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Midwinter Pistol Championships 1953 Trophy Smith & Wesson K-38 (Pre-Model 14) Target Masterpiece Dou

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:425.00 USD Estimated At:1,100.00 - 1,600.00 USD
Midwinter Pistol Championships 1953 Trophy Smith & Wesson K-38 (Pre-Model 14) Target Masterpiece Dou
The included factory letter confirms the serial number of this revolver and states that the revolver was shipped from the factory on February, 1953 and delivered to a factory sales manager. It was one of five revolvers taken to Tampa, Florida, as prizes for the 1953 Midwinter Pistol Championships. The right side of the revolver is engraved with the following inscription: "SMITH & WESSON / TROPHY / 1953 / NATIONAL / MIDWINTER / CHAMPIONSHIPS TAMPA, FLA. / CENTER FIRE AGGREGATE / EXPERT CLASS". The accompanying photocopied page from a 1953 American Rifleman magazine lists Guy C. Davis as high expert at the 1953 Midwinter Pistol Championships at Tampa, Florida and would have received this revolver as the top prize. Davis would go on to win the Citizens' Military Pistol Trophy in 1960 with a score of 287. The revolver has a Patridge front sight and an adjustable rear sight, with standard S&W markings on the barrel. The frame 5 screw is also marked with the S&W trademark on the left side and four line factory marking on the right. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and trigger and walnut grips with S&W medallions.
BBL: 6 inch solid rib
Stock:
Gauge: 38 S&W special
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: K140970
Condition: Very good.The revolver retains 95% original blue finish with some thinning to a brown on the barrel sides and trigger guard, with a number of small dings and scratches on the barrel and three small areas of minor pitting (cleaned with an abrasive material) and some minor spotting on the backstrap. There is a modest scratch on the left side of the frame. There is a prominent cylinder drag line. The hammer and trigger retain 95% original case colors fading a bit on the trigger. The grips are also excellent with some very scattered minor handling marks. Clear markings. Mechanically excellent.