Forget the story!
In my opinion, you can never have enough Model 14s; however, when I bought my last one (14-1) in the mid to late 1990s, I paid just over $300, and swore that I paid too much. As mentioned above, without either the box or a letter, you will never know if it was a special order or not.
Back in the early 1990s, I picked up a blister pack K frame SAO conversion kit for maybe $25, just because the shop wanted it gone. That blister pack is in my parts drawer, and may find it's way into my 4 screw Model 14, I really don't know.
Honestly, I'm cheap, and I seriously doubt that I would ever pay much more than $600 for a Model 14. Personally, I feel that someone is out to make a killing on that revolver. I'd let it pass.