Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Value of a k38 masterpiece?

I was wondering if anyone could help me determine the value of this smith and wesson K38 masterpiece 6 inch barrel. Manufactured in April 15, 1955. I would say the condition to be 98 percent maybe better. I have the original box, however it had some straping tape wraped around it and dried to the box. It really is a beautiful weapon. I hope the link works (first time posting)

http://s1073.photobucket.com/albums/w385/tduckett1/?track=share_email_album_view_click

can't really help you with the value....someone here will....but that thing is gorgeous for sure...looks like the blue is an inch deep.....

Thank you, it doesn't come out much. Forgot I had it for awhile (ha). I hope one day to replace it with something I can shoot. I am to worried about idiot marks and my ability to make them to take it out much. It would be better off with someone who wanted it as part of a collection.

I would go $550.

Your K-38 is a beauty. I have one just like it, except it is a 3-screw, and it is a great shooter. In that condition I'd say supercrewd is pricing it about right at $550.00 asking price. I definitely would not go below $450.00 selling price.

That is a beautiful revolver that I'd feed standard pressure lead alloy bullets for the rest of my life. So used, that K-38 would out-live me, my son, and my younger grandson. One thing is sure, anyone who shoots it has no excuses for a less than stellar group!

THE K-38 TARGET MASTERPIECE
- .38 S&W Special cal., double action revolver built on the square butt K target 5 screw frame, this original postwar Model has a 6 in. barrel with a narrow rib, 1/8 or 1/10 in. Patridge front sight with the new micrometer click rear sight, blue finish. The narrow ribbed barrel has markings of "38 S&W Special CTG" on the right side, "Smith & Wesson" on the left. 6 shot fluted cylinder with a nominal length of 1.56 in., anti-backlash trigger with adjustable stop, short cocking action, .375 in. short throw hammer, checkered Magna style diamond walnut grips with S&W monograms, K serial prefix. A large S&W monogram is stamped on the sideplate. 6 groove Serrated backstrap and forestrap, Companion gun to the K-32 and K-17. Became the Model 14 in 1957. Weight -38.5 oz. Introduced at serial K 1661. Mfg. circa 1946-1957
Grading
100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
N/A $650 $550 $450 $400 $350 $300 $275 $225 $185 $135 $100
The major distinction between the K-38 Target Masterpiece and the K-38 Combat Masterpiece is the barrel length and front sight.

Thanks T Lee and the rest of you all. Looks like it is around a 550 kind of gun. Might take it out this weekend and put a couple down range to see if I will miss her to much.

It is a truly classic revolver and every handgunner worth his salt should own one. If you keep it and shoot it and take care of it, it will maintain its value. It won't go down in value unless you abuse it.

Just to make it a fair deal for both of us, I am filling out the check for $500 to include shipping. Where should I send it?

Help a buddy out!

In that condition with the box you would have no trouble getting $600+ in this area. Beautiful example you have there.

Thanks for the help with pictures. Little new at the posting. $600.00 seems better. It will help to ease the soul if I end up letting her go.

I am seeing S&W revolvers like this sell for 25-50% above the book values listed above. This one sold for $750 on S&W forum.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/244089-wts-6-k38-target-masterpiece-1954-5-screw.html

Not as nice as yours,no box.

It is sweet, it will only get more valuable if you hold on to it....

I think it's worth every bit of $750, probably closer to $1000, as a five screw in that condition is rare.

Looks like a 4 screw, I think I see a screw in the trigger guard. It's not a 5 screw.

As new in the box, I'd guess $700-750. That's consistent with the Blue Book.

I have one, but not in that shape. I bought it new for $81.00 in the early '60's and shot it a lot. I finally sent it back to S&W for a refinish and haven't shot it that much since.

DF

DF, I presumed a five screw as I recall the last of the five screws (with some exceptions that lasted until the late 50s) were shipped in 1956. I'm with you, as you can see the screw at the front of the trigger guard. May OP can show a pic of the sideplate...I may indeed be wrong on 4 vs 5.

I think the Blue Book is lagging these high condition Smiths, from what I've seen on the market lately.

The four screw models are my favorite (maybe because I don't have one, and have kicked myself for passing years ago on some really nice ones) - superb finish, fit, and the ejector rod thread was changed to left hand twist to help keep it from shooting loose.

DF - I missed the picture of the sideplate above - you are certainly right. Casts some doubt on model dating, at least for me.

I agree that the Blue Book can be behind the market and it takes them a while to take up the slack, especially when a market makes a move.

I think high grade S&W's are sleepers. Colts went thru the roof, S&W's not so bad. Just look at a high condition Python. I personally like S&W's better, always have. I picked up a near mint Python years ago. It shoots really nice, but I never took a real liking to it. As the value rose to around $1,200-1,400, I was about to trade it when my son let me know how much he liked it. I gave it to him. Otherwise, it may have gone down the road, as it wasn't worth that much to me.

DF