Is this a K-38?

[Evil Dog]

Bought this a few years back at a local gun store.... it was represented as being a K-38.  Didn't give it much thought at the time, but am starting to wonder now.  It appears to be a standard K-Frame, blued with a 6" non-tapered barrel with an integral rib on top.  No shroud on the ejector rod.  Square back partridge sights.  The right side of the barrel is marked "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG." the left side of the barrel is marked "SMITH & WESSON".  The hammer is slightly flared and upswept where the thumb would be placed on it.  I do not see the usual "mod" mark when the cylinder is swung out.  Instead it is stamped "58 2 85" on both the frame and crane.  The barrel is pinned and there are 5 screws, 4 on the side plate and 1 in front of the trigger guard. The serial number "K 2226XX" is stamped on the bottom of the grip frame and on the barrel under the ejector rod.

Is this actually a K-38?  Any idea when it might have been made?

Would sure appreciate any help.

[Graybeard]

Yes I believe it likely is, photos would help some in identifying it. The K38 is the Model 14 and was available with 4", 6" and 8-3/8" barrels. I want to say that I recall the 4" version being called a Model 15 rather than 14 like the .22LR version in which the longer barrels are the Model 17 and the 4" is a model 18.

The older ones came with a pinned barrel and the later ones dropped the pinned barrel feature and went to crush fit threads to hold the barrel in place. Some of the very oldest ones might not have a model number assigned but I've not personally seen one without it.

[Hammerdown]

[quote The serial number "K 2226XX" is stamped on the bottom of the grip frame and on the barrel under the ejector rod.
][/quote]

Hello
According to the serial number you Provided it appears the gun you described is a K-38 made in 1954. Bill is correct in Part of his response, But I can add a Little more about this model. The K-38 is the companion gun to the K-22 and the K-32. These were made to be the Premium S&W target guns and all weighed the same and Looked alike other than the caliber differences. Yours is not marked as a Model 14 in the Crane area as this did not start until 1957 and yours is before that therefore it is considered a Pre-Model 14. They had a Patridge front sight and adjustable rear Micro sights. They had a 6" Barrel. They also made a single action model 14 but these are rare and seldom seen. There were very few model 14's produced with a shorter 4" Barrel and some were shipped to the Air Force Shooting teams for competition and marked USAF Just above the trigger guard, and were made for The Air Force shooting Teams. The Other model 14's with a 4" barrel were the special run of "Dayton Outdoor Sport's" revolvers made between 1965-1968. They made 2038 of those, and they had the heavy barrel in 4" form,  with Baughman quick draw front sights and you could have ordered them with any combination of Trigger's, Hammers, & grips. Mine came with the standard trigger & Hammer and Target grips as shown. Most seen this way are thought to be model 15's as all model 15's came with the shorter 4" Barrel and Baughman sights. You could have ordered Nickel or Blued and fewer were made in Nickel. Your revolver is a Pre-14 and is a very prized accurate revolver. They were the Most accurate Target revolver S&W ever made. Here is a Picture of my model 14-2 with the Original add ran back in 1965 to attract sales. I hope this helps, Hammerdown

[Evil Dog]

Thank you very much for your replies, they are extremely helpful.  I was especially curious about there being no model number stamped in the crane area, had never run across that before.  This one is a definite keeper.

[Hammerdown]

Thank you very much for your replies, they are extremely helpful.  I was especially curious about there being no model number stamped in the crane area, had never run across that before.  This one is a definite keeper.

Hello
One thing to keep in Mind about S&W's is, if they do not have a model number stamped into the crane area they are before 1957. They also will be either a 4 screw or 5 screw gun and have Pinned barrels as well as the Pinned barrel went away in 1982. If they are magnum caliber's they will also have their cylinders recessed prior to 1982. The Only other S&W with a recessed cylinder will be their K-22 Line which covers the Model 17, 18 and 48. Keep in mind all pre- stamped models are worth a Little more due to High consumer demand for the Older options as well. Regards, Hammerdown