Seeking knowledge on my K 38

[Dvus]

I have had for several years, a K38 Heavy Barrel Masterpiece, s/n K 31241X. I was told once, (might have been here) that it left the factory in June of 1957, and was one of the last pre model 14s made. It has the Target hammer and Trigger of the 14 and wears diamond targets, but with the football, I believe these were added later. Overall, I would say it is 98%, with just a slight turn line and a nick on the bottom of the left stock. I see nothing to indicate that it has been refinished. My questions are as follows:
1. Can anyone confirm the manufacture or ship date?
2. With no evidence of the side plate or screws ever being disturbed to facilitate hammer/trigger replacement, could this be considered a transitional piece of the K38/ M14 line?
3. Would this have been shipped in a gold/blue box or the blue/silver box?
4. Approximate value in today's market?

My apologies for the picture quality, I had to shoot in low light to keep the glare down.

 

[rct269]

The year of manufacture was 1957, according to the tabular display in Jinks' History of Smith & Wesson, where it's stated K288989-K317822 were manufactured in 1957. As to when it was shipped, a letter will tell the tale.

One seldom sees any evidence of (factory) refinishing except for the service marks to be found on the lower left grip frame--------and if this was refinished, it almost certainly was done by the factory.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Dvus]

Thank you Ralph. According to those numbers, June or July could be (key word "could ") possible.
There are no service marks on the grip frame. Also, all of the letter stampings on the barrel and frame still have the little raised edges in the corners, so it has never been buffed after the original finish was applied.

 

[JP@AK]

s/n K 31241X

Most likely shipped in 1958. K311533 shipped in January, 1958.

was one of the last pre model 14s made

Not really. The lowest number on a Model 17 we know of is in the K326xxx range, and the lowest Model 14 we know of is in the K352xxx range. There may be some with lower numbers, but nothing even close to K312xxx.

With no evidence of the side plate or screws ever being disturbed to facilitate hammer/trigger replacement, could this be considered a transitional piece of the K38/ M14 line?

What would be "transitional" about it? It is just a K-38 Heavy Masterpiece.

Would this have been shipped in a gold/blue box or the blue/silver box?

Almost certainly a blue box. Gold is theoretically possible, but I own several from that time (before and after) that all shipped in blue boxes.

 

[Dvus]

What would be "transitional" about it? It is just a K-38 Heavy Masterpiece.

I was under the impression that the target hammer/trigger combination wasn't available until the M14 designation, but this is why I ask the experts.

 

[JP@AK]

I was under the impression that the target hammer/trigger combination wasn't available until the M14 designation

Target hammer was available early in the '50s with the trigger coming along shortly thereafter. I forget the exact year, but well before 1958.

 

[series guy]

Since nobody addressed the value part I would think in the condition shown this gun would be worth around $800. Prices do vary by location and venue.

 

[STG38]

K312299 Shipped in February 1958

 

[GSP Fan]

Is the trigger smooth or serrated? IIRC the target trigger would be smooth BUT were talking memory here which is shaky at times LOL

 

[Dvus]

Target trigger is serrated.

 

[GSP Fan]

Target trigger is serrated.

Memory fail.......again

 

[moosedog]

That's a very nice revolver that you have. Target Hammers and Triggers first appeared in the 1952 S&W catalogs. Your gun is worth about a grand.

 

[Dvus]

Thank you moosedog, I was thinking about 1100, but geographic location can play a part in valuation, and 150 + or - is normal. And everybody's opinion varies as well, and mine just may be a little biased since it is in my possession.