Nframe_is_no1
Member
My LGS took in some S&Ws from an estate. Included were two long barrel K-frames that I just couldn't resist. First up is an 8 3/8" model 14-3. I had to have this to complete my set of each barrel length of K-38 ( I had 2" and 4" model 15 and 6" model 14). I've been looking for the 8 3/8" for many years. Serial number is 6K66xxx, dating it to 1975. Looked barely fired. I've read that the 8 3/8" model 14 is hard to find. I'm not sure how true that is. I have $649 + tax in it. Here it is:
The other one I took home is an 8 3/8" model 48-2 in .22 magnum. Serial number 6K4xxx, dating it to 1974. Paid a little more for this, $849 +tax, but didn't care because I've only ever seen one other in 8 3/8", also these seem to bring more according to what I've seen. I don't think there are many of these around either. Here's the 48:
Some interesting things about the model 48: I had no extraction issues in test firing, dispite the fact that I've seen it reported quite frequently with the model 48, even on this forum. Also, this gun is marked 48-2, but it is clearly a -3 because the screw holding down the rear sight assembly is over the barrel shank and not over the barrel/cylinder gap. Moving the screw forward of the barrel/cylinder gap was the -3 engineering change.
Here's where it really gets weird. Oddly enough, I have another 48-2 in 4" from 1972. (It has never given me extraction issues either.) It is also mis-marked in the same way as a 48-2. It's clearly a -3 as well because, like my 8 3/8" example I just acquired, the rear sight screw is over the barrel shank and not over the barrel/cylinder gap either. What is the chance of finding two of these mis-marked in the same way? Perhaps they didn't bother to update the stamp because 48s were slow sellers? Strange.
Here is a family photo with all of my 8 3/8" K-frames together. I acquired a 17-3 with 3 Ts some years ago which started it all and fueled my addiction to pick up these two to complete the set. I think I have all the non-lugged 8 3/8" K-frames unless the pre dash 4 model 16 (.32 S&W Long) was offered in 8 3/8". I don't think it was but correct me if I'm wrong.
From top:
Model 17-3 (3Ts, 1977)
Model 48-2 (1974)
Model 14-3 (1975)
The other one I took home is an 8 3/8" model 48-2 in .22 magnum. Serial number 6K4xxx, dating it to 1974. Paid a little more for this, $849 +tax, but didn't care because I've only ever seen one other in 8 3/8", also these seem to bring more according to what I've seen. I don't think there are many of these around either. Here's the 48:
Some interesting things about the model 48: I had no extraction issues in test firing, dispite the fact that I've seen it reported quite frequently with the model 48, even on this forum. Also, this gun is marked 48-2, but it is clearly a -3 because the screw holding down the rear sight assembly is over the barrel shank and not over the barrel/cylinder gap. Moving the screw forward of the barrel/cylinder gap was the -3 engineering change.
Here's where it really gets weird. Oddly enough, I have another 48-2 in 4" from 1972. (It has never given me extraction issues either.) It is also mis-marked in the same way as a 48-2. It's clearly a -3 as well because, like my 8 3/8" example I just acquired, the rear sight screw is over the barrel shank and not over the barrel/cylinder gap either. What is the chance of finding two of these mis-marked in the same way? Perhaps they didn't bother to update the stamp because 48s were slow sellers? Strange.
Here is a family photo with all of my 8 3/8" K-frames together. I acquired a 17-3 with 3 Ts some years ago which started it all and fueled my addiction to pick up these two to complete the set. I think I have all the non-lugged 8 3/8" K-frames unless the pre dash 4 model 16 (.32 S&W Long) was offered in 8 3/8". I don't think it was but correct me if I'm wrong.
From top:
Model 17-3 (3Ts, 1977)
Model 48-2 (1974)
Model 14-3 (1975)
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