S & W revolver

[dean sr.]

Hello all, new to Forum here and would appreciate any information. I purchased a used S & W revolver in 1996. The store I purchased it from wrote the receipt as "Model 15". I can't locate or confirm that model number even using all the location clues on this Forum. It is barrel stamped "38 S&W Special CTG". Serial # is 232171. Yoke # is 77385. It has a 6" barrel, adjustable rear sight and walnut diamond grips. I believe this originally was Police or Highway Patrol prior to their conversion to auto loaders. Would be interested in approximate age, current value of gun & value of grips only.

4 photos attached.
Thanks in advance, dean

 

[civil1977]

Looks like a Model 14 or pre Model 14 to me. Hard to tell how many screws it has on the side plate from the pics. Appears to be sporting a trigger shoe and the front sight looks modified but again it's hard to tell.

 

[Jimmyjones]

It's a post war gun, 5 screw, looks more like a K-38 Target Masterpiece (Pre-model 14) than a 15. The 14 had the patridge sight blade, the 15 is a ramp.

Is there a "K" prefix to the serial number ? If so that would date it to 1955. A top down picture showing the rear sight and the barrel rib would be useful in helping to identifying it.

 

[shouldazagged]

First, welcome to the best gun forum around, from Louisville.

Second, it's going to take much clearer pictures for the really knowledgeable folk here (I'm not one) to help you with the information you seek.

Third, the model number is usually stamped in the frame, visible when the cylinder is swung out.

 

[g8rb8]

I'm going all in. Forgive me if I'm wrong.

What you have is a K-38 Target Masterpiece, also referred to as a "Pre-Model 14." There should be a K before the serial number. The serial number would date it to 1955.

Prior to the institution of model numbers in about 1957 Smith & Wesson made a 38 special K-frame revolver in a 6" barrel and adjustable rear sights referred to as The K-38 Target Masterpiece also referred to as a "Pre-Model 14" which became the model 14 after 1957. S&W made the same gun (.38 special with adjustable sights) with a 4" barrel called the K-38 Combat Masterpiece also referred to as a "Pre-Model 15" which became the Model 15 in 1957. The main difference between these guns is the length of the barrels.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Price is based on three things: condition, condition, and condition. Your pictures aren't very good so it's hard to tell. I can give you a range, so you've got something to go on: $450 to $650 for a used gun in good condition.

Price of the grips are based on the same three things. In S&W lingo they're called "Target Stocks". First you should determine if the grips are original to the gun. I'm not sure as I don't know if the "Football" cut-out was in use as early as 1957. If you take the grips off, there would be a 6 digit number. If it matches the gun's s/n then they're original. Grips are a whole 'nother specialty for S&W collectors. Those grips, all on their own could sell in the $80 to $180 range.

 

[dean sr.]

It's a post war gun, 5 screw, looks more like a K-38 Target Masterpiece (Pre-model 14) than a 15. The 14 had the patridge sight blade, the 15 is a ramp.

Is there a "K" prefix to the serial number ? If so that would date it to 1955. A top down picture showing the rear sight and the barrel rib would be useful in helping to identifying it.

Yes, there is a "K" before serial #. Thanks very much for responding.

 

[dean sr.]

Price is based on three things: condition, condition, and condition. Your pictures aren't very good so it's hard to tell. I can give you a range, so you've got something to go on: $450 to $650 for a used gun in good condition.

Price of the grips are based on the same three things. In S&W lingo they're called "Target Stocks". First you should determine if the grips are original to the gun. I'm not sure as I don't know if the "Football" cut-out was in use as early as 1957. If you take the grips off, there would be a 6 digit number. If it matches the gun's s/n then they're original. Grips are a whole 'nother specialty for S&W collectors. Those grips, all on their own could sell in the $80 to $180 range.

Thanks very much for the detailed response, and I do apologize for the poor photo quality.

 

[dean sr.]

I'm going all in. Forgive me if I'm wrong.

What you have is a K-38 Target Masterpiece, also referred to as a "Pre-Model 14." There should be a K before the serial number. The serial number would date it to 1955.

Prior to the institution of model numbers in about 1957 Smith & Wesson made a 38 special K-frame revolver in a 6" barrel and adjustable rear sights referred to as The K-38 Target Masterpiece also referred to as a "Pre-Model 14" which became the model 14 after 1957. S&W made the same gun (.38 special with adjustable sights) with a 4" barrel called the K-38 Combat Masterpiece also referred to as a "Pre-Model 15" which became the Model 15 in 1957. The main difference between these guns is the length of the barrels.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

There is indeed a "K" before serial #. Thanks very much for your detailed response.

 

[dean sr.]

First, welcome to the best gun forum around, from Louisville.

Second, it's going to take much clearer pictures for the really knowledgeable folk here (I'm not one) to help you with the information you seek.

Third, the model number is usually stamped in the frame, visible when the cylinder is swung out.

Thanks for the "welcome from Louisville". Several other members seem to have nailed what I have. I truly appreciate all the prompt responses.

 

[dean sr.]

Looks like a Model 14 or pre Model 14 to me. Hard to tell how many screws it has on the side plate from the pics. Appears to be sporting a trigger shoe and the front sight looks modified but again it's hard to tell.

3 screws on side plate, and it does have a trigger shoe. Thanks very much for responding.

 

[Jimmyjones]

3 screws on side plate, and it does have a trigger shoe. Thanks very much for responding.

3 screws visible on the side plate, the forth is hidden under the stocks.

 

[rwsmith]

Open the cylinder.....

Swing out the cylinder and on the frame right above the yoke hinge that's covered up when the cylinder is closed, is almost surely a model # and most probably a 'dash' #,

 

[usm1rifle]

Swing out the cylinder and on the frame right above the yoke hinge that's covered up when the cylinder is closed, is almost surely a model # and most probably a 'dash' #,

There will be no model number on K 232171.

 

[zelda]

dean---Beautiful needlework on the quilt.......

 

[Jaymo]

I'm just going to throw it out there.
Those are damned fine shooting revolvers.
You couldn't ask for much more in a target revolver.
That's my take on it and I stand by my assertion.

 

[dean sr.]

dean---Beautiful needlework on the quilt.......

Well thanks zelda, I'll pass that along.