[timmyb21]

Hey guys, I recently was given a revolver that belonged to my grandpa. He got it from someone many years ago in exchange for some demolition, and never fired it. It's a double action revolver, looks like .357/.38, I can't tell the model because the barrel looks to have been replaced with a heavy target barrel. I'm actually not even sure this is possible, but the I know nothing about these things. I actually want to know if it can be changed again, as the current barrel is really rusty. Where can I get it? How can it be done? Could the heavy barrel have been a factory option? I'll try to get some more info from it and share it with you guys after a good inspection. Maybe some pics too...

[icebones]

seems to me this revolver is very old, circia-1930-40, you might want to make shure of the caliber, some of the older revolvers where chambered for a .38 smith & wesson round, completely diffrent from the .38 special. and not interchangable, a picture of the revolver or unique markings or numbers would help the ID process a great deal. most of the S&W barrels are either pinned or threaded into place, some of the rarest ones ive seen were even pressed into place. you could get any modern .38 caliber barrel (because the modern .38 special bullets actually measure anywhere from .357" to .358'' in diameter. find a good gunsmith in your area that has a lathe, he could either rethread the new barrel or machine the new barrel to fit the revolver. also if is a .38 Smith&wesson caliber it is extremely rare, consider looking up its value somewhere. although the .38sw isnt very powerful and ammunition is also very rare it could be a piece of history.
but remember re barreling a revolver is a professional job, if you knew your way around southern Kentucky i could do it for you, oh well.
best of luck

[icebones]

you might want to look on the bottom of the grip, usually the serial number is stamped into the metal there.
also if you could tell me if the ejector rod has a housing around it or not i could tell you more about its age.

[timmyb21]

It does have a housing around it, but like I said the barrel may be aftermarket. I'll take a look as soon as I get home, and get back to you. Thanks!

[BADSBSNF81]

When you open the cylinder, is there a model number stamped in the yoke? How many screws in the sideplate?

[timmyb21]

If I wasn't such a retard I would have seen that it is a model 14-4, so .38 spl.? The only thing that sticks out is the huge sights, made by Aristocrat Gunsight Company, and the super light, super crisp trigger. I mean, this thing is cleeeeeean and crisp, the proverbial glass rod. Really rusty, I'm starting the clean-up tonight.

[Master Blaster]

The 14-4 is a .38 special gun that was made up for bullseye pistol and other target shooting games. The had extra hand fitting, and trigger work.
Your 14-4 sounds like it has after market target sights, and a aftermarket barrel, and possibly a rib added, so it was used as a competition target gun.

They are very accurate and typically left the factory with a 6" barrel. Use 158 grain lead bullets, if you are limited to factory ammo. If you reload or can find them 148 grain DEWC loaded with 3.2 grains of bullseye powder (double ended wadcutters will shoot best).

[mossy141701]

icebones , if you don't mind me asking, what part of Kentucky are you in? I am in south eastern Ky. It's nice to see someone else close to home.

[icebones]

mossy, im from lincoln county, if you dont know where that is, roughly a few hours south from lexington.

[The Lone Haranguer]

The only thing that sticks out is the huge sights, made by Aristocrat Gunsight Company, and the super light, super crisp trigger. I mean, this thing is cleeeeeean and crisp, the proverbial glass rod.
This sounds as if it has been set up for some kind of target competition, perhaps PPC. If it was "signed" by a big name gunsmith, this could add to its value, but the rust would of course detract from it. There is not much to be gained by removing the sights and/or rib, as the frame and possibly the barrel will have been drilled and tapped to mount it and the holes would then be visible. Were it mine, I would try and clean up that rust (probably just surface rust on the exterior) and "put it to work," so to speak.

[XavierBreath]

If it were me, I would clean the old gal up and leave her just the way she is. There will be plenty of other guns, but only one (or a few) from your grandpa.

Post pics if you can.

[icebones]

yeah just get some break-free or other penetrating oil and some fine grade steel wool, if you use very light pressure then rubbing the rust off you should be able to remove the rust without affecting the finnish of the revolver which would also degrade its value.

if you are anything like me, my grandpa gave me an old revalations (remington) .410 shotgun, valued at around $25.
its in rough shape but i wouldnt sell that thing for a million. like XavierBreath said if i were you i would clean it up and restore it so shooting condition and enjoy it for what it is, a rare revolver and a keepsake from your grandfather.

[4v50 Gary]

So long as the gun was accurate, I'd have it refinished. Post a pic of the gun. If you don't have a digital camera, what's the outside diameter of the barrel. Those PPC guns had barrels that were super thick and heavy.

[Moonclip]

I'd go shoot it, you will probably see that it is extremely accurate. My standard 14-4 is.

[timmyb21]

Yeah, it'll stay with me, not leaving the stable even for a pretty penny. I'll take some pics this week, the barrel is really thick, like match grade heavy barrel inch diameter thick. I can't find a manufacturer ID on the barrel though. Pics coming!

[Round Gun Shooter]

Sounds like you have a PPC gun. To clean it up, get some Corosion X. Best thing for it. As for Value, there is little left for PPC revolvers any more. Last one I saw for sale made by a name gunsmith went for $450 with all the gear that you need including a holster, speed loaders etc.

They are made to shoot small groups out to 50 yards with powder puff wad cutter loads. Most were built on Mod 14 and Mod 10 frames. Barrels are usually slab sided or 1 to 1 1/8 Douglas round. Hammers usually bobbed and DA pull about 4.5#

Have fun with it.

[LeonCarr]

Do you have any pictures of the PPC Revolver?

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[ButchG17]

Yup, it sounds like a PPC revolver.

Here's mine, a Fred Schmidt short cylinder conversion on a S&W model 10-6, with a Mascot PPC rib.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/ButchG17/Smith-Wesson/S-WSchmidtPPC.jpg


The sights are adjustable for windage in the front and elevation in the back. The big disk on the back allows the rear sight to be easily changed to specific elevation settings that lets the shooter use a 'neck hold' at several distances but keeps the bullets hitting in the X-ring.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/ButchG17/Smith-Wesson/S-WSchmidtPPC-Mascotrib.jpg

[LeonCarr]

Nice :)