New to Me Md 14-3, L. Mason previous owner?

[cporfe]

I just purchased this Md 14-3 off GB. In the ad they mentioned it might not have the original barrel. In natural sunlight and under normal lighting the whole gun looks nearly pristine. But under high intensity flashlight, the frame is still deeply blued but the barrel is plum. There is no serial number under the barrel as I believe they did away with that by 1972. (3K9836X shows as a 1972 gun in my 4th edition) There are no visible markings on the barrel pin and if it isn't original then someone highly skilled did it.

The grips are nice, as shown in the picture, but they are not numbered to the gun. On the left side of the frame under the grip is lightly etched social security number. On the right side of the frame is etched "L. MASON". I'm guessing the original owner. If anyone knows him I'd like to talk to him about the history of this beautiful piece.

Any thoughts about the plum barrel but deeply blued frame would be appreciated. Not that it matters to me as I bought this to shoot.

Chris

 

[JP@AK]

It isn't terribly uncommon during that era to find bluing on the barrel or even the cylinder that isn't quite the same as on the frame. Frames and barrels were not in the same tank at the finish shop, and variations in temperature do have an effect on the outcome. I have a -4 that I bought brand new. The barrel isn't plum, but it is definitely a different shade of blue than the frame.

 

[cporfe]

JP@AK Thanks for the info. I figured as much as I've seen a few over the years with plum leaning barrels or cylinders under strong light. Fortunately this one looks marvelous in normal light and is going to be a great shooter.

Chris

 

[stansdds]

Plum tinted cylinders and barrels did happen with S&W revolvers and there are several theories as to why it sometimes happens. I would look for evidence of a barrel swap. Inspect the barrel pin and pin hole for signs of someone drifting it out of the frame. a slightly mushroomed end on the pin or possibly punch marks around the pin hole.

At least the previous owner's electro-pencil marking is in an inconspicuous location.

 

[taz666]

With anything that is mass produced there are going to be slight variations. Could be color, dimensions, overall fit, etc. These weren't custom pieces. Imagine what a car would look like if every exterior panel was spray coated and racked for future assembly.

 

[bananaman]

That looks like a nice one! As long as you shoot it with grips/ stocks who is going to know! (you shouldn't have told us) I have a 14-3 myself and they can be very accurate! Bob

 

[Alk8944]

The plum coloring means nothing except the gun was apparently made during the period S&W was using the "nitrate bluing" process. There are several factors why the nitrate bluing turns plum on some guns. Aging is one, different alloy being used in the barrel from the frame, and slightly different temperature of the bluing bath at the time are others.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Anybody want to comment on the OP's magna stocks? It appears to me that they are earlier than the revolver (3K9836x) and the s/n doesn't match (829143). And what about the "KSQ" stamped inside the right stock? Aftermarket stocks? K frame, Square butt, Q? Just curious because I'm far from being an expert.

 

[kscharlie]

KSQ is factory stamp meaning K frame SQuare butt. Serial number is from a different gun.

 

[Hawg Rider]

KSQ is factory stamp meaning K frame SQuare butt. Serial number is from a different gun.

Thanks!

 

[cporfe]

I took it to the range last week. It shot very well. I was using some of my cowboy loads, not target by any means, and got really good accuracy considering my eye sight. This is definitely going in the rotation for range day. Thanks to everyone who contributed to my thread. You guys are wonderful!

 

[38 Specialist]

My long tube 14 is asking my best shooting guns.