Engineering:Smith & Wesson Model 14
| Smith & Wesson Model 14 | |
|---|---|
 Smith & Wesson Model 14-4 with 6" barrel (top) and Smith & Wesson Model 10-6 with 4" barrel (bottom) | |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 1947-1982, 1991-1999, 2009-present |
| Variants |
|
| Specifications | |
| Length |
|
| Calibre | .38 Special |
| Action | Double-action revolver |
| Feed system | 6-round cylinder |
| Sights | Adjustable open sights |
The Smith & Wesson Model K-38 Target Masterpiece Revolver Model 14 is a six-shot, double-action revolver with adjustable open sights built on the medium-size "K" frame. It is chambered for the .38 Special cartridge, and most were fitted with a 6 in (150 mm) or 8 3⁄8 in (210 mm) barrel. A small batch were made with 4 in (100 mm) barrels, and even fewer were made with 5 in (130 mm) barrels. First produced in 1947 and originally known as the K-38 Target Masterpiece, it was renamed the Model 14 in 1957 when all Smith & Wesson revolvers were given numerical model numbers. It is built on the same medium-sized frame (K-frame) as the seminal Smith & Wesson Model 10 ("Military and Police") revolver. The K-38 model was authorized for duty with the Los Angeles Police Department[1] in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Variants
The Model 14 Masterpiece Single-Action was available in 1961 and 1962.[2] It came with a 6 in (150 mm) barrel and functioned in single-action only. It was otherwise identical to the rest of the Model 14s.
Smith & Wesson also released a Model 14 in their "Classics" line. A nickel-plated version[3] has since been discontinued, but the blued-steel version[4] is still available. Other than the finishes, the revolvers were identical with 6 in (150 mm) barrels, a pinned Patridge front sight, a micro-adjustable rear sight, and wood grips.
During the years 1965 - 1968 a serial number range of the Model 14-2 was acquired by the Dayton Gun Headquarters of Dayton, Ohio. Smith and Wesson allowed this gun distributor to block a number of serial numbers for a special run of 14-2 handguns. These handguns were distinctive in that they were all Model 14-2, 4-inch revolvers with a Baughman front sight and a mixture of standard or target hammers, triggers and stocks. The "Dayton" guns are a hybrid involving a shortened Model 14 barrel with a Model 15 sight. The Dayton guns were made in four separate blocks of serial numbers. They are: 1) K623337 - K623737 (401 pieces); 2) K623857 - K624496 (640 pieces); 3) K660288 - K661087 (800 pieces); 4) K661389 - K 661585 (197 pieces) for a total of 2038 pieces; during years 1965-1968.[5]
Besides the aforementioned "Dayton Guns" and as noted in the beginning of this article, other 4-inch barreled models were produced. Specifically a group of these revolvers were ordered with 4-inch barrels for the Kansas City, Missouri Police Commission. This information has been verified through Smith and Wesson Archive letters of authenticity. These revolvers were slightly different having a standard barrel thickness as opposed to the heavy barrels displayed on the "Dayton Guns". “Bill Jabin notation”
See also
- Smith & Wesson Model 15
- Smith & Wesson Model 17
- List of firearms
References
- ↑ "LAPD Equipment". http://www.lapdonline.org/lapd_equipment.
- ↑ "US Revolvers - Smith & Wesson 10-30". http://www.pmulcahy.com/revolvers/us_revolvers_sw10-30.htm.
- ↑ "Archive: Model 14". http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766332_-1_770653_757964_757964_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y.
- ↑ "Archive: Model 14". http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766186_-1_757767_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y.
- ↑ Priwer, Mike (Autumn 1996). "The Dayton Guns; An Early Example of Customer-Blocked Serial Numbers". Smith and Wesson Collectors Association 30 (2).
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