S&W 14 mfg date?

[rockrat]

Picked up what was supposed to be a k-38. 5 digit s/n 40xxx. 6" bbl. Can't see a model designation on the frame, just the s/n and a
"1" stamped on the side of the butt towards the rear and s/n towards the front. Also a "1" stamped on the frame at the front of the yoke. Gun is in about 90%, great blue, but had some cheap plastic grips for a right handed person.

Any idea on mfg date?

[Thumbcocker]

Pics please

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[358429]

I want to see the pretty target pistol, too.

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[rockrat]

Here are a few. Its pinned, but not recessed.
288404288405
288407288406

I had those grips laying around so put them on in place of the plastic junk. Cylinder gap look to be about .003"-.004", pretty tight.

[Thumbcocker]

Drool

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[358429]

Wow thats nice

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[BK7saum]

I think they only recessed the magnums, 38s will be pinned but not recessed is my understanding

[rockrat]

I was wondering if that was the case, with only the Mags being recessed.

Guy brought in 13 guns to put on consignment, yesterday, at the LGS. Somebody bought 10 of them before they could put them on the shelf. This was one of those left over.

[tazman]

I have a revolver like that. No model designation. Just a serial number. Mine is called a pre model 14 K38 Target Masterpiece as I suspect your is also.
Mine has a serial number of 279XXX and is supposed to date 1956.
Sounds like yours is a bit older.
According to the serial number list I have, yours was made in 1948.

[rockrat]

Thank You!! Appreciate it.

[dswancutt]

There should be a K prefix for the serial number. I don't have my S&W book handy, but all postwar adjustable sight K frames with have a serial number that starts with a K. The speed hammer definitely makes it post war. The lack of an upper sideplate screw puts it post 55 or 56, but I am going from memory here and could be wrong. Pull the grips, the serial number should be on the bottom of the butt. Early 1950's K frames will have the serial number on the bottom of the barrel on the flat for the extractor and on the back of the cylinder. The number in the yoke is the assembly number. Latter guns will have the model number and the serial number in the yoke.

[ddixie884]

I'll bet she shoots better than me. Congrats on your find......

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I have a 4" K-38 that was made in 1956. Great little shooter. It likes a 158 gr. boolit over 3.2 of Bullseye. Very easy to shoot well.

[rockrat]

Looked at the s/n again. I guess the number 40xxx as was said earlier is the assembly number. The s/n on the bottom of the butt is K320XXX. My mistake.

[dswancutt]

It's a common mistake, so no big deal. Judging by your serial number, I would place it to be made in early 1957. I have a K22 with a serial number of K314954. Model numbers began being stamped in the yoke after June 1957.

[tazman]

For a serial number K320XXX, my list shows a manufacture date of 1958.
It also shows dswancutt's K314954 as being 1957.

[jonp]

K Series K Frames (Adjustable Sight Models)

K101 – K614……………......1946
K615 – K18,731…………....1947
K18,732 – K73,121……..…1948
K73,122 – K84,149……..…1949
K84,150 – K104,047…...1950
K104,048 – K136,690...1951
K136,691 – K175,637...1952
K175,638 – K210,095...1953
K210,096 – K231,255...1954
K231,256 – K266,154...1955
K266,155 – K288,988...1956
K288,989 – K317,822...1957
K317,823 – K350,547...1958
K350,548 – K386,804...1959
K386,805 – K429,894...1960
K429,895 – K468,098...1961
K468,099 – K515,478...1962
K515,479 – K553,999....1963
K555,000 – K605.877....1964
K605,878 – K658.986....1965
K658,987 – K715,996....1966
K715,997 – K779.162....1967
K779,163 – K848,781....1968
K848,782 – K946,391....1969
K946,382 – K999,999....1970
1K1 – 1K39,500.........1970
2K1 – 2K22.037.........1970
1K39,501 – 1K999,999...1971
2K22,038 – 2K55,996....1971
3K1 – 3K73,962.........1971
2K55,997 – 2K99,999....1972
3K31,280 – 5K6,616.....1972
4K1 – 4K1,627..........1972
4K1,628 – 4K54,104.....1973
5K6,617 – 5K73,962.....1973
4K54,105 – 4K99,999....1974
5K73,963 – 6K58,917....1974
7K1 – 7K26,043.........1974
7K26,044 – 7K70,577....1975
6K98,918 – 8K20,763....1975
8K20,764 – 9K1.........1975
8K20,000 – 9K100,000...1975
9K1,001 – 9K99,999.....1976
10K001 – 24K9,999......1977
25K001 – 56K9,999......1978 – 79
57K001 – 91K6,800......1980
91K6,801 – 124K000.....1981
125K000 – 269K9,999....1982
270K000 – 311K273......1983

[rockrat]

Thank you. Not as old as first thought, but still been around awhile. Great shape for as old as it is.