magnum. All are numbered on the bottom. Big Larry

 

[ralph7]

At a recent North Idaho gun show I saw a beautiful pre-Model 15 in a gold box. The box indicated "6-inch" in blue on one end; the other end had a printed label attached to it indicating "Combat Masterpiece, 4 inch barrel".

The price of the gun was reasonable so I bought it, even though I questioned the box. Included in the sale was this gold box, which contained a black steel SAT, tan tissue paper, and a block of wood (?).

When I got home I consulted the SCSW, page 170. Regarding pre-Model 15s, "Some early guns shipped in 6" gold boxes with a 2" wood block to take up extra space". It dawned on me what I have been told over the years, most recently by Doc44, that S&W doesn't throw anything away, they find other uses for it.

I haven't been this lucky in years! Thanks to you all for reading about my good fortune.

Mark

I would be real hesitant to shoot that jewel.

 

[RKmesa]

Looks "right" to me. Congrats on running down a very nice package.

 

[Waveski]

Beautiful Combat Masterpiece.

I don't see a " pre" anything.

 

[gmborkovic]

OH! nice blue SAT!

 

[Vtgw938]

Everything about it is cool. But it clearly needs to be shot, at least a little.

 

[bigmoose]

Very, very nice. Congrats.

 

[target tech]

The wood block is a do it yourself target grip starter kit

 

[JP@AK]

MarkHayden

When the first .38 Combat Masterpiece revolvers came out (shipping began in October, 1949) there were no boxes specifically sized for them. As far as I can tell, they all shipped in repurposed K-38 Masterpiece boxes. A paper label was pasted on the end of the box indicating the contents, just as you see with yours. It seems this didn't change until sometime in the early- to mid-1950s.

A very nice package you picked up there. Congratulations!

 

[Seaburry]

Very very nice. Might have shoot it some… wk

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice package, so cool the label even indicates the target hammer.

Curios how low the serial is as I track early Combat Masterpieces and Combat Magnums.

 

[Hondo44]

Congrats!

There's nothing like finding out you got a gun in a "righteous" package!

 

[m4user]

You stumbled upon a great find. Congratulations!

 

[dbell54]

I would be real hesitant to shoot that jewel.

I can't see the point of owning a firearm that you don't fire, unless it's SO old that it wouldn't be safe. Pretty expensive for a paperweight, and a beauty like this one just cries out "shoot me!"

 

[dpast32]

'O/P', Congratulations on an awesome, & extremely uncommon Find ! And especially so if you obtained it for a nice price !! It's seemingly amazing to find everything intact, just as shipped from S&W's Factory. Who knows if some interim owner made an incorrect assumption regarding the 'seemingly' mislabeled Box, the 'Wooden Block', which on first impression appears to be something that someone placed inside the Box for unknown reasons ? You are indeed fortunate to come across this wonderful example of an S&W K Frame 'Service Revolver' !! This one, without doubt deserves a 'Letter'.

Best, dpast32

 

[Dave.357]

I got a block of wood just like
That ,Christmas 1958 .
Coal mines were on Strike.
Very nice find.

 

[larryofcc]

The wooden blocks were put in at the factory to take up the extra space. The blocks are rarer than the gun, sat, and box. They are seldom seen even in boxes with mint guns. I have a drippy mint .38 Combat Masterpiece that came in a re labeled box with all its tools, but no block or paper. Big Larry

 

[bdGreen]

The wooden blocks were put in at the factory to take up the extra space. The blocks are rarer than the gun, sat, and box. They are seldom seen even in boxes with mint guns. I have a drippy mint .38 Combat Masterpiece that came in a re labeled box with all its tools, but no block or paper. Big Larry

This..

They were put in by the factory to utilize existing boxes for the shorter barreled guns.

I had a 3 1/2" 5 screw .357 Magnum with that treatment to make it compatible with the box.

I sold the gun.

I gifted the block of wood to a member of the Forum here.

bdGreen