Smith & Wesson K38 / model 15 pricing question

For a pristine Model 15,,,
I believe they are bringing 800 to 1,000 bucks.

I saw a well used/not abused shooter quality in my LGS a few months back,,,
It went for 550 the first day it was put in the shelves.

Mine is excellent condition with box and sealed tools,,,
I wouldn't take anything less than 1,000 for it,,,
But then again I'm not in any hurry to sell.

Aarond

.

Prices have been going up. Right now it's a seller's market.

But for some nice K-framed .38s expect to pay around $700.
Yes, you may find some prices lower and many higher.

When it comes to .357 K-frames, then the prices are more
vigorous. And also specimens are more scarce.

My dream revolver is a k 38 in prefect shape!

horsemen61 said:

My dream revolver is a k 38 in prefect shape!

Click to expand...

Which K-38?

• 4" Model 15 Combat Masterpiece
• 6" Model 14 Masterpiece

Just curious is all.

Aarond

.

Gunbroker has always had guns with very optimistic pricing. It's nothing new.

In "really great condition" I'd expect prices in the $800 range or more. Maybe give or take $100 depending on how desperate the seller is, if the box is included and what ever else it came with. If you're looking for a shooter in "good" condition you should be able to find one for a little cheaper. If you're looking for something to shoot there's no reason to buy in 98%, 99% or similar condition.

Three years ago I bought a 2" Model 15 and a 6" Model 14 for $600 each. Six years ago I bought a 4" Model 15 for $500.

I'm sure prices are inflated from that in today's market.

Look on www.gunsinternational.com as well.

aarondhgraham said:

Which K-38?

• 4" Model 15 Combat Masterpiece
• 6" Model 14 Masterpiece

Just curious is all.

Aarond

.

Click to expand...

Gotta be the 6inch model 14 If I had to chose


But I want both!

I passed one up a few years ago for $600, but only because I got a 19-3 RB snub for $350 from the same place.

Tomahawk674 said:

I like admiring the finish on a gun so I want a little better than shooter grade.

Click to expand...

FWIW, the original K38 Combat Masterpiece did not have a high-gloss finish, it was a satin finish blue, similar to rust blue. So if you're looking for a high-polish finish, look for a Model 15, not the K38.

Also, 5 screw K38's in 95% or better condition are not cheap. They're not that common.

Howdy

Let's get our definitions straight.

The K-38 Target Masterpiece was introduced in 1946, right after the end of WWII. It was a K frame 38 Special revolver with the micrometer click adjustable rear sight. K-38 Target Masterpieces had 6" barrels.

Here are a couple. The one at the top of the photo with the fake stag grips left the factory in 1957. It is a 3 screw Smith. Also, somebody reshaped the front sight from it's original Patridge shape. The one below left the factory in 1950. It is a 5 screw Smith with the original Magna grips and the front sight has not been reshaped. Note both of them have short throw 'speed hammer' that was being used at the time. I have had these a long time, they each cost around $500 when I bought them.






The K-38 Masterpiece became the Model 14 in 1957. This Model 14-3 left the factory in 1974. I got it for a steal at $500 a few years ago. Don't expect to find one at that price.






This is a 38 Combat Masterpiece. The definition of a Combat Masterpiece means it has a 4" barrel and a Baughman front sight. They were called Combat Masterpieces because the idea was they could be drawn quickly from a holster with the 4" barrel, and the Baughman front side would not snag on a leather holster the way the Patridge front sight might. This 38 Combat Masterpiece shipped in 1953 and I paid $750 for it a couple of years ago.






The K-38 Combat Masterpiece became the Model 15 in 1957. I do not have one to post a photo of. Most Model 15s had a 4" barrel, a few had different barrel lengths.


This is a K-22 Combat Masterpiece that left the factory in 1953. Notice the similarity to the K-38 Combat Masterpiece pictured above. The same 4" barrel, the same Baughman front sight. Other than being a 22, the only other difference between this revolver and the K-38 Combat Masterpiece above is the hammer. This hammer is a typical short throw hammer with a longer than usual hammer spur.

Mine are not for sale but just to show they are still out there. Boxes but no tools and all three guns are pristine. What looks like muzzle holster wear is only light reflection. Found all on Gun Broker about ten years ago.

The "pre 15" has a satin finish because S&W was doing less polishing as they hurried to fill the pent up demand after five years of war production.

