I have a S&W 1958 Mod.14 .38 spec. 4" barrel that I'm thinking about getting reblued. There's not a lot of wear, except for both sides at the end of the barrel. Also has some idiot scratches around one of the screws. I don't intend to sell it, but I am curious if it would negatively effect the value and what the approximate cost should be for getting this done? Or maybe I should just leave it as is?
Question:S&W Mod 14
- Thread starter Jonah71
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i don't think it would reduce the value any. the condition it's in now is as a shooter. once a vintage s&w has hit a certain point, it just doesn't loose any more value. if the muzzle wear bothers you and you want it to look perfect have it reblued. i highly recomend having smith do the reblue.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=10001&content=18302§ionId=11522
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=10001&content=18302§ionId=11522
David E
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If you're going to shoot it, leave it as is. If you're going to look at it, then send it back to S&W to have their "High Bright Polish Blue" done.
If you're going to use it and reblue it, you may not be able to bring yourself to shoot it again.
I can see the "idiot mark" bothering you, tho. Maybe get some bluing compound in a tube, degrease the area and apply it to the scratch using a toothpick. (It won't blend in nearly as well as you'd hope if you just smear it on there, hoping for the best.)
If you're going to use it and reblue it, you may not be able to bring yourself to shoot it again.
I can see the "idiot mark" bothering you, tho. Maybe get some bluing compound in a tube, degrease the area and apply it to the scratch using a toothpick. (It won't blend in nearly as well as you'd hope if you just smear it on there, hoping for the best.)
I suspect that you really have a model 15 (K38 Combat Masterpiece), but anyway if you really have a model 14 (K38 "Target" Masterpiece) with a factory 4" barrel (as opposed to a longer cut-down one), I wouldn't refinish it too quickly. Back in 1958 K38 Masterpiece revolvers were cataloged in 6 or 8 3/8 inch length, and a true 4" would be either custom ordered or perhaps part of a small special run. Be sure of what you have before going any further.
1st, as he quickly pointed out, it would be worth sorting out what it is.
Based on your description, you should think of the potential refinish as a $150 to $200 exercise to cover the small areas of the muzzle you say are worn. That's about what a high quality refinish will cost vs. the small to no change in value it will make on the gun. If you really want it to look like new, you can send it to S&W or other high-end finishers. It will enhance the value a little but no where near the cost.
Based on your description, you should think of the potential refinish as a $150 to $200 exercise to cover the small areas of the muzzle you say are worn. That's about what a high quality refinish will cost vs. the small to no change in value it will make on the gun. If you really want it to look like new, you can send it to S&W or other high-end finishers. It will enhance the value a little but no where near the cost.
It's stamped Mod 14 and isn't cut down, I'm positive of that. I'll take it to the local gunsmith. The scratches on the frame around one of the screws are what looks bad. I may hold off on having it reblued because I do like to shoot it a lot and I carry it in colder weather. I really don't want another gun just to look at or keep locked up. I didn't expect it was worth much $$, I just bought it because I have a real weakness for older revolvers, and at around $400 I was willing to take a chance on getting screwed. Thanks for the advise.
It could simply be a M14 that's been re-barreled. Or, as Old Fuff points out, it could be a rare 4" M14. If you're interested in knowing definitively, you could get a letter from S&W historian Roy Jinks, verifying the configuration of the gun as it left the factory.
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/01/collectors-treasure.html
If it's an unmodified, original 4" Model 14, I'd leave it just the way it is because it's a rare bird. At the most, I may consider a spot touch-up around the screw if it simply drove me crazy. I haven't seen it so I don't know but I'd never refinish it because it may be a KCPD gun. S&W did a special run of 4" Model 14s for the Kansas City Police Department back then. Google it and you can check your serial number to see if it's one. I see that you're in Missouri; there's a chance that you may have gotten pretty lucky. If it's an original 14 that is not in the KCPD number range, then it's even rarer. Good luck!
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I was told it was originally Carried by a Kansas City LEO, but I will check it out. Will let you know. Thanks.
The Kansas city guns were in the range K623337 to K624496.
The Standard Catalog of S&W also notes a "Small quantity with 4 inch barrel having Patridge front sight and "AFPG" markings, serial number K339292 as one example. "AFPG" stands for "Air Force Premium Grade" and were marked by Air Force Armorers at Lackland AFB for the shooting team."
