Early (?) 14-3

[Crookedcreek]

I just committed to a LGS to pick up (tomorrow) what I think is an early example of a Model 14-3, based on the four digit serial number. But, as I am learning dating a Smith can be perplexing. This one is a 6" barrel, standard hammer and trigger, Magna stocks, Patridge front sight. Excellent condition, no cylinder turn line (that I saw anyway!).
Serial number 1K43XX. Does that make it 'early', or do the prefix combinations 'jumble' things up a bit? I'm guessing mid -late 1960's(???).
BTW, gun only...no box!

 

[daddio202]

Looks like 1K1 to 1K39500 were made in 1970. Excellent time frame for shooters. I have 2 model 14-3's. One 6 inch the other 8 inch barrel. Great guns.

 

[Crookedcreek]

Looks like 1K1 to 1K39500 were made in 1970. Excellent time frame for shooters. I have 2 model 14-3's. One 6 inch the other 8 inch barrel. Great guns.

Thanks for the info!
BTW, that same LGS also has a 'Wolf & Klar' HE in 44 Special, Nickle plated, didn't check barrel length..but 4" or 5". Appears to be in excellent original condition. LGS says they have a factory letter. Consignment gun with a $6500 price tag....wow!

 

[JP@AK]

Crookedcreek

As daddio202 stated, your Model 14-3 K-38 Masterpiece is from 1970. Since the Model 14-3 was introduced in 1967, yours would not qualify as an early example.

Note also that your serial number has five digits, not four. The 1 in front of the K counts. When the K numbers reached K999999, S&W began putting one of the digits before the K. It still counts as a digit, since with one digit before the K, the most that could follow it would be five, for a total of six digits.

 

[Crookedcreek]

Crookedcreek

As daddio202 stated, your Model 14-3 K-38 Masterpiece is from 1970. Since the Model 14-3 was introduced in 1967, yours would not qualify as an early example.

Note also that your serial number has five digits, not four. The 1 in front of the K counts. When the K numbers reached K999999, S&W began putting one of the digits before the K. It still counts as a digit, since with one digit before the K, the most that could follow it would be five, for a total of six digits.

Thanks Jack, I learned something new today...happens a lot! So, in 1970 they made 139500 K frame guns (1K1 through 1K39500), or do (did) they use that S.N. series across multiple model numbers? That's like 382 guns per day, every day of the year, or am I still missing something and 'normal math' don't work when it comes to S&W serial numbering?

 

[JP@AK]

Models 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 48 and 53 all were assigned K prefix serial numbers.

In 1970, the following groups of K prefix serial numbers were used:
K946392 to K999999
1K1 to 1K39500
2K1 to 2K22037

It should be obvious from this that serial numbers were not used in sequential order. For example, 2K numbers were used over a period of three years; 1970-1972. 1K numbers were used in 1970 and 1971.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I bought my mod 14-3 middle of 2000-s.

A coworker had a 14-3 and needed a bull bar for his car. I knew of one for a good price so I bought it and swapped it for a revolver.
6Kxxxx / 1974
Mod 14 is a common revolver model here, therefore really cheap, EUR 100 - 300.
Really hard to find a buyer who wants one.

 

[Crookedcreek]

Picked mine up today. It's about 100%, don't see much evidence of being fired, not a mark on the recoil shield, but it has been 'opened' enough that the rear locking pin(?) has worn through the blue. Cylinder chambers look to have some dried lube/oil...needs to be cleaned! No wear on the hand or ratchet. Stocks show no 'use'.