Down the Rabbit Hole: Giving Attention to a Classic Smith & Wesson K Frame

More than 6 million K-­frame revolvers have been produced. Some accounts suggest the total number is closer to 10 million. This series of revolvers are built on a medium-­size frame that was first introduced in 1899, and the legacy continues to include current production variations: Model 10 and 19 Classic with no internal lock, the Model 17 Masterpiece, the Model 48 in .22 Magnum with 6-­inch barrel, the Model 66 ($999), and the Model 617 with either 4-­ or 6-­inch barrels in .22LR, not to mention Performance Center options.

A few years ago, I made a trade with my local gun store and accepted a vintage Smith & Wesson K-­frame to complete the deal. Until recently, it’s been in a safe. I talked myself out of purchasing a new gun and decided to redirect my changing interests to learn everything I could about it before evaluating its performance potential at the range.

The piece is a blued .38 with a 4-­inch barrel with checkered grips having a worn brass medallion. Marked under the square butt is the “C” prefix and serial number 1694XX. It doesn’t have the desirability of a World War II-­era Victory model — which would have a “V” prefix — and I’ve heard some believe the “C” stands for “commercial.” In fact, Smith & Wesson resumed commercial production of the M&P at the end of World War II, continuing the serial number sequence from 1942. Smith & Wesson gave serial numbers an “S” prefix on or about December 27, 1944, at around serial number S769000, according to Richard Nahas’ and Jim Supica’s “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.” The “S” series was produced until April 1948 when the 2 millionth revolver was completed, which featured a short-­throw hammer action.

The “C” prefix initiated the 3-­million production range of six-­digit serial numbers starting on March 22, 1948. It was followed by the “D” series that was used until another million revolvers were completed in 1967. Knowing this, I first determined that my C-­series K-­frame was produced between 1948 and 1967. Of course, Smith & Wesson assigned a numerical naming convention to the M&P revolver in 1957, calling the M&P .38 the “Model 10” in 1957. Subsequently, my revolver was referred to as a “Pre-­Model 10,” which were made between 1948 and 1957.

We also know that the front sight changed from a round blade to a ramp-­type blade in 1952, and that the upper sideplate screw was deleted in 1955. Given my pre-­Model 10 has a ramp-­type blade sight and no upper side-plate screw, I further narrowed the date of manufacture from 1955 to 1957. Being the serial number is less than C200000, I surmise that mine was made closer to 1955.

Rather than spending money on a new gun, I saved money this month by shopping for this revolver at Sarco. I found a S&W Victory and Model 10 Survival Pack containing hard-­to-­come-­by parts ($60), a U.S.-­marked M7-­style shoulder holster ($24) and hip holster ($24) that could be mounted to the military issue web belt or threaded on a gun belt. At the range, I found the shoulder holster was eminently useful. Draw-­to-­fire times producing an A-­zone hit at 7 yards averaged a respectable 2.34 seconds for both holsters, even with its 10-­pound, 5-­ounce, double-­action pull.

Group sizes at 25 yards from a benchrest were impressive, too, considering the sight. It averaged 2½ inches for five-­shots using surplus 158-­grain ammunition. With a single-­action trigger pull averaging 3 pounds, 11.2 ounces, I look forward to testing this revolver with some wadcutters. For the enjoyment this revolver has brought me, it cost me little. I wonder what other guns I’ve been neglecting! 

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