Saved another old Smith

[got2hav1]

Saw this one a couple months ago and I thought it was an old gun but I could see only one side. I went back today and it was still there. I asked to see it and checked it over good. It appears to be a 4 screw K38 from 1957 S/N K296XXX. Is that correct? It has a few handling marks and a tiny bit of blue loss at the barrel tip. Overall though it's in VG condition to be 59 years old. I'm a '56 model and I haven't held up nearly as well. There was also a Model 14-4 8-3/8" barrel next to it. I briefly thought about that one too, but not crazy about long barrels. It was nice though. What do you guys think about this one? I'll take some better photos later.

 

[mattallamerican]

nice there is one in my neck of the woods also im very tempted nice find

 

[Bob L]

You did well I think. Just need the range report.

 

[19leben]

Nice Combat Masterpiece. If it's a 4 screw, probably shipped sometime in 1958, just before or even during when model marking started. I'm assuming your gun isn't stamped Mod 15 on the frame under the yoke?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the purchase

 

[got2hav1]

Nice Combat Masterpiece. If it's a 4 screw, probably shipped sometime in 1958, just before or even during when model marking started. I'm assuming your gun isn't stamped Mod 15 on the frame under the yoke?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Right . No model stamp.

 

[got2hav1]

Grips are numbered to the gun. Cool!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Very nice.

I would forego the TH for a TT, but gun and stocks are beautiful.

 

[LEO918]

Nice Combat Masterpiece. I've found the target hammer to be pretty common on these. Two of mine are set up the same.

 

[Jaymo]

I have 2 model 15s, a 15-3 and a 15-5, both with 4" barrels.
I think you'd have been crazy to have walked away from that.
If it had been in my neck of the woods, I'd have added it to the collection.

 

[250sav]

C'mon! You have to tell us what you paid for it, so we can drool!

 

[Targets Guy]

Looks nice. Go for it.

 

[gman51]

Looks very clean. So many of the revolvers I see in pawn shops around here are in poor shape but they still want collector prices for them.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

I'd like to team one like that up with my K22 four screw 6" Masterpiece.

 

[shouldazagged]

I think I'm in lust.

 

[OLDSTER]

Congrats. That's a great find

 

[Stirling]

That is a very nice find! Hope you got it for a steal.

 

[Waveski]

I also own a 4" Combat Masterpiece from the 50's. What you have there is one of the sweetest shooting .38 Specials ever! You will love it on the range.

 

[Waveski]

May I ask what the price was on the 14-4 long barrel?

 

[got2hav1]

The shop that had this and the 14-4 are know to be on the high side but they do have some classics usually. Probably no higher than you would pay on GB. I was out the door with this one for just over 700. The price on the tag of the 14 was 1100 and some change. It was flawless. So no screaming deals but I could live with what I paid.

 

[got2hav1]

Better photos without all the oil.

 

[Jaymo]

Yeah, I could live with that.

 

[got2hav1]

Question. On another forum I have been corrected for calling the above revolver a K38. Some have said it is a Combat Masterpiece, which I agree it is but not a K38. The S&W Standard Catalog calls it a K38 Combat Masterpiece does it not? Set me straight please.

 

[les.b]

I'm no expert, but I think we will all know what you mean. As far as I understand, though, only the 4" K38 was called the Combat Masterpiece, and it still retained that name even after model numbers began, and it became the Model 15.

Best Regards, Les

 

[got2hav1]

I'm no expert, but I think we will all know what you mean. As far as I understand, though, only the 4" K38 was called the Combat Masterpiece, and it still retained that name even after model numbers began, and it became the Model 15.

Best Regards, Les

Right, according to the Standard Catalog the K38 6" was called the Target Masterpiece and became the Model 14. The K38 4" was called the Combat Masterpiece and became the Model 15. Nitpicking I guess.

 

[Jaymo]

As much as I love the Colt Python, I'd pay $700 for your Combat Masterpiece before I'd pay a couple of grand for a Python.

 

[got2hav1]

Colts are still commanding big numbers. I just bought a snubbie Diamonback and that will probably be my last Colt unless I stumble on a really good deal.

 

[les.b]

Colts are still commanding big numbers. I just bought a snubbie Diamonback and that will probably be my last Colt unless I stumble on a really good deal.

I agree. I have been offered $1,800 for my snubbie Diamondback in 38, no box, nice condition, but the stocks are worn from moderate carry. I have had it for years, and have nothing like that in it, but I'm holding on to it, as I doubt that the value will go down, even if they start to make new ones, it will be just like smiths... Collectors will still want the classic ones. And if I buy any more Colts, it will probably be the older models as well.

Best Regards, Les

 

[got2hav1]

I agree. I have been offered $1,800 for my snubbie Diamondback in 38, no box, nice condition, but the stocks are worn from moderate carry. I have had it for years, and have nothing like that in it, but I'm holding on to it, as I doubt that the value will go down, even if they start to make new ones, it will be just like smiths... Collectors will still want the classic ones. And if I buy any more Colts, it will probably be the older models as well.

Best Regards, Les

Les, just to give you an idea, the one I bought was 2K no box but rated by the seller as 99%. I missed another that bid up to 2200 and I dropped out. So they aren't easy to find in snubbie size. So unless you need the funds hang on to it. I don't think the bottom will drop out on the DA Colts anytime soon. It might level out some, but there will always be a demand for them.

 

[Jaymo]

I'm a lifelong Colt fan, but they are out of my price range. I never thought DA Colts would bring as much as they do, now that they're no longer made.