S&W 14-3 Custom Austin Behlert // Now with Pics!

[Smee78]

Got me a "new to me" gun on layway at the local shop, its a 14-3 with a 6" custom bull barrel and a rear adj rib on the top. The barrel has Austin Behleat Custom on the barrel and it has an overtravel stop and a a ball detent lock on the crane. It also has the TT and TH in the gun and a smooth action. I am guessing it was someones pin gun at one time. Can someone tell me when it was made and what it might be worth? The serial number is SK4043X.

Thanks all,

 

[Bullet Bob]

Is that # from the butt of the gun? Could it possibly be 8Kxxxxx?

Austin Behlert is a very well known gunsmith, at least among us older guys.

If he did all the work, the gun would have more value. Here's a link for some information about him, there's a lot more out there: http://www.randgfirearms.com/5141.html

A description on the condition of the gun, and even better, pictures, would help with valuation.

 

[Smee78]

Wow Bob what a great read that link was. I cant wait to get it out of lay-a-way and post some pics and do some more research. When I did a search all I got was stuff from the city of Austin. The serial number was covered by a set of Hogue rubber grips (the number I got was on the lay-a-way tag) and I will have to remove the grips to see the serial number and I will do that next time I go to the shop. I guess for all I know it could be 8k4043x.

Thanks,

 

[nightshade2x]

Sounds like a PPC gun.

Have fun and be safe.
Nightshade2x

 

[Frank237]

The elder Behlert did great work...visited his shop several times back in the mid 1970's. He did a K-38 for me; trigger job, Bomar rib, etc. Shot very well.

Also had him build a Colt Commander as well. J frame rear sight, his handmade ambi safety, Armalloy finish, etc. He did very niice work.

FN in MT

 

[Nightowl]

Austin and his son went to the Police PPC Championships in Jackson Mississippi for several years in the early 70's. Austin was probably around 50 back then as his son was in his early 20's. I understand that his son took over the business when Austin retired, but by that time I was not attending the Nationals any longer. I would say you have a PPC gun and they last a long time as they are shot with light loads all their life. Would like to see pictures when you get it out of hock. I saw a PPC gun yesterday at the gun show, but could not get close enough to get a look at who made it.

 

[Smee78]

Thanks for all the info guys, I also think it was a PPC gun, I looked at this gun numerous times over the last few months (is was for sale in the shop from April 2010 until I put it on lay-a-way) and could not bring my self to "pull the trigger" per say because I could not think of anything to do with it and did not want to over pay for a franken gun that was put together and was not quality, But now over the last year I also started reloading and thought it would make a nice range plinker and also help me look good when I shoot. I cant wait to get it and take some pics. Anyone have any holster Ideas? what did shooters use for leather back in thoes days?

 

[one eye joe]

WE are dyin' to see the pics, Smee........

 

[Bob R]

Congrats on the Austin Behlert gun, just wait until you start shooting it. Austin was a master at action jobs along with many other things.

I chatted with him via Email quite a bit after I bought a 25-5 worked over by him and he was given his own section of the forum at pistolsmith.com. He was a joy to talk with. He was proud of a lot of things, but I think the work he did on an early heart-lung machine was his greatest source of pride.

The section at pistolsmith.com is still there, but all of the photos he posted have gone away, which is a real shame. He would post pics of his work and talk all about them.

bob

 

[captainjohnsofd]

I worked in the shop on Lehigh Avenue in Union, NJ for 10 years prior to it being moved to Pipersville, Pa. Some really nice guns came out of that shop. Behlert was the first or among the first to build a "Bobcat" pistol, i.e. a cut-down 1911 or Browning HP or S&W Model 39/59. I could never afford one. The PPC guns such as yours will last forever. I was sorry to see the shop close but Austin was way up in years and his son Frank took over. Hold onto that revolver (don't sell it). They also started cutting down 29's and 57's and 25's into snubnoses with "K" grip frames. Couldn't afford one of those, either.

 

[Smee78]

Thanks Captin,

I really think I will enjoy it once I get it. As long as it shoots, I dont think I will ever get rid of it. I already have a 25 snub so I'm half way there

 

[Smee78]

OK guys I made it back to the gun shop and pulled the grips and the SN is 5k4043X,,,,so who can tell me when she was made?????

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I worked in the shop on Lehigh Avenue in Union, NJ for 10 years prior to it being moved to Pipersville, Pa.

I have only been to the place he was at between Union and Pipersville, down the road a piece in NJ, not far from where the New York Times was printed, IIRC. Also, he was in Cranford at one point, also, was he not? At one time he did business as Behlert & Freed, or Behlert & Fried. Who was Freed?

 

[Frank237]

I visited the Cranford shop several times. Austin did a Colt Commander for me; Fitted a Bar-Sto bbl and bushing, long trigger, S&W J adj rear sight , red ramp frt sight, extended rt hand safety, BEAUTIFULLY checkered front strap, then Armalloyed the entire gun and three mags.

Ran 100%, never had an issue..it was unfortunately STOLEN a few years later and has never been recovered.

Austin was one of the Great ones. His Bobcatted Highpowers were amazing.

FN in MT

 

[Smee78]

I called Smith today and it looks like 1973 was when she was made to bad you cant get a date of when she was made into a custom.

 

[tommy F]

I went into my local range several years ago looking for used SWs and immediately saw 3 long barrel target gripped revolvers. They were an early M17 8 3/8", model 1955 45 6 1/2" & pre M27 357 mag 8 3/8". I suspected custom guns as all three were single acton only, TT with back lash screw,TH, with Herrett TR target grips. I made an offer for all three and was rewarded with the gun box they came in. Inside was some ammo and Austin Behlerts card.

Tommy

 

[Smee78]

Pics! Pics!

Well I finally got her out of law-a-way and here she is, I hope to take her out next weekend to shoot. I'm like a kid with a new bike.

 

[Ambrose_Duck]

Austin

Austin built my PPC gun in 1978 and it took me to the Governor's 20 a couple times. I quit shooting PPC in the early 80's due a growing family. The current item appears to be an earlier version than mine because it lacks the front locking lug on the barrel. Mine digested 20K plus rounds and was still running perfectly when I and loaned it to a friend who had an unknown butcher Behlert's work. The revolver in this thread has a Bo-Mar rib which is typical of early PPC revolvers. We all went to Aristocrat Tri-Set ribs a short while later. The top gunners were shooting a throat hold on the B-27 and the Aristocrat rib was superior for that purpose. This revolver appears to show limited use. Shoot and enjoy it.

 

[Nightowl]

That is an incredible looking PPC gun. Most PPC guns were shot a lot, that one indicates very little, if any use. If it had of been mine, I would have put 200 or more rounds through it the first day I had it.