Does this front sight look correct for a 1966 14-2? Never seen one like this but I am new to S&Ws. The trigger on this is impressive. Thanks in advance.

Dave

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Since the Model 14 is also called the K-38 Target Masterpiece, the vast majority had Patridge (squared off) front sight and plain black adjustable rear sight and a 6 inch barrel. They could be ordered with different sights than standard. That sight appears to be a S&W Red Ramp front sight which would usually be paired with a white outline rear sight. The sights could be changed after the gun was made but in the picture it looks like it could be original. The 6 inch barrel was standard. Factory 4 inch barrels are rare and factory 5 inch barrels are very rare. I can't tell what length the barrel is in your picture. The only way to know for sure how the revolver was configured when it left the factory is to get a letter from the S&W factory which I believe costs $50. As you have noted, the single action triggers on these revolvers are usually light and crisp. The excellent trigger along with the heavy barrel and light 38 Special target loads make the Model 14 an absolute joy to shoot.

Yes, you're right, the rear sight in outlined in white. Thanks very much for your help.

In this time period the sight ramp pins would have been polished flat and difficult to see. The round end pins are a good indication the front sight and ramp have been replaced, and very likely by the factory. There is a good chance an order for a K-38 with RR Baughman front and WO read slide was received and there wasn't one in stock. A standard K-38 was pulled from the warehouse, sight changed, and it was shipped. If this is the case a factory letter may or may not indicate these as original sights.

I was about to write something like that! Thanks for saving me the effort!

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Tony

very interesting, thanks. You guys are a wealth of knowledge

I really enjoy my 14-3. It shoots quite well. Would hate to ever part with it! Bob

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Nice gun bananaman!

Is your 14-2 a 6" barrel ?
Can you post close up pics of the front site ramp pins from both sides ?

The Model 14 was actually called the K-38 "Masterpiece" except for a few years from around 1950 to 1955 when there were two versions and the wider rib was called the K-38 "Heavy Masterpiece", My guess is people add the word "Target" to help distinguish it from the Model 15 "Combat Masterpiece" .

Factory pins are domed like yours are in the pic, a front ramp replacement usually leaves telltale marks on the pins but Im skeptical it began life as a Patridge because those use one set pin through the rib where the Baughman utilizes a longer ramp base and has two.

If your gun was pulled from inventory and had a Baughman long ramp added before shipment it most likely would letter as having shipped that way IMO, If it was converted after it left the factory it would not.

I'll get them this afternoon, thanks

6 inch barrel.

Muzzle 1.jpg

Muzzle 2.jpg

Muzzle 3.jpg

Thank you

Here's an example of the sight prior to install. At one time, these sights were available from the parts department.

Now if I could just find an old, tight model 14 to put under it.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

For the period revolver OP's is from this is not correct. The round end pins stopped sometime in the early 1950s as original. After that the only time the domed pins are found is when the original pins have been removed for some reason such as replacing the front sight.

The remainder of your statement is also flawed based on my own guns. Just among pre-model numbered the following is observed:

Early 1950s K-22, one-piece sight & ramp, single pin, ends polished flat. Patridge.

1955 .357, One-piece ramp and sight, Baughman. 2 pins polished flat.

Early 1950s "Outdoorsman", 2-piece sight & ramp. Ramp has 2 pins polished flat, separate front Patridge blade pinned into ramp. Single pin, domed ends.

1946 K-38, Original domed Call gold bead Patridge sight, blade and ramp one-piece, single domed pin retains sight.

1964/65 1st batch Hannen Special 14-2, similar time frame to OP's gun (maybe), probably earlier. Baughman front sight retained by 2 pins with the ends polished to match the rib contour, next to impossible to see!

So you can see your assertion that original sight pins of the period of OP's revolver is erroneous.

A Model 14 or 17 with a Baughman FS could be special ordered from S&W for a slight fee but they would also do post purchase mods as well ,
Either way its a cool gun as Baughman FS Model 14's are not common,
On a side note I passed on a Model 17-2 with this setup years ago and still regret it.

In order to retrofit a longer Baughman ramp the channel cut in the barrel rib would need to be lengthened and a second cross pin added although it does appear that they could probably still use the old fwd pin hole ,

Pics are a bit blurry but what makes me suspicious is the area around the rear pin hole that is missing a little blueing right around the set pin (Metal in the raw), Also the fit of the ramp blade to the rib grooves looks ever so slightly high... slightly.... could also just be the lighting.

I suspect the work was done at S&W because the domed pins are not flattened but the bigger question is did it ship originally with the Baughman or was it sent back and modified after it left the factory ?

If I had to wager my bet would be it was returned to the factory for the mod mostly because I believe back in those days S&W would not have shipped it with the slight blems around the rear set pin hole if it was custom ordered that way prior to being shipped,
Of course a complete reblue for that little mark might not have been warranted either.

If it were mine that one would warrant a $50 factory letter...
Again either way its a very interesting Model 14-2 !

ALK you are forgetting Rule number 1 with S&W that there are no rules with S&W , IMO "Proud" (domed) FS pins were in occasional use on K frames up to 1969 depending on who was mounting the FS ramps that week (Again IMO).
The 27-2 and 19-2 pictured below both serial to 1966 and both have "Proud" FS pins :


Pictured below is a 19-3 that shipped in 1969 with "Proud" FS pins:

Looks like I will get the letter, thanks everyone for their time.

Got the Jinks letter, it states that, "the records indicate that this revoler was shipped with a 6 inch barrel equipped with a red ramp front sight. white outline rear sight..."