Model 14, 4" Barrel

[UFGator]

Trying to learn more about Model 14s with 4" barrel, patridge sight. A fellow locally has one for sale. Can anyone tell me anything about them. This one is a 14-2. Don't anything else about it at this point.

I'm familiar with the Model 14 in 6" but this is the first time I have seen one with a 4" barrel.

Thanks

 

[Combat]

Could be a "Dayton gun". Do a search on that, lots of info on the forum about them.

 

[Smith357]

The most well known 4" 14s are the special run of guns for the Dayton Gun Headquarters, Inc., of Dayton, Ohio. There are a few special order 4" 14s out there, yours sounds like it might be one of them with the patridge front sight. If I am recalling it correctly the Dayton guns were -2s but had a ramp front sight. hopefully someone who knows a lot more than me will chime in and be able to nail it down for you.

 

[moosedog]

Make sure that it's not a model 15 barrel that has been mounted on a 14-2 frame.
You'll be able to tell by the way the frame contour lines butt up with the barrel. I bought one like that last year and although it's a great shooter, it is not correct.

 

[Art Doc]

The Patridge sight makes me suspect the gun is modified, with the barrel cut down from 6". I think the 4" versions had ramp front sights. If you like the gun and it's priced as a shooter then buy it. If it's priced as a rare model, I would demand documentation of authenticity.

 

[UFGator]

Thanks for the information. I am going to take a look at it. The cut down barrel made me wonder too. That should be easy to tell. So will the possible Model 15 barrel but the patridge sight mucks up the equation. I did read about the Dayton guns and I believe they had a ramp on them with a heavy barrel??????? I will let you know what I find out.

 

[michael thornton]

i have a 14-1 with a 4 inch barrel the factory letter said it was sent back to the factory for the 4 inch barrel it has the partrige front sight, it is marked afpg air force premiom grade and it is a hell of a shooter!

 

[Bat Guano]

Years ago while on detail one of the border patrolmen had a 4" Model 14 so marked in the frame, as an issued weapon. Don't remember much about it but I think it had the ramp front sight. He was rather fond of it and aware that they were somewhat scarce.

Odds are that it has been torched by now, thanks to DOJ policies on "obsolescent" weapons.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The most well known 4" 14s are the special run of guns for the Dayton Gun Headquarters, Inc., of Dayton, Ohio. There are a few special order 4" 14s out there, yours sounds like it might be one of them with the patridge front sight. If I am recalling it correctly the Dayton guns were -2s but had a ramp front sight. hopefully someone who knows a lot more than me will chime in and be able to nail it down for you.

Every Dayton "Hanen Special" I have seen has a Baughman ramp on ramp base.

For all intents and purposes, the distinguishing factors between a Dayton "Hanen Special" and an ordinary Model 14, apart from the barrel length, is the barrel profile and the front sight. Thus, it is not completely correct to say that the Dayton guns are simply 4 inch Model 14s or 4 inch K38s.

A Dayton gun has a super heavy barrel that looks like a Model 10 heavy barrel into which a flat has been machined at the front end to accomodate the ramp base and Baughman ramp front sight. That barrel and sight is then screwed into a Model 14 or K38 frame to create the "Hanen Special."

It is possible that a Dayton gun has had a front sight changed to a Patridge, but it is possible by a glance to tell if it ever was a Dayton Hanen Special by simply comparing the barrel profile and diameter. If it is as thick and fat as a Model 10 heavy barrel, it is probably a Dayton gun that has had the sight changed, otherwise, it is just a Model 14 or K38 with a special order barrel length (assuming it was done at the factory).

 

[UFGator]

Thank you for the info.....I guess it is safe to say, for the most part, that a Model 14 is either going to have a 6" barrel or if it is one of the Dayton guns, a 4" heavy barrel with the ramp front sight? I notice there are a couple of exceptions. I am going to see this revolver today. The owner says it belonged to a deceased police officer who was a bulls-eye shooter. I'm sure I will have more questions after I see it. I have only seen a picture so far. It is a handsome looking gun with the patridge sight.

More to follow!

 

[Smith357]

Thank you for the info.....I guess it is safe to say, for the most part, that a Model 14 is either going to have a 6" barrel or if it is one of the Dayton guns, a 4" heavy barrel with the ramp front sight? I notice there are a couple of exceptions. I am going to see this revolver today. The owner says it belonged to a deceased police officer who was a bulls-eye shooter. I'm sure I will have more questions after I see it. I have only seen a picture so far. It is a handsome looking gun with the patridge sight.

More to follow!

I saw a 4" 14 a while ago that was saved from a local pawn shop with the same basic story, my vague recollection is the officer was the armorer and went to S&W armorers school in Springfield. The gun turned out to be one of handful that he built at the plant for his police shooting team.

 

[UFGator]

OK, saw the pistol K5 range, 1964, logo on each side of the barrel is not centered, more towards front which leads me to believe the barrel was cut. Took the grips off and only found a number on the frame that didn't correlate to serial number. The serial number of the gun was on the underside of the barrel, looked like the numbers were individually stamped, where the ejector rod sets. The muzzle, patridge sight looked very professional. I couldn't tell the difference from the real deal although I didn't have a K frame with a patridge sight to compare it to.