14-4 K38 info needed

[45acpnut]

Hello,
I was offered a like new 14-4 in box with papers. It’s the 6” model with the pinned barrel.
It also has the target hammer and trigger. Actually, the trigger has the widest show that I’ve seen. both are cased colored hardened.
Serial number is a 34Kxxxx number. Which, I think means 78-79.

So, here’s my big concern..........its’s single action only!!
And, it’s the lightest SAO trigger I’ve ever felt.

From what I read, SAO are on the 14-3 and much earlier. So, I’m not sure if it came this way as a special order or it’s been modified.
From what I can tell, the gun has hardly been shot. And, I see absolutely NO marks on the side plate screw heads.

Anyone have any thoughts? Is this a rare model?

 

[Bullet Bob]

Well, the Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson says single-action only variants were manufactured from 1961 to 1982, which would cover the -4 model 14. It also says they're worth more if you have a letter verifying it left the factory that way, since you could also buy the SA kit.

I wouldn't call them rare, but I see many people who call everything rare, so what do I know.

I have one, a -3, and it's a joy to shoot.

 

[daddio202]

You state in your post that it is new in the box. So if you could get a picture of the end label on box and post it here somebody may be able to tell if the codes shows evidence of SA from factory. Chances are if the gun looks absolutely brand new then it is still as it left factory. But they did sell the kits. Either way if the price is right I would buy it.

 

[45acpnut]

Hi, yes it is like new. It hasn’t been shot much. But, I’m just not sure if it’s factory. I think with the 34k serial number, that it’s outside of the run of SAO models. So, if it’s not factory I’d like to put it back to DA/SA.

Here are some pics.

 

[45acpnut]

Pics showing the items that came with it and the large target trigger. We’re these factory?

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...hard to not like a six inch target S&W...

 

[andy52]

Yes those triggers are factory at .500 they were the widest triggers offered by S&W.
I'd be delighted to own that model 14, the ones I have I shoot single action 99% of the time anyway.

 

[andy52]

Here area couple of mine the upper one is a 14-2 from 1966 and has the same trigger as yours.
The bottom one is from 1949 and has a standard trigger and hammer.

 

[JP@AK]

Hello,
I was offered a like new 14-4 in box with papers.

Serial number is a 34Kxxxx number.

its’s single action only

1. 34K numbers were ALL issued in 1979.

2. Factory SAO K-38 Masterpiece revolvers were produced in the 14-2, 14-3 and 14-4 variations.

3. The SCSW says they were produced from 1961 until 1982. If true, that corresponds to the beginning of the -2 to the end of the -4. But, here is the fly in the ointment: in a conversation I had with Roy some years ago, he said the factory quit regular production of the SAO in 1978. He stated the same in a letter for one of my Model 14-3 SAO revolvers.

4. We can conclude that it is possible your revolver, made in 1979, was built as a factory SAO. If so, and Roy's date is more accurate than Jim Supica's, then your gun may have been a special order SAO.

Now, you could take daddio202's advice and post a picture of the end label. That might help, especially if it looks like this one:

It’s the 6” model with the pinned barrel.

Throughout its lifespan (1947-1982) the K-38 Masterpiece (AKA Model 14 beginning in 1958) came standard with the 6" barrel. There were a handful of special orders in both 4" and 5" and occasional odd runs of 4" guns for particular distributors. But with those exceptions, a K-38 Model 14 has a 6" barrel.

Also, the 14-4 was discontinued in 1982, the very year the barrel pin was eliminated. I've been collecting the K-38 for decades and I've never seen one without a pinned barrel. They might exist, but are about as common as chicken lips.

The bottom line is that you should buy the darned gun. I can't imagine you will be sorry you did.

 

[45acpnut]

Thanks for all the help. I’m definitely keeping this one. I haven’t measured the SAO trigger pull. But, it’s 1lb or less. The lightest I’ve ever felt. Almost too light. Regardless, she’s a beauty. And, for the price I gave.....well I almost feel bad. It was a true deal of the century.

