The Smith and Wesson Model 14/K-38 Masterpiece

[marshall]

Looks like a 14 to me, , maybe in the morning I will sap a couple pictures, I have rubber grips, on them right now.
I have had full underlug barrels , but don't care for them , unless a Python. I find them to heavy, unless they are short, 3 or 4 in.
Yep 3 ", but not in the 14's

 

[Harry Callahan]

Interesting!! So what’s the story with this one? This is one of my main shooters I’ve put over 10,000 rounds through it and I bought it used!!! Model 15-6 or could be a 15-0 or 15-3 the model # has a scratch across the last number. 6” barrel

You have a Model 15-6 with the 6” barrel.

The Model 14 was discontinued in 1982 with the end of the pinned barrel feature, from 1986 to 1991 Smith & Wesson added the 6" and 8 3/8" barrel lengths to the Model 15 lineup that was, unlike the Model 14, still in production. In 1991 the Model 14 with full under lug was introduced and the 6” barrel Model 15 discontinued.

1949, K-38 Combat Masterpiece introduced
1955, Delete upper sideplate screw
15, 1957 K-38 Combat Masterpiece continued as the Model 15; stamping of model number
15–1, 1959 Change extractor rod, right hand to left hand thread
15–2, 1961 Delete trigger guard screw, change cylinder stop
15–2, 1964 Introduce 2” heavy barrel
15–3, 1967 Relocation of rear sight leaf screw
15–3, 1968 Delete diamond grips
15–4, 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
15–5, 1982 Pinned barrel eliminated
15–5, 1986 Introduction of 6” and 8-3/8” barrel
15–6, 1988 New yoke retention system/ radius stud package/hammer nose bushing
15–6, 1988 Discontinue 8-3/8” and 2” barrel
15–6, 1992 Discontinue 6” barrel
15–7, 1994 Synthetic grips introduced, drill and tap frame, change rear seat leaf, change extractor
15–7, 1995 Delete square butt
15–7, 1996 Begin shipments in blue plastic case
15–7, 1997 4” barrel only; change to MIM thumbpiece; shipped with master trigger locks; change to MIM trigger
15–8, 1997 Changes in frame design: cylinder stop stud eliminated; eliminate serrated tangs; change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin and change internal lockworks
15–8, 1999 Model 15 discontinued in November
15–8, 2001 Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series from the S&W Performance Center.
15–9, 2002 Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series McGivern Models from the S&W Performance Center. 3 Models commemorating Ed McGivern's world speed records in 1934 with a revolver. All models have a Patridge front sight with Gold Bead, round butt frame with Altamount Fancy checkered service grips of that era, 6” barrel, Ed McGivern commemorative plate mounted on right side of frame, Heritage Series box.
15–10, 2011 Reintroduced in Classics Revolvers line, re-tooled, shrouded redesigned barrel, internal trigger lock

 

[Harry Callahan]

The 6” & 8-3/8” barrel Model 15’s made from ‘86 till ‘91 had the partridge front sight as they were intended to replace the discontinued Model 14 as a target revolver.

 

[hatman1793]

Hey Harry, I have been tipped that S&W actually made some 14-8’s. On the S&W Forum sight. I’m not on that site but what have you heard?

 

[Harry Callahan]

Hey Harry, I have been tipped that S&W actually made some 14-8’s. On the S&W Forum sight. I’m not on that site but what have you heard?

Yes, like stated in my first post, S&W re-introduced the Model 14 in 2009 with the internal trigger lock in their "Classic" line of re-introduced revolvers. This is actually the Model 14-8.

 

[johnl]

Hey Harry, I see it’s drilled and tapped of optics. Would you ever consider a red dot for it or is that blasphemy

 

[MuthaFunk]

You have a Model 15-6 with the 6” barrel.

The Model 14 was discontinued in 1982 with the end of the pinned barrel feature, from 1986 to 1991 Smith & Wesson added the 6" and 8 3/8" barrel lengths to the Model 15 lineup that was, unlike the Model 14, still in production. In 1991 the Model 14 with full under lug was introduced and the 6” barrel Model 15 discontinued.

1949, K-38 Combat Masterpiece introduced
1955, Delete upper sideplate screw
15, 1957 K-38 Combat Masterpiece continued as the Model 15; stamping of model number
15–1, 1959 Change extractor rod, right hand to left hand thread
15–2, 1961 Delete trigger guard screw, change cylinder stop
15–2, 1964 Introduce 2” heavy barrel
15–3, 1967 Relocation of rear sight leaf screw
15–3, 1968 Delete diamond grips
15–4, 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
15–5, 1982 Pinned barrel eliminated
15–5, 1986 Introduction of 6” and 8-3/8” barrel
15–6, 1988 New yoke retention system/ radius stud package/hammer nose bushing
15–6, 1988 Discontinue 8-3/8” and 2” barrel
15–6, 1992 Discontinue 6” barrel
15–7, 1994 Synthetic grips introduced, drill and tap frame, change rear seat leaf, change extractor
15–7, 1995 Delete square butt
15–7, 1996 Begin shipments in blue plastic case
15–7, 1997 4” barrel only; change to MIM thumbpiece; shipped with master trigger locks; change to MIM trigger
15–8, 1997 Changes in frame design: cylinder stop stud eliminated; eliminate serrated tangs; change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin and change internal lockworks
15–8, 1999 Model 15 discontinued in November
15–8, 2001 Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series from the S&W Performance Center.
15–9, 2002 Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series McGivern Models from the S&W Performance Center. 3 Models commemorating Ed McGivern's world speed records in 1934 with a revolver. All models have a Patridge front sight with Gold Bead, round butt frame with Altamount Fancy checkered service grips of that era, 6” barrel, Ed McGivern commemorative plate mounted on right side of frame, Heritage Series box.
15–10, 2011 Reintroduced in Classics Revolvers line, re-tooled, shrouded redesigned barrel, internal trigger lock

