Model 14-1 single action?

[gjamison]

I have a chance to buy a 14-1 single action. Target hammer,
target trigger and smooth target grips.

My question is, how can I tell if this is factory correct? I know
a letter from Mr Jinks would do it but I would like to know before
I buy it. Thanks

 

[RdrBill]

Sir.
The ones I have seen with factory boxes were all 14-3's. I would guess that the SCS&W would say when the SA only option came out. You could compare that date to the ship date of your gun.
Your gun may have been back to factory for a refit also. Any marks on frame that might signify factory rework.
Bill@Yuma

 

[murphydog]

I think you cannot tell for sure until the factory letter. If I recall correctly, the SAO parts could be seen if the seller lets you pull the sideplate, but they could have been retrofitted. Perhaps an agreement with the seller regarding a price adjustment if the letter shows it is not original can be proposed?

 

[Smith357]

Look at the hammer

Cock the hammer and look down the front of it. If there is an empty slot where the DA sear used to reside then it is definitely not a factory SA. Anyone can remove the DA sear to make a SA gun. True single action hammers are solid with no cut out for the DA sear. A factory SA will have a solid hammer, but... S&W also sold SA hammers separately. So if it has the DA hammer it's an after market modification, if it has an SA hammer then it may be factory, at that point the only way to know for sure is to get the letter.

 

[fyimo]

I agree with Bill that without the box and the information on the end label it would be impossible to tell without a letter. A lot of competition shooters back then modified their model 14 to single action only by either doing the work themselves or having their local gunsmith do it.
The single action only was availabe from 1961 to 1982 according to the book.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

In my humble opinion, any good-looking 14-1 would come home with me.
The dash one is a difficult gun to find if you are actually looking for it. The smooth grips and target trigger with the S/A makes me think it has a high possibility of being modified.

 

[bamabiker]

I'm with Me, if it's a good price buy it and worry about the details later.

 

[gjamison]

thanks guys