The end of the box doesn’t have a label. Not sure if that means the box isn’t the one that came with it or if the label came off. So, I’ll probably get with S&W to try and find out the story on it.

 

[JP@AK]

I sorta like the K-38.

Here is a sampling of the units that call my address home. More than half of mine have never had their pictures taken.

Here is a very nice Model 14-2 (ANIB) that came out of the factory in 1967 (stocks in the picture are not original).

Finally, here's one from 1947 with the original narrow rib. This one is among my favorite revolvers.

OOOPS! Forgot to add that, in the upper photo, the fourth and fifth guns from the top are factory SAO.

 

[mmande]

"I haven’t measured the SAO trigger pull. But, it’s 1lb or less."
As always, make sure the hammer spring strain screw located under the grip adaptor is screwed in tight. The trigger rebound spring may have also been changed to a lighter one. I have my SAO model 14 set up with a 2# pull and that is plenty light enough!
FYI: The helpful hints pamphlet did not come with that vintage of 14-4 so that is a VERY nice bonus!
Enjoy;
Mike

 

[Green Frog]

Just as a FYI, S&W also offered a DIY kit on the familiar blue cards So the shooter could do his own SA conversion, hence the concern about originality. Somewhere in my parts bins I’ve got one of those kits that a customer played with for a while then discarded. I wonder how it would work on one of my currently owned guns...Hmmmmm.

Froggie

 

[kscharlie]

...

2. Factory SAO K-38 Masterpiece revolvers were produced in the 14-2, 14-3 and 14-4 variations.

...

Jack, SAO was also available for the 14-1. When I bought mine, it had a very nice double action trigger. Imagine my surprise when the letter from Roy arrived informing me that it left the factory as a "Single Action Variation" on June 28 1961.

Since the -1 ended and the -2 began sometime during 1961, maybe I have one of only two factory SA 14-1s in existence.

 

[Waldo]

1. 34K numbers were ALL issued in 1979.

2. Factory SAO K-38 Masterpiece revolvers were produced in the 14-2, 14-3 and 14-4 variations.

3. The SCSW says they were produced from 1961 until 1982. If true, that corresponds to the beginning of the -2 to the end of the -4. But, here is the fly in the ointment: in a conversation I had with Roy some years ago, he said the factory quit regular production of the SAO in 1978. He stated the same in a letter for one of my Model 14-3 SAO revolvers.

4. We can conclude that it is possible your revolver, made in 1979, was built as a factory SAO. If so, and Roy's date is more accurate than Jim Supica's, then your gun may have been a special order SAO.

Now, you could take daddio202's advice and post a picture of the end label. That might help, especially if it looks like this one:

Throughout its lifespan (1947-1982) the K-38 Masterpiece (AKA Model 14 beginning in 1958) came standard with the 6" barrel. There were a handful of special orders in both 4" and 5" and occasional odd runs of 4" guns for particular distributors. But with those exceptions, a K-38 Model 14 has a 6" barrel.

Also, the 14-4 was discontinued in 1982, the very year the barrel pin was eliminated. I've been collecting the K-38 for decades and I've never seen one without a pinned barrel. They might exist, but are about as common as chicken lips.

The bottom line is that you should buy the darned gun. I can't imagine you will be sorry you did.

Sir, I do not want to argue with someone that has been collecting K-38s for decades. I may have misread your answer. I am pretty sure I have and 8&3/8" barrel Model 14 in the safe.

 

[JP@AK]

Sir, I do not want to argue with someone that has been collecting K-38s for decades. I may have misread your answer. I am pretty sure I have and 8&3/8" barrel Model 14 in the safe.

Mea Culpa. You are absolutely correct.

I always forget about the "rifle version" of the K-38 Masterpiece.

The Model 14 (late no-dash) became available with the 8 3/8" barrel in about 1959. It was always a minor production item, but it was cataloged.

It is not an excuse for the omission, but I was entirely focused on the shorter variants (4" and 5") that were never cataloged. Thank you for the corrective note.