Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece Pre-Model 15, Five-Screw, .38 Special, 4-inch, Blued
This early K-38 Combat Masterpiece is a pre-model, five-screw K-frame from 1950–1951, predating Smith & Wesson's model numbering and serving as the direct ancestor of the Model 15. It features the period-correct 4-inch tapered barrel with serrated rib, S&W micrometer-adjustable rear sight, and Baughman ramp front sight. The blued finish, casehardened hammer and trigger, and diamond-checkered walnut Magna grips with S&W medallions round out a configuration closely associated with mid-century police and USAF use.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This firearm is in great shape for its age. The blued finish shows numerous scratches and blemishes, with scattered spots of pitting.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece revolver
This pre-Model 15 Combat Masterpiece retains the desirable five-screw frame and square-butt configuration that define early K-frame production. It also carries the unshrouded ejector rod and serrated topstrap details typical of this 1950–1951 period.
The 4-inch tapered barrel with serrated rib pairs with S&W's micrometer-adjustable rear sight and Baughman Quick-Draw ramp front sight for a precise, duty-ready sight picture. The setup is correct for the era and aligns with the Combat Masterpiece's intended role.
Construction is classic S&W: a carbon steel K-frame with a blued finish, complemented by a casehardened hammer and trigger. The grips are period-correct walnut Magna panels, checkered with a diamond around the screw and fitted with S&W medallions.
As an early example that predates S&W's 1957 model-number system, this revolver sits at an interesting crossroads of production history. It is directly tied to the lineage of the Model 15 and has well-documented mid-century police and USAF associations.