Pricing Help on 1955 K-38

[OldCop876]

Hello friends,

I have an older Smith and Wesson Pre-Model 14 from 1955 that needs to go to a new home. It is in beautiful shape, far too nice for my small collection of shooter-grade guns. I can't find a mark on it. It doesn't have box or papers. I need some help in deciding what to ask for it.

The current Blue Book value seems insane, and looking at actual sold prices on an auction site show sale prices that are all over the map. Can anyone with better knowledge of this model offer me a suggestion of a fair asking price on a private sale? I'm not interested in wringing the last dime out of the gun, but I don't want to give it away either. I've added a picture and can take more. Thanks to anyone who can help.

 

[Speedo2]

SCSW4 shows $550 for M14's in excellent condition, increased ~20% for 5-screw editions, and about the same (~$650) for the Pre-M14 Masterpieces.

Your Pre-M14 appears to me to have rounded base stocks, which may be either swapped-out PC's (plain cloths) or modified originals. Does the right side grip match your sn? Regardless, that's a nice one. -S2

 

[OldCop876]

Thanks so much for the information. I do not believe that the grips are original to the gun, based on information I got from the guy who traded it to me.

Something in the $600-650 range is what my gut was telling me. Now to just find someone who wants it!

 

[Narragansett]

Well, if it has no rust, freckles, or pitting without a box etc, I might say a fair price would be like 675 shipped. Again, do the stocks match the serial number? I watched a couple recently that were pristine, with box etc, and a 3T went for 750. The non 3T went for about 700, but had the box and advertised as pristine. I paid 750 shipped for a real nice 1950 no box but matching grips. A few dollars too much I think. I think I would lose a few dollars if I sold it

 

[Narragansett]

Thanks so much for the information. I do not believe that the grips are original to the gun, based on information I got from the guy who traded it to me.

Something in the $600-650 range is what my gut was telling me. Now to just find someone who wants it!

Why don't you shoot it? They are super accurate

 

[glenwolde]

Why don't you shoot it? They are super accurate

I'm with this. They're all "shooter grade". Unless you have another one....?

 

[OldCop876]

Under ordinary circumstances, I'd keep it and shoot the hell out of it. But I'm having some health issues that aren't going to be resolved any time soon, and am thinning the herd so to speak on guns that I don't have some sort of sentimental connection to. Turning the rest into cash.

My son, who I had envisioned passing my guns along to, lives in another country and has let me know he has no interest in firearms. So, I'm letting more of them go now. Having read what I see here, I'm thinking around $650 shipped.

 

[CptCurl]

PM sent for more information. I have a friend who may be interested.

Curl

 

[Dave.357]

Price is right

Why don't you shoot it? They are super accurate

If I did not have 4 already
I would jump on it.
650 is fair you will not
Have it long

 

[JP@AK]

If I did not have 4 already
I would jump on it.

Only four? Get with the program!

 

[BigBill]

It's a s&w k38 pre model 14 target masterpiece 38 special. I paid I think $495 two decades ago. Today I'd say $600/$650 for a pre 14. But try asking $800 you can always go down but can't go higher. I'm seeing k38 prices as high as n frame prices I see some asking $1,000 not sure if there getting it but there asking.

Polish it lightly with fritz polish bring the blue luster shine back out.

 

[glowe]

Actually it is simply a K38 Masterpiece, no need for pre-model stuff and it is not a Target Masterpiece. These were made from 1946 to 1957. Atached is a flyer from the era. It is an easy answerto decide whether stocks from this era match the gun and that is to look on the inside of the right stock. All factory stocks were stamped with the serial number in that era. If no numbers or non-matching, not factory.

I see great case coloring and maybe no wear at the muzzle, so it may grade between Excellent and ANIB. The SWCA4 states Excellent is $650 and ANIB is $1250, so lots of value added as condition only slightly increases. That is one of the reasons why this model is hard to estimate without a detailed assessment of the condition. Excellent condition for this era gun is 98% and ANIB is 99%+. Good luck with your sale.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I do not believe that the grips are original to the gun, based on information I got from the guy who traded it to me

Yes, but did you actually take the grips off and check?

People want to know.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[OldCop876]

Thanks to all who helped out with information. The grips turned out not to be original to the gun. A member of this forum bought the revolver at a good price that was fair to both of us, and it is on its way to its new home now.

I might have been able to hold out and get a few buck more for it, but I like knowing that the revolver went to someone who will really appreciate it and is such a nice guy.