Dayton 14-2 Hanen Special

[Shotguncoach]

I snuck this one out the back door while y'all were napping. Based on what I paid, my guess is that everyone else just glanced at it and thought it was a 15-2 and that the description had a typo. The barrel profile should have been a hint, but hey - I'm not going to complain.

According to Mike Priwer's article, this little jewel was part of the last batch of 197 guns. It will take a few weeks to get here. There will be many more photos and a range report as soon as possible. Here are some pics from the auction for now.....and yes, I did notice that the rear and middle sideplate screws have been swapped.

 

[Engine49guy]

The four inch 14-2 Hanen Specials ( aka Dayton guns) are a very interesting variation of the K38 Masterpiece.
I've managed to aquire three,
one from batch 1, onefrom batch 2 and one from batch 3.
All three are blue with standard hammer and triggers ,
The first two have numbered diamond PC Magnas, the third one has diamond walnut checkered targets.
These are unique guns that seem to combine the thicker heavier profile barrel from the Model 10HB or Model 13 without any barrel rib grooves then added a raised Patridge ramp.
I must have missed Mike Priwers article on them, but might offer that early post war 6" K38's had the narrow rib barrel that would be the style used on the 4" Combat Masterpiece but small batches of K38 Masterpieces were also made in 5" narrow rib profile as well as wide rib profile "Heavy Masterpiece" revolvers with barrels in 2", 4" and 5" lengths as well as the standard 6" and 8,3/8" lengths mentioned.

 

[CHARLIE699]

Great catch on a hard-to-find revolver. I've but one 14-2 "Hanen". It's a favorite! It resides with a younger 15-5 HB "Combat Masterpiece". Similar handling but your just cannot replicate that 1960's fit, finish & action.

 

[Rustywrench]

NIce Gun! thanks for sharing that information too.

 

[w8lfter]

Morning guys. Reviving and old thread I know. But as I read through this I had to wonder something looking at the ad from Dayton. Namely in 1965 why not just buy a model 19? The Hanen specials are unique and cool, and the small run items are fun. But for individual purchase it's $80 and $65 for the agency. The 19 had been out for years by then and offers you a heavy barrel k frame. I admit to never owning a Model 14 or 15 (blasphemous I know) so I'm likely missing something. Maybe it's not buying the .357 revolver as you'd never use the Magnum ability due to department regs.

Nate.

 

[Shotguncoach]

I think you probably hit the answer there at the end…policy makers were hesitant to allow officers to carry guns that were "magnums". Another example is the model 68: a .38 special version of the model 66 that was used in California.

 

[Vtgw938]

I have recently seen two of these come up, one with the box etc including the original receipt. It was interesting researching them and the one with the box would have been a nice package. It was a second run as I recall with diamond PC magnas. It went for under $1000 but with premium, tax and shipping would have been more than I wanted to spend on one. I had difficulty finding pricing as they don't come up often.

I agree, I would personally would prefer a M19 if I wanted more weight or a standard M15 to take advantage of the lighter weight. Fortunately we were issued M19's & magnum ammo.

 

[Engine49guy]

To the guy that collects 4" S&W target sight revolvers the 4" Hanen Special is an uncommon variation.
The 4" Model 19-2 is much more common than the 14-2 Hanen but the 4" Model 19-3 probably the most common variation of all Combat Magnums.
(Guessing that has something to do with duty use and having a fairly long production run in comparison).
On a side note the 19-3 would have continued up to 1980 had they not briefly experimented with moving the gas ring from the cylinder to the yoke around 1975-1976.

lMO the four inch 14-2 is a collectors gun and if found LNIB under $1500 a good buy, in high condition no box under $1200 an ok deal, under $1k a good deal and under $800 a steal.
In poor mechanical or cosmetic shooter condition it doesnt do anything a
15-3 wont do for half the cost.

After thought, never could understand why the initial run came standard with PC Magnas which have a tapered heel to assist in concealed carry, checkered target stocks make much more sense for a heavier duty weapon like its big brother the Combat Magnum but my guess taming magnum recoil was the deciding factor there.
Iirc the later run versions are sometimes found wearing original target stocks where first run guns are not so much.
Final thought,
Weird they put "faster on target ,new radial design" and " No holster snag" like a standard Model 15 would snag more , probably what Judge Judy calls "Puffing" aka sales hype.

 

[UFGator]

USSS last revolver carried was Model 19, 2.5" bbl. They were fired so much that .357 ammo was wearing them out. The .38 Special Treasury Load was adopted and issued until the Model was retired and the 9mm SIG was adopted until replaced by the 357 SIG. Now carrying Glocks which I personally don't understand.

 

[UFGator]

BTW, I have a Model 14 Hanen backed up by S&W letter plus the sales invoice to Hanen.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

I wish I had known about these when I was forced to carry a 4" .38 Spl.

I like the PPC style barrels.

 

[Engine49guy]

I wish I had known about these when I was forced to carry a 4" .38 Spl.

I like the PPC style barrels.

Curious what era (years) was that ?

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Curious what era (years) was that ?

1981-1989. Why?

 

[45Smashemflat]

Learn something new almost every day here!

 

[BC38]

So, the only difference between this 14-2 and a heavy barrel M15 the different profile of the barrel ribs?
The Baughman ramp sight is the same as a M15 right - rather than the Patridge sight that was standard for the M14?