It sounds like you have one of the above as the serial range is right, even if it didn't make it to the Air Force.
FWIW, collectors tend to look down on refinished guns, less so on a factory refinish, but the prices commanded by K frame S&Ws are low compared to the prices for the rarer N frames, so I wouldn't worry too much about collector values.
The Standard Catalog of S&W also notes a "Small quantity with 4 inch barrel having Patridge front sight and "AFPG" markings, serial number K339292 as one example. "AFPG" stands for "Air Force Premium Grade" and were marked by Air Force Armorers at Lackland AFB for the shooting team."
It sounds like you have one of the above as the serial range is right, even if it didn't make it to the Air Force.
FWIW, collectors tend to look down on refinished guns, less so on a factory refinish, but the prices commanded by K frame S&Ws are low compared to the prices for the rarer N frames, so I wouldn't worry too much about collector values.
Thanks. I'll probably go with a factory refinish since I want ti keep it. Obviously it's not worth it for resale, but sometimes that's not the issue. I just have a weakness for old revolvers.
You need to understand Smith & Wesson collectors... 
The "big time" ones generally stick to pre-World War One revolvers. They like perfect examples when they can get them, and will pay fantastic amounts of money to get what they want.
Case in point: I watched an auction this past weekend where one lot was a late production .38 Safety Hammerless. They were S&W's first enclosed hammer revolver, and were so popular that production lasted from 1887 to about 1940 - in other words they are not rare. But this example with walnut stocks, nickel plated, with a 4-inch barrel was in absolutely perfect condition. Not a mark on it anywhere and likely unfired. No box or papers.
Going toward the high side I would value it to be in the $500 to $600 range at best. When the hammer dropped it went for - are you ready? $1,800 + the auction house fees and commission.
What you are seeing here is a "Serious" collector that has the necessary money, and is determined to get what he wants.
Now on the other hand you have a lot of folks that would like to have a nice collection, but collecting the better 19th century guns is out of the question. So some of those that cannot play that game are turning to much more affordable hand ejectors (in particular, I and K frame models) that were made from about 1900 to around 1960.
As a result some of these are beginning to go up, and while still available at more reasonable prices represent the best of two worlds. The have an investment value (both long and short term) and can still be used as shooters unless they are mint, like new.
The revolver that is the subject of this thread is an excellent example of what I'm trying to get across.
Should it be factory refinished? Perhaps, but look at all of the angles first. If it is refinished the potential collector's vallue will be lessened, and after it's refinished you have the choice of keeping it "like new," or using it, after which the refinishing will soon not be "like new."
I seldom refinish guns I intend to use. Quality refinishing is expensive, and has no affect on the way a gun shoots. I have had shooters refinished when - for whatever reason - I decided to keep but retire them from active use.
The "big time" ones generally stick to pre-World War One revolvers. They like perfect examples when they can get them, and will pay fantastic amounts of money to get what they want.
Case in point: I watched an auction this past weekend where one lot was a late production .38 Safety Hammerless. They were S&W's first enclosed hammer revolver, and were so popular that production lasted from 1887 to about 1940 - in other words they are not rare. But this example with walnut stocks, nickel plated, with a 4-inch barrel was in absolutely perfect condition. Not a mark on it anywhere and likely unfired. No box or papers.
Going toward the high side I would value it to be in the $500 to $600 range at best. When the hammer dropped it went for - are you ready? $1,800 + the auction house fees and commission.
What you are seeing here is a "Serious" collector that has the necessary money, and is determined to get what he wants.
Now on the other hand you have a lot of folks that would like to have a nice collection, but collecting the better 19th century guns is out of the question. So some of those that cannot play that game are turning to much more affordable hand ejectors (in particular, I and K frame models) that were made from about 1900 to around 1960.
As a result some of these are beginning to go up, and while still available at more reasonable prices represent the best of two worlds. The have an investment value (both long and short term) and can still be used as shooters unless they are mint, like new.
The revolver that is the subject of this thread is an excellent example of what I'm trying to get across.
Should it be factory refinished? Perhaps, but look at all of the angles first. If it is refinished the potential collector's vallue will be lessened, and after it's refinished you have the choice of keeping it "like new," or using it, after which the refinishing will soon not be "like new."
I seldom refinish guns I intend to use. Quality refinishing is expensive, and has no affect on the way a gun shoots. I have had shooters refinished when - for whatever reason - I decided to keep but retire them from active use.
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