Model 14-3 SAO

[Rakkasan13F]

I know they're not everyone's cup of tea since they don't have the DA option, but I think this makes a nice addition to my collection.

A local auction house had an online firearms auction which ended yesterday. I'd gone to the preview last week to look over a few of the guns but didn't really pay too much attention to this one, as I already have several Model 14's (a K-38, and two 14-2's, actually-one of the 14-2's having the 3T's) and wasn't really looking to add another to the collection.

As it turned out, my bid of $400 won. With the buyer's premium, 3% CC fee, and $20 background check fee (I'm in TN, the state charges $10, the auction house charges $20 for the first, $10 for each additional gun on a 4473.), I paid $492, out the door.

Once I picked it up and got to looking it over more in-depth, I realized it's a single action only. Unfortunately, the factory box is missing the tag from the end, so I don't yet know if it's a factory SAO or if someone installed a conversion kit after the fact (or had a gunsmith do it without the kit). The serial number puts it as an early 70's gun, according to the SCSW 4th Edition.

I may end up forking over the money for a factory letter to determine if it left the factory as SAO. Either way, it looks pretty good (excepting the drag line) and I'm happy with what I paid.

 

[Truckman]

I may end up forking over the money for a factory letter to determine if it left the factory as SAO. Either way, it looks pretty good (excepting the drag line) and I'm happy with what I paid.

Even after paying for the letter, you'll be in it for a lot less than I paid for mine in similar condition......Ben

 

[jmiles1960]

Definitely a nice purchase! Congrats!

 

[JP@AK]

That is nice, Rakkasan13F, and the price was excellent.

If the serial number is in the 3K or 5K ranges, let me know the first three digits after the K and I can at least tell you if it is in the serial range of known factory -3 SAO units.

 

[Rakkasan13F]

That is nice, Rakkasan13F, and the price was excellent.

If the serial number is in the 3K or 5K ranges, let me know the first three digits after the K and I can at least tell you if it is in the serial range of known factory -3 SAO units.

It's 3K91192.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I have a 14-3 factory SAO with box, and it's my favorite centerfire handgun to shoot.

 

[JP@AK]

It's 3K91192.

Definitely in the correct serial range. Several have been identified in the 3K90000 range.

One in my collection is 3K91919. It shipped on August 24, 1973.

Yours is probably worthy of a letter.

 

[Rakkasan13F]

Definitely in the correct serial range. Several have been identified in the 3K90000 range.

One in my collection is 3K91919. It shipped on August 24, 1973.

Yours is probably worthy of a letter.

Thank you.

 

[Truckman]

If the serial number is in the 3K or 5K ranges, let me know the first three digits after the K and I can at least tell you if it is in the serial range of known factory -3 SAO units.

Jack, my SAO S/N is 5K55354...What are the odds of probability?......Ben

 

[hkcavalier]

That is nice, Rakkasan13F, and the price was excellent.

If the serial number is in the 3K or 5K ranges, let me know the first three digits after the K and I can at least tell you if it is in the serial range of known factory -3 SAO units.

Mine is 5K294xx...

 

[JP@AK]

Jack, my SAO S/N is 5K55354...What are the odds of probability?

Pretty good, I'd say.
5K391xx shipped in December, 1973.

Mine is 5K294xx...

Same with yours.

 

[Truckman]

Pretty good, I'd say.
5K391xx shipped in December, 1973.

Thanks, Jack...I'll letter it at some point......Ben

 

[6string]

I Love' em!

Very good thread on these interesting S&W single action target revolvers. I first heard of these when I was a kid. My dad gave me a copy of the "Guns & Ammo 1974 Annual" for Christmas, and in the catalog section at the back there was a section for "Single Action Revolvers". Amongst all the cowboy guns was the odd man out: the S&W model 14 Single Action. (See last image)
The price was $130, compared to $115.50 for the standard model.

I have a 14-3 in the s/n range 5k403xx.
Does that fall in the range for a factory SAO?

Mine has been shot very little! The faint turn line is probably just from me dry firing it for practice.

The guy I got it from thought it was broken and didn't know how/where to get it "fixed"! (I wonder how often that's happened??) I offered to "help him out".

TIP: In the photos, I have it wiped down with Camomile Oil from Japan. If it's good enough to preserve 400 year old samurai swords, it's good enough for any nice piece of steel I own!

 

[JP@AK]

I have a 14-3 in the s/n range 5k403xx.
Does that fall in the range for a factory SAO?

Well, yes, it is certainly possible.

The thing to keep in mind with all of my posts above is that, while we know ranges, that doesn't mean that all of the K-38 Masterpiece revolvers in that range were SAO. In each case, it takes a letter to know for sure. The fact that it is in the range increases the odds of originality. It guarantees nothing.

 

[jcelect]

SAO mod 14

A little help for those reading this thread! A picture is worth 1000 words!

A factory SAO hammer is not cut for the DA sear (note pic on bottom has the DA sear installed). For those that have a SAO 14 a possible answer to your question of it being original is the top pic is a kit that was sold as an aftermarket installation! Also, it is possible for Bubba to punch out the pin holding the DA sear in place which will produce a SAO gun!
jcelect

 

[DWalt]

Had a friend with a SAO M14. But with no box or letter, no way to tell whether it was made that way or was a later post-factory kit conversion. There may have been a reason why anyone wanting a SAO didn’t just simply remove the DA fly on the hammer but I don’t know what it might be.