S & W .38 Special Info

[steve_1953r51]

I am looking for some info on revolver that belonged to my late father-in-law. It is a S & W .38 Special with serial number K 217781 stamped on the butt and 2 other places. The barrel length 6 in. from the front of the cyl and 7 1/2 in. from the back of the cyl. It has walnut grips with a round S & W emblem imbedded in the upper part of the grips.

Thanks, Steve

 

[SaxonPig]

Does it look something like this?




The gun pictured is actually a K22 while yours is a K38 (essentially the same save for caliber). Called the Masterpiece until 1957 when it was dubbed the Model 14. The K prefix indicates a K frame revolver with adjustable sights. The 6" barrel is most common on this model.

I don't have my book so I can't give you the exact date of manufacture but if there is no MOD-14 stamped under the cylinder crane it was made before 1957.

A classic revolver.

 

[steve_1953r51]

The gun looks just like yours except the upper part of the grips do not have an indentation. The front sight is exactly the same as is the rear sight. Is the length of the barrel measured from the front of the cylinder?

 

[Pistol Toter]

Saxon, Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, says 1956

 

[MrBorland]

I assume from what I've read that you've got a 1956 K-38 Target Masterpiece. Should have a serrated trigger and a trigger stop, no? That's a mighty fine revolver you've inherited. Very nice, indeed. Surf the web to read up on it to appreciate it even more, then go shoot it.

 

[SaxonPig]

Thanks, PT.

There you go. A 1956 K38 Masterpiece. I think your stocks likely have a small diamond around the screw? These were used up until 1968. The non-relieved style was changed in the mid-late 1950s to the type with the "football shaped" relief.

You measure the barrel from the muzzle to the front of the cylinder. The nominal measurement (it can vary a tiny bit from gun to gun) is 6" and the typical front sight is the Patridge type (one r) which is squared for target shooting.

Oh, I found a pic of my 14. This one is from 1970 and you can see they didn't change much from when yours was made. The stocks are the most obvious difference.



This is a different gun but the stocks are similar to yours, no?

 

[Pistol Toter]

If he would mail it to me I's give him two dollars for it. That's a buck and half more than it's worth.

 

[steve_1953r51]

Wondering what value might be. There is some wear on the muzzle from the holster. Other than that it looks pretty nice. I realize it is hard to value without seeing it, but wondering if this a $100 gun or more than that.

 

[MrBorland]

wondering if this a $100 gun or more than that.

More than $100. My guess would be $350-$500, with the upper end of this range reasonable if the grips are original. S&W deleted the upper sideplate screw in 1955, and these earlier "5-screw" versions would fetch a bit of a premium. Look on the right side of the gun - do you see a screw at the top of the sideplate, just below the rear sight? If it's a 1956, probably not, but it may be a very late 5-screw. Do you also have the original box? This adds some value as well.

For a bit of a fee, you can get a letter from S&W historian Roy Jinks detailing the history of your gun.

http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/01/collectors-treasure.html

 

[MrBorland]

serial number K 217781 stamped on the butt and 2 other places.

Saxon, Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, says 1956

Whoa - I just double-checked. Someone else check as well, but my copy of The Std Catalogue has K217XXX as a 1954, not 1956. PT may have switched the "1" and "7", in which case, it'd be a 1956. At any rate, if a 1954, it's likely a 5-screw.

 

[steve_1953r51]

There is a screw on the right side of the gun just below the rear sight and just behind the top of the cylinder....this means it is a "5 screw"?

 

[sixgunner455]

Means it's a 4 or a 5 screw. There are 3 or 4 screws on the sideplate, and then the fifth is on the frame, in the front, at the top of the trigger guard where the curve flows from the trigger guard to the lower part of the frame below the cylinder.

 

[MrBorland]

this means it is a "5 screw"?

Yep. You should see a total of 3 screws on the sideplate; the one below the sight, and 2 above the trigger. There'd be another at the front of the trigger guard. The 5th screw is another sideplate screw, but it's hidden by the grip. Very nice revolver you have there! These were as good as S&W ever made. Take care of it, but don't be afraid to shoot it, either. My new estimate is $500-$600.

 

[steve_1953r51]

Thanks for the info....very interesting as to how many variations there are. I will post a couple of pictures later today just for interest.

 

[steve_1953r51]

I can't seem to figure out how to attach my pics. I got the uploaded into the "Manage attachments", but how do you get them into the post from there?

 

[deercop]

Does it look something like this:

 

[Pistol Toter]

Sorry fellas, looks like I transposed a number. My appologies.

 

[steve_1953r51]

Looks just like the one in the pics posted by Deercop. Thanks everyone.

Steve

 

[deercop]

My pre M14, K2384**, dates to 1955.

 

[Bellevance]

I can't seem to figure out how to attach my pics.

Steve-- Best thing to do is to go to a photo-hosting Web site, like Photobucket, upload your photos there, then paste in the photo codes to your post here. It would be a treat to have a look at your K-38 5-screw.