Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this double-action revolver built on the square butt K target frame with 5-screws, for a penny-start auction; this is the Smith & Wesson K-38 Masterpiece “Pre-Model 14”!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: K-38 Masterpiece “Pre-Model 14”
Serial: K181478
Date of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 6" Pinned Barrel with Narrow Rib
Optics/Sights: Patridge Blade Front with Micrometer Click Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Magna Style Diamond Walnut Grips with S&W Medallions
Action: Double/Single-Action Revolver
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Smith & Wesson K-38 Masterpiece, often referred to as the “Pre-Model 14,” is one of the most respected target revolvers ever produced, representing the pinnacle of mid-20th century revolver craftsmanship. Introduced in the late 1940s on the K-frame, the revolver was chambered in .38 Special and specifically tailored for precision shooting. It featured a 6-inch barrel, micrometer-adjustable rear sight, and a crisp single-action trigger pull, making it highly accurate and favored by competitive shooters, police marksmen, and firearms enthusiasts alike. Built during an era when Smith & Wesson emphasized hand-fitting and traditional quality control, the K-38 Masterpiece exemplified durability and elegance in equal measure. Its finely tuned action and balance were praised for delivering both mechanical consistency and intuitive pointability, allowing shooters to wring out the maximum performance from the .38 Special cartridge. The term “Pre-Model 14” is used by collectors to describe these revolvers made before Smith & Wesson’s 1957 transition to numerical model designations, after which the K-38 Masterpiece became the Model 14. These early guns hold particular historical and collector appeal due to their superior fit and finish, deep bluing, and association with the golden era of American revolver competition. They represent not just a tool for target shooting but a piece of history, standing at the intersection of precision engineering and traditional revolver design. Collectors today especially prize revolvers with original grips, boxes, and documentation, as well as examples in high condition, which command significant premiums on the market. The K-38 Masterpiece “Pre-Model 14” remains a symbol of Smith & Wesson’s dedication to accuracy and craftsmanship, and it continues to be revered by those who appreciate classic American revolvers built with uncompromising attention to detail.
Contents:
Model: K-38 Masterpiece “Pre-Model 14”
Serial: K181478
Date of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 6" Pinned Barrel with Narrow Rib
Optics/Sights: Patridge Blade Front with Micrometer Click Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Magna Style Diamond Walnut Grips with S&W Medallions
Action: Double/Single-Action Revolver
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Smith & Wesson K-38 Masterpiece, often referred to as the “Pre-Model 14,” is one of the most respected target revolvers ever produced, representing the pinnacle of mid-20th century revolver craftsmanship. Introduced in the late 1940s on the K-frame, the revolver was chambered in .38 Special and specifically tailored for precision shooting. It featured a 6-inch barrel, micrometer-adjustable rear sight, and a crisp single-action trigger pull, making it highly accurate and favored by competitive shooters, police marksmen, and firearms enthusiasts alike. Built during an era when Smith & Wesson emphasized hand-fitting and traditional quality control, the K-38 Masterpiece exemplified durability and elegance in equal measure. Its finely tuned action and balance were praised for delivering both mechanical consistency and intuitive pointability, allowing shooters to wring out the maximum performance from the .38 Special cartridge. The term “Pre-Model 14” is used by collectors to describe these revolvers made before Smith & Wesson’s 1957 transition to numerical model designations, after which the K-38 Masterpiece became the Model 14. These early guns hold particular historical and collector appeal due to their superior fit and finish, deep bluing, and association with the golden era of American revolver competition. They represent not just a tool for target shooting but a piece of history, standing at the intersection of precision engineering and traditional revolver design. Collectors today especially prize revolvers with original grips, boxes, and documentation, as well as examples in high condition, which command significant premiums on the market. The K-38 Masterpiece “Pre-Model 14” remains a symbol of Smith & Wesson’s dedication to accuracy and craftsmanship, and it continues to be revered by those who appreciate classic American revolvers built with uncompromising attention to detail.
Contents:
This example will ship with the leather holster as pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
