Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece .38 Special, 4 inch, Polished Blue (Pre-Model 15, 1956)
This 1956 Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece is a pre-model-number example later designated the Model 15. It features the classic K-frame six-shot .38 Special configuration with a 4 inch tapered, pinned barrel, polished blue finish, and adjustable sights. The four-screw frame, unshrouded ejector rod, and color-casehardened hammer and trigger mark it as a correct mid-1950s Combat Masterpiece.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Minor, superficial scratches and blemishes are present. The bore is clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece revolver
Built on the K-frame, this six-shot .38 Special retains key Combat Masterpiece features from the period. It has a 4 inch tapered barrel that is factory pinned, an unshrouded ejector rod, and a grooved topstrap and barrel rib for glare reduction and sight alignment. The 1956 manufacture date places it squarely in the four-screw frame era with the trigger-guard screw present and the upper sideplate screw deleted.
The revolver is constructed of carbon steel throughout, finished in a polished blue on the frame, barrel, cylinder, and receiver. The hammer and trigger show color casehardening, true to the model’s mid-century production details. Checkered walnut Magna stocks with standard S&W medallions and a diamond around the grip screw complete the period-correct grip profile.
Sighting equipment consists of a ramped, serrated front sight paired with a micrometer-click adjustable rear sight. The double-action/single-action mechanism reflects the Combat Masterpiece’s duty and target heritage, providing a familiar and controllable interface.
As a pre-Model 15 Combat Masterpiece from the 1950s, this example represents the configuration that set the template for later production. Made in the United States, it combines collectible correctness with classic S&W fit and finish.