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
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