The ULTIMATE K-38 Combat Masterpiece thread. Serial # database

[Jarhead822]

New to S&W forum. Was given a K Frame 38 with a 4 inch barrel. No S/N like any of the formats I've seen listed. The only numbers on it are 5908 0n the bottom of the butt and 5540 on the front of the grip strap. Thye pistol was in horrible condition (left in a plastic bag in a Miami garage for decades). The pistol has adjustable target sight on rear marked "Micro" and a large blade sight on front also marked "micro" Is this an S&W model??

Many thanks.

 

[SFIDEC]

New to S&W forum. Was given a K Frame 38 with a 4 inch barrel. No S/N like any of the formats I've seen listed. The only numbers on it are 5908 0n the bottom of the butt and 5540 on the front of the grip strap. Thye pistol was in horrible condition (left in a plastic bag in a Miami garage for decades). The pistol has adjustable target sight on rear marked "Micro" and a large blade sight on front also marked "micro" Is this an S&W model??

Many thanks.

Welcome to the Forum. Would need pictures to help ID your revolver. The numbers you posted would not be S&W serial or model numbers on a K-38 revolver. S&W put model numbers in crane/yoke area after 1957. Examples of model #'s: 15, 15-1, 15-2, etc.

 

[kevh481]

New to S&W forum. Was given a K Frame 38 with a 4 inch barrel. No S/N like any of the formats I've seen listed. The only numbers on it are 5908 0n the bottom of the butt and 5540 on the front of the grip strap. Thye pistol was in horrible condition (left in a plastic bag in a Miami garage for decades). The pistol has adjustable target sight on rear marked "Micro" and a large blade sight on front also marked "micro" Is this an S&W model??

Many thanks.

Post some pictures please.

 

[andy52]

Mine is 15 no dash 4 screw from 1959. It's truly a pleasure to shoot has one of the best double actions of all my revolvers.

 

[Jim NNN]

A great thread! Thanks for starting it, and I agree with the OP that the K-38 CM is the best .38 revolver ever. Recently bought a Colt Diamondback - beautiful shape, made in 1968, and I love it, but I'm afraid it just isn't on par with the Combat Masterpiece.

I feel bad, though - I have four Combat Masterpieces (two of them model 15's) but no factory letters or original paperwork to verify their shipping dates, so I can contribute nothing to the thread. You have my moral support, though.

 

[Aircrewman]

Another adherent to the ubiquity and purposefulness of one of Smith and Wesson's premier revolvers! I have had a number of them through the years....
Became an aficionado at age 21 when I was issued one by the County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. The first gun I had ever "owned"....well, actually owned by the county....but "my" gun. June 1974 and as not a marked "SHERIFF Dept" one and never heard (or saw) of markings on one until seeing a photo of one on the forum so marked...!
Have a number of them now. I seem to buy them when I find one for sale.... an illness for certain.... I regret 3 that I no longer own and lament their presence in my life.....
A 2" blue model that I carried off duty when assigned to L.A. Central Jail.
A pre-57 blue 5 screw that I sold to a friend who declines to sell it back...
A blue 15-2 that I brought up to Oregon from L.A. modified to DAO which I believed to have been an L.A.P.D. modified version and I carried on my second agency until we transitioned to autos and very stupidly sold.....A fine revolver. A pleasure to own and shoot.

 

[TVG]

I think I have a Combat Masterpiece, that was my father's service weapon

Hello,
I believe that I have a Combat Masterpiece that was my father's service weapon when he served as a Lieutenant with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department from the early to mid
60's til 1986. Serial Number K 113746 which dates to 1951. I have a couple of pictures one will show the left stock ground down for what i believe to for a speedloader. I believe the grips are aftermarket? Any thoughts on it will be more than welcomed.
Thanks, Mark

 

[girvin02]

K 200311

 

[rustychip]

my model 15-3

I bought this at my LGS back in the mid 90's, the stocks are after market S&W, serial number 5K16606, The SCSW says 1972

 

[lamarw]

Acquired last week (July 17, 2018). Probably produce in 1952.

Serial Number: K159800

 

[Art Doc]

CM K155836. Lettered as shipped Nov. 5 1952 to Missoula Mercantile, Missoula MT. Stocks are correct but not original. Pictured behind its 22 caliber brother.

Model 15-3 in nickel wearing polished stag stocks. Serial 11K3794.
Shipped 5/18/77 to University of Louisiana in Lafayette, LA.

 

[OLDSTER]

15-2 ca. 1964


15-4 ca. 1982

 

[mic214]

I just picked up a nice 15-3 yesterday. I am not sure when it was made, but the serial number is 3K15xxx.

I was issued one of these when I got hired on by the local Sheriff’s Office back in 1980…

 

[les.b]

Ill bump this thread with my new to me Combat Masterpiece, my first. It shipped during December of 1956. Serial number is K279948.

Here's a picture before it was cleaned up at all:

Best Regards, Les

 

[arjay]

'74 15-3 and a '52 CM 22

 

[Engine49guy]

Mixed bag of 4" Combat and Heavy Combat Masterpiece revolvers.

 

[dogngun]

Had mine for about a year...SN 86K1484...has old plastic "stag" grips and an aluminum Tyler TGrip...
Has holster wear, but no gas cutting of the top strap whatsoever, locks up like it just left the factory.
Had several M15's over the years, all sold or traded. Paid about $300.

I'm 71 now, keeping this one for as long as I remain breathing.

 

[p8riot]

1970 I believe. K992761

 

[Jimmyjones]

I have a couple of 15-2's in the safe, I'll get the numbers next time I'm in there.

My no dash is K177841.

 

[beagleye]

Engine49guy, how bout this- you don't get to hog all the guns.