Smith & Wesson model 14 single action

buzz riley · April 22, 2002, 11:34 PM

I just bought a blued Smith & Wesson model 14-3 with 6" barrel. The serial# is 3K902XX and the gun was sold as "single action only". I got it thinking that it was just in need of minor repair until I saw a model 14 for sale in Gunlist. That one was advertised as a rare version that was produced in single action only. What gives! Did S & W produce any K frames in single action only. If so, what was the production numbers. Could this be one?
Thanks,
Buzz

BADSBSNF81 · April 23, 2002, 12:56 AM

SN dates to 72. This variation was made from 61-82. Available with a wide or standard width hammer and trigger. Might be worth a letter to S&W ($30) to get more info. Can't help with total production numbers.

C.R.Sam · April 23, 2002, 10:10 AM

In 1978, the single action 14 list price was $16 more than the double action 14.

Fjestad's Blue Book shows no premium for single action.

Sam

Jim Watson · April 23, 2002, 10:22 AM

Looking back at old Gun Digests and Shooter's Bibles, the K-38 Single Action was regularly listed right along with the standard double action model. A little higher in price for the wide target hammer and trigger.

I am not a collector and have no idea of production numbers or identification.

But before you pay a big "collector's item" price for one or overvalue yours, be sure it can be documented as original. S&W made up SA conversion kits - just a hammer and trigger - that would fit any K-38. They were available from S&W or from target specialist catalogs like Gil Hebard. Numrich still has SA hammers, in fact.

There were a few single action Colt Officer's Models, too. I don't remember if they were the OM Target, Special, or Match version, though.

buzz riley · April 23, 2002, 11:07 AM

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. That was exactly the type of info that I was looking for.

James K · April 23, 2002, 07:15 PM

Those were sold to target shooters in the days when the center fire stages were shot with revolvers, almost always in single action, though some "artists" shot DA only. Some SA shooters though the single action was easier to work without the DA mechanism, so S&W obliged.

I don't know of any special markings to denote the SA ones.

As Jim Watson says, you could buy the SA conversion kit, but note that you can also buy the reverse, a hammer and trigger to turn your gun into a conventional DA/SA revolver.

Jim

April 22, 2002, 11:34 PM	#1
buzz riley Member Join Date: January 27, 1999 Location: KY Posts: 47	Smith & Wesson model 14 single action I just bought a blued Smith & Wesson model 14-3 with 6" barrel. The serial# is 3K902XX and the gun was sold as "single action only". I got it thinking that it was just in need of minor repair until I saw a model 14 for sale in Gunlist. That one was advertised as a rare version that was produced in single action only. What gives! Did S & W produce any K frames in single action only. If so, what was the production numbers. Could this be one? Thanks, Buzz __________________ "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God". Matthew 5:9

April 23, 2002, 12:56 AM	#2
BADSBSNF81 Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2001 Posts: 386	SN dates to 72. This variation was made from 61-82. Available with a wide or standard width hammer and trigger. Might be worth a letter to S&W ($30) to get more info. Can't help with total production numbers. __________________ All stations stand by for flash traffic...

April 23, 2002, 11:07 AM	#5
buzz riley Member Join Date: January 27, 1999 Location: KY Posts: 47	Thanks guys, I appreciate it. That was exactly the type of info that I was looking for. __________________ "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God". Matthew 5:9

April 23, 2002, 10:10 AM	#3
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	In 1978, the single action 14 list price was $16 more than the double action 14. Fjestad's Blue Book shows no premium for single action. Sam

April 23, 2002, 10:22 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Looking back at old Gun Digests and Shooter's Bibles, the K-38 Single Action was regularly listed right along with the standard double action model. A little higher in price for the wide target hammer and trigger. I am not a collector and have no idea of production numbers or identification. But before you pay a big "collector's item" price for one or overvalue yours, be sure it can be documented as original. S&W made up SA conversion kits - just a hammer and trigger - that would fit any K-38. They were available from S&W or from target specialist catalogs like Gil Hebard. Numrich still has SA hammers, in fact. There were a few single action Colt Officer's Models, too. I don't remember if they were the OM Target, Special, or Match version, though.

April 23, 2002, 07:15 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Those were sold to target shooters in the days when the center fire stages were shot with revolvers, almost always in single action, though some "artists" shot DA only. Some SA shooters though the single action was easier to work without the DA mechanism, so S&W obliged. I don't know of any special markings to denote the SA ones. As Jim Watson says, you could buy the SA conversion kit, but note that you can also buy the reverse, a hammer and trigger to turn your gun into a conventional DA/SA revolver. Jim