My .22 Combat Masterpiece has a bright polished replacement barrel, circa 1961, on its earlier satin frame and cylinder.
My Dad and I were making our regular visit to Aeromarine Supply in Birmingham when I saw this revolver on the counter behind the showcase. I asked the dealer and he said they took it in trade and when cleaning it for display, found it had a bulged barrel; so it was waiting to be sent back for a replacement. I got the nod from Dad and we asked them to let us know when they got it back, it was just what I wanted. They did, so now I have a somewhat two-tone gun.

Tomahawk,

You mentioned "recessed." As a .38, no recessed
chambers. That was for magnum calibers, i.e. the
Combat Magnum Model 19, etc.

That is correct. No recessed chambers on a S&W 38. If you look carefully at my photos you will see there is enough space behind the cylinder for the rims of the cartridges.

Smith and Wesson 22 rimfires are a different story, they do have recessed chambers.

This is the cylinder of a K-22 from 1950.






This is the cylinder of a modern Model 617.





I suppose the 22s had recessed chambers as a safety precaution just in case a case split. But S&W 38 Specials did not have recessed chambers. Modern 38 Special brass is much thicker at the base than a 22 Rimfire, and can take more pressure. Boost it up to magnum pressures and the chambers were recessed.


The chambers on this old 22/32 Heavy Frame target are not recessed.






No idea why I put a piece of 45 Colt brass next to the recessed cylinder from this 357 Magnum Model 19-3, but I did.





Apparently S&W has decided 357 Magnum chambers no longer need to be recessed, as can be seen on the Model 686 on the right in this photo. The 38 Special Model 15-3 on the left is a typical 38, without recessed chambers.

Recessed rims on a modern centerfire serve no purpose I can tell. 1935 equivalent of French borders.

I just bought a nice Model 14-3 6” off GB for just over $550. This one is pinned, but not recessed as the guys stated.
I also just bought a nice Model 66-3 6” .357 off GB for about $615, it’s neither pinned nor recessed.

No boxes or papers and both wear aftermarket rubber grips, but I’ve held them both (They’re in the penalty box awaiting the ten-day waiting period) and they’re in very nice condition.

Others with the boxes and papers, or In unfired condition, etc. sold for more, but I buy guns to shoot not collect. Others may buy to stash them away, I’ll save 200-300 bucks (or more) on a shooter without papers/boxes rather than buy a pricy collector piece I’m afraid to scratch or dirty up anytime.

Stay safe.

Im not really a Smith guy, but i have my grandpa's immaculate 14-4 that a is a real dream to squeeze the trigger on. I think 800 will buy a really nice one. He shot bullseye with it, flush loaded wadcutters and all! I still have some of his handloads too

About a year ago, I acquired an S&W model 15-3. It had been a police trade in and it was NOT pristine. Outside finish was blotchy with minor surface rust and holster wear.
The small walnut grips were battered. The price was fair, about $300 If I recall. However when I opened it up, the insides of the revolver were like new. Clean shiny bore, all cylinder bores
were clean and shiny. Essentially no wear any where. So, I cleaned, cold blued as needed, polished where needed, replace all the springs with Wolff springs.
Oh lordy does that old revolver shoot! Accurate out at 50 yard on plates, smooth DA trigger, clean and crisp SA trigger. Well worth the labor, parts and price.
The best part is that its not a collectors item nor a safe queen. I can change things on it, fix it up as I desire and I've lost nothing. A fine revolver good for years of enjoyment.

Bought a 15-3 a couple years ago at a gun shop for $515 out the door. It was probably a bit more worn than what you want, and had best up rubber grips, but it's an excellent shooter.

Before things went crazy (pre-March) you could find a pretty decent model 15 for $500-550. Now, probably a lot more

There are buys out there, watch Gunbroker diligently-

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/875010586

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/874298309

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/877693886

I bought this one on GB back at the first of the year and gave around $300 for it. It has a few light scratches, but is really nice-





35W

My local shop had a LNIB with all papers and tools Model 15-2 for $550 this past January. I bought it, of course. Action was a bit gummy so I opened it up. Gummy stuff inside. Owner must have squirted oil or grease in there. Cleaned right up, though. I still haven’t shot it and don’t know if I will. I have other revolvers to shoot. I take it out and look at it often. Owning it gives me a real pleasure.

Mine is a mirror polish with the wide target trigger and hammer. It was made in 1967, right when they were phasing out the diamond magna grips. Mine don’t have the diamonds but they do number to the gun.