Wow. Thanks! It's that 15-6 I have that spurred my love of shooting Revolvers!

 

[Twisted Canuck]

I had both a K22 and K38 back in the day. They were always considered cornerstones of any serious revolver collection.

----------
NAA.

Totally agree. My k22 was the first S&W I owned, and still have it years later, as well as a beautiful K38 with perhaps the best factory trigger I have ever tried. Lots of other Smiths have come and gone, those won't be going.

Great write up as always Harry, really appreciate your knowledge and contributions. TC

 

[marshall]

Here is poor picture of the 6 "14-2 and my 19-2 that has scads of miles on it. I do have the "right" stocks for them.
Nothing as nice as H.C.'s Wish I had taken more pictures years ago of some.

 

[CV32]

S&W Model 14-2 here.

 

[Harry Callahan]

Hey Harry, I see it’s drilled and tapped of optics. Would you ever consider a red dot for it or is that blasphemy

I honestly prefer the irons for my applications but if I had eyes issues I would definitely top it with a dot.

 

[Harry Callahan]

Totally agree. My k22 was the first S&W I owned, and still have it years later, as well as a beautiful K38 with perhaps the best factory trigger I have ever tried. Lots of other Smiths have come and gone, those won't be going.

Great write up as always Harry, really appreciate your knowledge and contributions. TC

Thanks TC, I do have a very special pre-war K22 with the humpback hammer and I’m very fond of it.

 

[easyrider604]

There’s nothing like the old K frames. Still sometimes think about my Model 14-can’t remember. Pinned and recessed, 8 3/8 inch barrel. 8 inch gong at 50 yards...pinging all day long. Like one girl friend you can’t forget.

Recently traded my GP100 stainless for a mint 17-3 .22. Can barely see a cylinder ring. But I’ll fix that soon.

 

[Harry Callahan]

There’s nothing like the old K frames. Still sometimes think about my Model 14-can’t remember. Pinned and recessed, 8 3/8 inch barrel. 8 inch gong at 50 yards...pinging all day long. Like one girl friend you can’t forget.

Recently traded my GP100 stainless for a mint 17-3 .22. Can barely see a cylinder ring. But I’ll fix that soon.

Yup, the Masterpiece series are the cornerstone of just about any revolver collection.

Your Model 14 have recessed chambers? I know it’s not impossible to have one with the recessed feature from a custom gunsmith job or an oddball from the factory since everything is possible with S&W. From the factory, S&W didn’t recessed the non-magnums & rimfire revolver cylinders.

 

[easyrider604]

Yup, the Masterpiece series are the cornerstone of just about any revolver collection.

Your Model 14 have recessed chambers? I know it’s not impossible to have one with the recessed feature from a custom gunsmith job or an oddball from the factory since everything is possible with S&W. From the factory, S&W didn’t recessed the non-magnums & rimfire revolver cylinders.

Good point about the recessed chambers. I honestly don’t remember but I recall being surprised and disappointed that the 686-3 I got in 1990, didn’t have recessed chambers. But you’re the expert and I’m the one with dementia. LOL
I am certain my 17 has P&R as I was caressing her last week.

 

[Harry Callahan]

Good point about the recessed chambers. I honestly don’t remember but I recall being surprised and disappointed that the 686-3 I got in 1990, didn’t have recessed chambers. But you’re the expert and I’m the one with dementia. LOL
I am certain my 17 has P&R as I was caressing her last week.

Yes sorry,

I meant to say that only the magnums & rimfire had the recessed chambers. The rimfires still do to this date.

 

[4est]

Model 14 .38?

https://ibb.co/5jybZkc

Great info on this thread. From what I can tell I have a 40's model 14 .38 here? There is no model stamp and the Serial is in the 60K range.

 

[bertn]

Love my 14-3, not planning on ever selling it.

 

[DCahill]

I have a 14-2 that's single action only.....very accurate.
I also got a 15-2 from Murray Charlton just before he retired and it was completely rebuilt to new but with a full underlug barrel. I suppose it could be like a 14-7 (only way better).

 

[Rod]

Very Nice Revolver, the bluing looks great. . Looks good with the full underlug. .

I've been a fan of the S&W revolvers for quite awhile myself. . I have a few pre-Model K-22's with one being an early one-liner, large ejector knob and high horn diamond targets. . Also a pre-Model K-38, early 50's. . The pre-Models usually have a nice dull finish to the bluing.