Smith K38 14-3 Question

[Range Hound]

A friend of mine called that he needed to sell his Smith revolver. He sent over the pictures and it is a Smith Wesson 14-3. The unusual thing is that it has a 2" barrel which I was not aware was mfg in the 14-3 model.

Can somebody help me out, is this a re-barrel of a a 14-3? The barrel does say Smith&Wesson and it is pinned. Just kind of confused.

The next question is what is it worth?

Thanks for the help.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It sounds like someone swapped in a M-15 barrel

 

[8emem]

Like anything else, it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If it is indeed a barrel swap, and in at least 95+% condition, and the barrel-cylinder gap is within factory specs, and there is no timing or endshake issues, and has S&W factory wood grips of some type, I would think somewhere around $300.

 

[Radagast]

The Model 14 was produced mainly with a 6 inch barrel. Some 4 inch and 8 & 3/8 inch barrel guns were also produced. If it has a 2 inch tapered barrel then I would guess it's a fatory mismatch or mis stamping, or it has been rebarreled.
I would guesstimate value at around $300 to $350.

 

[Onmilo]

Smith and Wesson can document how a revolver from that era left the factory.
There is a nominal charge for the research.
Contact them and ask for details.

 

[bhp9mm]

in the book they don't say anything about a 14 with 2 inch barrel but here is a 14-2 2 inch

http://www.gunsamerica.com/92872579...-Revolver/Smith_Wesson_Model_14_2_2_Blue.htm#

 

[DickM]

S&W has also been known to stamp the wrong model number from time to time.

 

[Lucky Derby]

If I had to guess I would say it is most likely a mismarked M15.
however there are a few other possiblities.
1. barrel swap
2. cut barrel
3. Special run for some LE agency

Without a factory letter saying that it left the factory as a 2" M14-3, it is nothing but a neat shooter/carry gun.

With such a factory letter it should be worth quite a bit more to a collector.

 

[9mmepiphany]

does it have the trigger stop?

 

[jhvaughan2]

Look at the sights.
M14s and 15s had different sites. Just because it is marked 14 does not mean it IS a 14. The example above from GB is a mis-marked 15.

 

[Range Hound]

Here is the only picture I have of it.

 

[RON in PA]

Interesting, the patridge front sight is from a model 14.

 

[Jim Watson]

Rebarrelled.
See the little step in the top strap about 1/4" back and how it does not match up with the barrel rib?
Compare with the alignment of straight top strap and rib in the advertisement bhp shows.

 

[Iggy]

Whut Jim sed.