14-3 4 inch Not a Dayton gun

[sackdaddy]

I am reaching out for some help in learning anything about this 14-3.

I have what seems to be an unusual (maybe rare) Model 14-3, 4 inch barrel. It all appears original, plus I have the original box which is marked 4" barrel.
The serial number 1k31xxx indicates it is a 1970 production, so falls between the Dayton guns and the 1995 police pistol team 14's. It has service stocks,standard hammer and trigger.

I checked the Standard Catalog, but there is no reference to this configuration. Can anyone help enlighten me?

Thanks,
Sackdaddy

 

[Old_Cop]

Is the barrel slim like a M15 or heavy like the Dayton model or like a cut down 6" which would be in between the first two?

 

[Toyman]

I had a 14-3 4 inch in the box serial number K939965 shipped September 1970 believed it shipped to dealer in California. Yours may be of the same era/batch as the one I had.

 

[sackdaddy]

Old Cop. It has a heavy barrel with a wide rib.

Toy an. I guess we have brothers, serial no. Is pretty close.

Thanks

 

[Toyman]

I believe that S&W used model 10 heavy barrels, milled front of the barrel to accept front sight and installed on model 14 frames.

 

[sackdaddy]

Thank you Toyman, the front sight is held in place with two pins, so the model 10 barrel explanation seems very likely.

Now on to the question of why.

Sackdaddy
SWCA 2093

 

[Old_Cop]

Scant evidence I know, but it seems that there were two or three instances of the use of the M10 heavy barrel in factory runs. I suggest that it would be worth obtaining a factory letter.

 

[mmande]

I have a 4" 14-3, 1K294XX, shipped Sept. 1971 per the factory letter from Roy. I don't have access to the letter right now so I don't know where it was shipped.
Mike

 

[Grayfox]

I have a 4" Model 14-3 Serial number 1K743XX that lettered as being shipped July 15, 1971 to Dave's House of Guns, Dallas, TX. The letter confirmed it left the factory with a 4" barrel. Mine has the medium weight barrel and the front sight is pinned as you describe your's.
Is your barrel right about the same diameter as the frame where it screws in or is it just slightly smaller in diameter? Also is the rib serrated? If it is smaller & serrated, your's may be part of the same run as mine.
Indications are that this was part of approximately 100 guns shipped to three big wholesale distributors in July, 1971. Olympic Wholesale, Los Angeles, Dave's House of Guns, Dallas and Gil Hebbard, IL. Its thought the they were a market test for this configuration. However, I have never been able to prove that as absolute fact.

If not, there may not be a why. Sometimes 4" Model 14s just happen for no particular reason.

 

[murphydog]

I have seen one, it had what appeared to be a 4" model 14 barrel (heavy, with serrated top rib). As noted above, the Dayton Sports guns had a model 10 style bull barrel. I recall it shipped to Gil Hebard in the same time frame mentioned above.

 

[sackdaddy]

Thanks to all for the information thus far.

To further describe, the frame is only very slightly (.028 inch) wider at the barrel rib, by just eyeballing it I would have called it the same size. The rib is serrated.
Barrel is .725 inch wide at frame and .68 inch at the muzzle. These are approx. as I'm using a plastic caliper.
I thought I would compare and the barrel configuration is the same as my 5" ISP K38, just an inch shorter, so I'm thinking it's definitely a K-38 barrel. Roll marks are centered.

Thanks again and any other information would be appreciated.

Sackdaddy
SWCA 2093

 

[Engine49guy]

The 1K serial prefix guns have the same barrel profile as the 6" Model 14's with serrated rib.
My 4" Model 14-3 is Serial 1K74318 Shipped July 1971 ,

On a side note if you compare them to the Model 15-5 and 15-6 they are nearly identical sans the barrel set pin.

 

[Bat Guano]

I remember a Border Patrolman with a government issued 4" Model 14, HB as I recall, around 1982 or so. Only one I ever saw or heard of, but in those far-off days in the Old Patrol anything was possible.

 

[RAPOM65]

Check out a thread titled "........STRANGE MODEL 14 ........" for more info and pics on the 4" Model 14-3s.

 

[linde]

Check out a thread titled "........STRANGE MODEL 14 ........" for more info and pics on the 4" Model 14-3s.

Here's the link . . .

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...ge-model-14-a.html?highlight=strange*model*14

Russ