38 S&W - uncertain of type
My dad passed away last year and I'm only just now getting around to checking out some of the firearms he left to me. One that I'm curious about is this S&W 38 Special Police, s/n K3020xx. Trigger has been modified to about a 1.5 lb pull and the grips appear to be something other than stock. Any info regarding age and value would be most appreciated. Thanks --Rich
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K-38 / Model 14
Stocks are S&W Target.
K288989-K317822 = 1957
1957 was the year S&W started stamping model numbers.0 -
Is there a screw set in the front edge of the frame just ahead of the trigger guard? If you swing open the cylinder is there a model number stamped on the inside of the frame?
You have what would generally be called the "K -38" target pistol, later known as the "Model 14". The grips, if they are original to the gun, are the diamond type.
If the gun has that 4th screw in the frame and the grips are original I'd say you have an early 60's K-38. If the grips aren't original and no 4th screw hole you could have a later made Model 14 with the diamonds added. The grips on their own are worth about $150.00 or so to the right buyer, maybe a touch more.0 -
Nice pistol, should be a great shooter. 1.5 pounds is really light for single action, are you guessing or did you use a gauge? Grips look correct to me. My K frame from the 60's looks just like them.
Added I understand. My N frames are almost all ways guessed to be 1/4 to 1 pound, but I can hang them on the trigger about 3.5 pounds.
Nice pistol, well cared for. I gave my niece the 70's version I bought my dad.0 -
Thanks for the quick response. Below are a few more detailed images of some of the areas you've all mentioned as well as the trigger, hammer and stocks along with all the markings of any significance. @DFLETCHER...the screw is there on the trigger guard, not sure if the stamping I see (B) is the one you mean but that's the only thing I see with the cylinder opened @CHARLIEMEYER007...the pull was not measured, but is considerably lighter than on my Python - very sensitive. --Rich
set 1:
set 2:0 -
If you take the grips off you can sometimes tell if they were original as S&W would pencil the serial number on the underside of one of the panels for many years. I have an earlier 1952 version of your gun..they are an outstanding firearm. 0 -
your pistol as well as the officers model match. Were both the quintessence of target revolvers used in Bulls-Eye Pistol matches during the 1930's - 1950's and beyond 0 -
Good follow up pictures.
I'm sure someone else can narrow it down better than me. Having the 4th screw on the trigger guard present but not a 5th screw on the side plate top tells me the gun was made after 1955 (when the sideplate screw was removed) but before 1961 (when the trigger guard screw was removed). Further, Smith started using model numbers and stamping them on the inside of the frame in 1957. So a guess as to when this was made would be between 1955 and 1957.
As with all things Smith there's no clear demarcation on exact dates, they tended to use all sorts of odds & ends putting together guns. A check of the serial number would provide a "born on date".0 -
quote:Originally posted by dfletcher
Good follow up pictures.
I'm sure someone else can narrow it down better than me. Having the 4th screw on the trigger guard present but not a 5th screw on the side plate top tells me the gun was made after 1955 (when the sideplate screw was removed) but before 1961 (when the trigger guard screw was removed). Further, Smith started using model numbers and stamping them on the inside of the frame in 1957. So a guess as to when this was made would be between 1955 and 1957.
As with all things Smith there's no clear demarcation on exact dates, they tended to use all sorts of odds & ends putting together guns. A check of the serial number would provide a "born on date".
The serial number shows it to be a mid 1957 build [;)]0
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