Page 295 - 4095-BOOK3

293
LOT 3363
Scarce Special Order “Pinto” Finish Smith & Wesson
K-38 Combat Masterpiece “Pre-Model 15” Double Action Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial no. K280645, 38 S&W Special cal., 3 inch solid rib bbl., nickel/
blue finish, goncalo alves grips. Manufactured in 1956, this is a scarce and very attractive example
of Smith & Wesson’s K-38 Combat Masterpiece, also known as the “Pre-Model 15”, with the highly
collectible, special order, two-tone “pinto” finish. The included factory letter lists the revolver with a special 3
inch barrel, polished sights, and a two-tone finish when shipped to Jurek Bros. Inc. in Greenfield, Massachusetts
on 20 December 1956. These two-tone “pinto” finished revolvers were all special order and are very scarce making them
highly collectible. This example appears to be the first K-38 Combat Masterpiece “pinto” that we have cataloged here at Rock
Island Auction Company, though one other example is known, and is the inverse of this particular example. The barrel has the Smith &
Wesson marking on the left and the caliber marking on the right. The right of the frame has the trademark and four-line address. The matching serial number
is on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and bottom of the barrel. The inside of both grip panels are stamped “K”. The barrel and cylinder are finished nickel,
while the remainder of the revolver is blued. It is fitted with the typical ramped blade front sight with orange insert, adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of
smooth Goncalo Alves grips with “S&W” monogram medallions.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original blue finish and nickel plating with a few scattered very light handling marks and a light cylinder turn line.
The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A very scarce “Pinto” K-38 Combat Masterpiece with special-order
short barrel that will not be found in even the most extensive Smith & Wesson collections!
Provenance: The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
LOT 3362
Outstanding, Scarce, and Desirable Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver
with Factory Letter and Box - Serial no. 51008, 357 Magnum cal., 8 3/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1937, this is an outstanding, essentially benchmark example of the iconic Registered Magnum
from Smith & Wesson. Only around 5,500 Registered Magnums were made in total between 1935 and 1939, with
only 735 of them being produced with the long, 8 3/4 inch barrel. These revolvers were top-of-the-line when they were released and were the first
production revolver to chamber the powerful .357 magnum cartridge. The Registered Magnums were registered to the owner by Douglas Wesson himself, with each one being custom
built to the customer’s specifications and precisely hand fitted and tuned, all of which led to high production costs and the eventual discontinuation of the model. Due to the short
production run and low numbers made, these revolvers have remained incredibly desirable on the collectors market. The included factory letter with this example lists the revolver
with an 8 3/4 inch barrel, Call gold bead front sight, square notch rear sight, blue finish, checkered walnut magna grips, and that it was sighted in at 25 yards with a 6 o’clock hold.
Additionally it lists shipment to E.K. Tryon Co. of Philadelphia on 11 March 1937. Due to their high quality and custom specifications, these Registered Magnums were highly valued
among law enforcement, and they are regularly documented as shipped to lawmen. The revolver has the standard Smith & Wesson and caliber markings on the barrel, while the right
of the frame has the trademark and “MADE IN U.S.A.” The patent date is marked on the rear face of the hammer and trigger. The registration number “2005” is marked on the frame
under the crane. The serial number is marked on the butt, inside the ejector rod housing, and on the rear face of the cylinder. The matching assembly number is on the frame and
crane. The inside of the right grip panel is stamped “51008”. The top of the barrel rib and frame are matted with fine checkering. It is fitted with a Call gold bead blade front sight, an
adjustable notch rear sight, the swept back hammer, and the original pair of checkered walnut grips with “S&W” monogram medallions at the tops. Includes a correct factory box with
added label on the bottom hand-numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish with only the slightest handling evidence including a faint cylinder turn line. The grips are also excellent with only
the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with some light edge/corner wear. An incredibly high condition example of Smith & Wesson’s Registered
Magnum that could truly be a centerpiece in your collection!
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000