One of my gun show partners asked me how I knew it was a Dayton gun. My response was "Well, it's a 4" 14-2 with RR/WO and it falls in the correct SN range." That was good enough for me when I bought it last year, but he just stared across the room and said nothing. Thinking I might get a similar response when I take it up to OGCA I requested a factory letter. I'm glad I'm a member of the SWHF because of the new price structure. I don't mind the extra $15 as the foundation does go0d work.
That's not wear on the muzzle, just reflection.
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Will report back when the letter arrives.

SWCA/SWHF

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	Dayton PD 001.jpg (215.1 KB, 161 views)
	Dayton PD 003.jpg (245.6 KB, 145 views)

There were a few factory 14-2s with cut-down model 14 barrels but the serial number range is a pretty good indicator since they were a reserved block for Dayton guns. The barrel profile, however, is a clincher for me.

In the pictures below . . . the left is a factory 4" 14-2 with the normal model 14 barrel profile . . . the right is a 4" Model 14-2 Dayton gun. Pretty distinctive difference.

Russ

Attached Images

	14-2 009.jpg (60.2 KB, 141 views)
	14-2 010.jpg (47.6 KB, 149 views)

I suppose there may have been some Dayton guns with the red ramp and white outline sights, But I don't recall seeing any. Mine is a quite early one SN K62352x that I bought in mid-1965. Unfortunately that was years before I assigned any value to packaging materials!

The real distinguishing features, as linde mentions, are the serial number and the barrel. The barrel is the same as used in the Model 10 Heavy Barrel, only cut for the ramp sight that is similar to that used on the Model 19. As you will see the Dayton barrel is simply sand-blasted on the top surface, no grooves or other ornamentation. The M-10 HB barrel is actually slightly larger in diameter than the Model 14 barrel.

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

The barrel is definitely correct for a Dayton gun. SN is K 623995,pretty low in the range. I will have to wait until the letter gets here for definitive information on the sights and stocks. SCSW,4th Ed. does mention the RR. The last time saw some was a couple years ago at OGCA. Can't remember the configuration though.

The Letter just arrived, and man that was fast. No more 4 month turn around. The good news for me is it is in fact a Dayton gun, SPL ORDER 1 13 65, but the bad news is some where down the line the checkered walnut stocks were replaced with smooth targets. Oh well. One of the nice things, as a member of the SWHF, I was provided with a copy of the S&W invoice of mine and all the other guns in that lot. For those of you who have not sent the money to the Historical Foundation for membership, I urge you to do so. They do great work.

I love the subtitle on the S&W letter head. "The Thoroughbred of the Handgun World".

BTW, $48.50 for blue and $51.56 for nickel, wholesale. Times have changed.