Question for Smith & Wesson Afectionados

[blackwolfe]

I'm looking at a Smith & Wesson revolver that I have a chance to acquire.

It is marked 38 S&W Special Ctg  on one side of the barrel and Smith & Wesson on the other side.
S/N K 180 9XX.  The cylinder is also marked with the serial number.

In the yoke it is marked:
     B
 48 979
     5

I think this is a K38 Masterpiece with a 6 inch barrel and adjustable sights.  It has pimp grips (plastic pearl) on it that I think are aftermarket, maybe Jay Scott brand, but not marked.

Any idea when this might have been made and what kind of grips should be on it?  Is there a possibility that these might be factory grips?  Any thing special that I should look for in this revolver? Value?   Any help or information would be appreciated.  Thank you.
         

[fightingquaker13]

I'm looking at a Smith & Wesson revolver that I have a chance to acquire.

It is marked 38 S&W Special Ctg  on one side of the barrel and Smith & Wesson on the other side.
S/N K 180 9XX.  The cylinder is also marked with the serial number.

In the yoke it is marked:
     B
 48 979
     5

I think this is a K38 Masterpiece with a 6 inch barrel and adjustable sights.  It has pimp grips (plastic pearl) on it that I think are aftermarket, maybe Jay Scott brand, but not marked.

Any idea when this might have been made and what kind of grips should be on it?  Is there a possibility that these might be factory grips?  Any thing special that I should look for in this revolver? Value?   Any help or information would be appreciated.  Thank you.
         

Call the S@W CS line. They are remarkably eager to help, at least they were in my case. The guy seemed to like the "I've got this old Smith, what is it?" question. He even quoted me bluebook on the gun.
FQ13

[ellis4538]

If it has a wide target trigger and hammer and Patridge front sight it probably came with the big grips.  I can't remember exactly what year S&W changed over to the 6" barrel (vs. 61/2) but if it is indeed 6" it is a newer revo.

Richard 

[tombogan03884]

Try this

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757815_-1_757814_757812_image

[blackwolfe]

If it has a wide target trigger and hammer and Patridge front sight it probably came with the big grips.  I can't remember exactly what year S&W changed over to the 6" barrel (vs. 61/2) but if it is indeed 6" it is a newer revo.

Richard 

I never actually measured the barrel, I just accepted 6 inches that the owner told me.

[Sponsor]

[seeker_two]

I never actually measured the barrel, I just accepted 6 inches that the owner told me.

I had a girlfriend like that once....   

[PegLeg45]

I never actually measured the barrel, I just accepted 6 inches that the owner told me.

I had a girlfriend like that once....   

That's why my wife says men are better at reading maps than women.......'cause only in a man's mind can 1" equal 5 miles. 

 

[twyacht]

Wish you had a pic,...How old do you think it is? Adjustable sights may have been added later.

Is it like this? Here's a 38 Special Ctg. with patent marks on the barrel ending in 1928. My neighbor had it wrapped in a towel for who knows how long, and it after some TLC, it was still smooth and functional.







The S&W website is very helpful.  How many screws hold down the cover plate on the frame? 3, 4? those can help date it also.

[blackwolfe]

    Nice oldie TW.
   
    Well I got it.  I found out that it is a 5 screw K-38, pre model 14 born in 1953.  I'm not sure if this is a K-38 Masterpiece or not.  I think that depends if it has the target trigger and hammer.  I'm not sure if I know how to tell a target trigger and hammer.  It has the sweetest trigger that I have ever seen, almost scary sweet.  It's fairly clean.  The barrel is 6 inches.  It should have the diamond magna grips.  I need to see if I can find a set of those, but from what I can tell that won't be easy or cheap.  I will try to figure out how to take a digital picture and post it the next time I have some time off of work in about a week.

     This had belonged to a friend that I went to school with from K-12 grade who passed away recently.