M14-2 w/ 4-in Barrel and Patridge Sight

[trigger945]

Hi all, hope all is well.

I have been looking for a variant and finally found one: a 4" Model 14. This one has a patridge front sight and an adjustable all-black rear sight. Serial # is K550444 and the S&W Catalog dates it as a 1963 gun. However, the section on Model 14 does not categorize this specific variant. I also searched and could not find (or easily find) info on this. So, I need help.

Here are some additional specs:

Standard trigger (not target)
Standard hammer (not target)
Pinned barrel
Grips are not original to the gun (SN does not match)
"444" stamped on the underside of the barrel, which could be the last 3 digits of the gun's SN
No "AFPG" stamp
Markings appear to be appropriate for a 4-in barreled gun (i.e., the barrel does not appear to have been longer and then eventually cut to 4 inches)
No other markings except for some (that I believe to be) production numbers

Here are my questions:

1) Is this a heavy barrel model? I don't think so but want some confirmation from people who know more than I do
2) What variant exactly is this?

See attached photos (apologies for the poor quality - I went during my lunch break, so time was short, and the fella who helped was also eating his lunch).

Thanks in advance for the help.


SW 14_1.jpg


SW 14_2.jpg


SW 14_3.jpg


SW 14_4.jpg


SW 14_5.jpg

[trigger945]

Here are some additional photos:

SW 14_6.jpg


SW 14_7.jpg


SW 14_8.jpg


SW 14_9.jpg


SW 14_10.jpg

[Drm50]

I'm no expert but it looks like a cut off to me. It doesn't look like
a m15 barrel on a m14.

[markeb]

I think the barrel has been cut down. Look at the stamping on the barrel, not centered.
Few minutes late.

[19leben]

The 444 stamping on the barrel flat wasn't done by factory either. When Smith and Wesson was stamping serial number there, it was always the complete serial, and they also weren't doing this by -2 variant if I remember correctly.

Forgot to say, that's a really cool revolver!!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[JP@AK]

It has definitely had a barrel swap (or the original barrel was chopped). Lots of signs point to that.

Serial is too low for a Hanen Special anyway.

As for the specific variant, it has to be a Model 14-2. The extractor threads are left hand and the frame has only three screws. The serial number is on the high end for a 1963 gun, so it could have shipped in 1964.

[YeshuaIsa53]

I think someone had those three fours, 444, drive them to a 4" barrel; giving it four fours. Wonder what barrel that is from, or if it came with that specific barrel?

[Engine49guy]

Neat gun but IMO was originally a standard wide rib 6" that has been cut down at some point as crown does not appear to be factory.

Wondering how the front site ramp is attached to the barrel as no set pin is visible , guessing it is soldered on ?

Hanen specials had a heavy barrel profile with thinner rib without grooves , the front site was a long ramp base with Baughman front site.

Can you take some pics of the muzzle from the business end as well as of the rib where it meets the front site ramp ?

[gboling]

Where did you find it? The LAPD cut off a few about 1968. I have one. It has a definite tool mark on the muzzle crown.

[trigger945]

Thanks for the replies thus far. They are helpful, although the information that I am getting is a bit disappointing. I am okay with a not-so-special Model 14. I don't think I am okay with a Model 14 that has a barrel that was cut down from 6 inches to 4 inches, however. A factory Model 14 with a 4 inch barrel is what I want...

To reply to some posts, the gun is on consignment at Gun World in Burbank, CA and has not cleared the state-mandated 30-day hold. As such, I technically do not have the gun yet. It was set aside for me and I will do the paperwork in early May.

[stu1ritter]

I don't think I would be disappointed. Nice revolver. I have a 14-2 with a 5" barrel that when lettered comes back "open on company books", so no idea of how/where it was made. It is one fine shooter though. Shoot that puppy and see what you've got.

Stu

[trigger945]

I looked at the pictures again and also compared them to the pictures of my Model 15. Wow, I can clearly see that the markings are indeed not centered. I guess I was so biased initially and wanted it to be legit, but now, I agree that the barrel was cut off.

Thanks again for the help, folks. Have a good weekend!

[Engine49guy]

If you want a wide rib 4" k frame .38 look for a model 15-5, 15-6 or 15-7.