S&W 14-3

PA Shootist

My dad left me a target 14-3 in 38 special. It's in excellent shape, works single action only. What should I sell it for on gunbroker? I saw one for 400 on that site and that seems too high. Thank you for your expert help,as always!

PA Shootist

Hi,experts, I'm thinking of listing an inherited S&W 14-3 single action 38 with a six inch barrel for 200 and no reserve. That's what I've gotten from reading a gun trader's guide at Walmart. The gun is in like new condition, probably was fired about 100 times. Am I in the ballpark?

PA Shootist

Is it correct to refer to a Smith & Wesson Model 14-3 in caliber .38 Special as a K-38? And is the Smith & Wesson Combat Masterpiece sometimes a K-38? Is the term K-38 ever marked anywhere on the revolver, or on the box? I know many use the terms interchangeably.

PA Shootist

Oops, I meant 15-3...

nmyers

Now you've really got us confused.

But....if you say "K-38" you have to add "Target Masterpiece" or "Combat Masterpiece", as these are different guns, & will (after 1957) have different model numbers.

I don't recall seeing "K-38" on a box or gun, but it's on the instruction sheet & in the catalog.

Neal

PA Shootist

I guess I don't understand the difference in the correct names of the K-frame S&W .38 Specials I own. The first one, which I have owned since the early 70's and bought new, is a Model 14-3, which I ordered with target hammer, target trigger, and the target stocks, and with a 6" barrel. It has adjustable rear sight and a patridge-style squared-off target front sight. I always referred to it as a K-38. I more recently acquired a Model 15-3, with a 4" somewhat thinner barrel, standard hammer and trigger, the same adjustable rear sight but a no-snag ramped front rear sightand the standard S&W stocks. It is also a K frame in .38 Special, so I just assumed it is also a K-38 of some sort. And I see the terms "Combat Masterpiece" and "Target Masterpiece" thrown about, and I don't know if either of my revolvers in one of those. Just curious about the nomenclature. Also curious about the Model 14 and Model 15 series, which seem essentially identical in frames, just different barrel profile, thinner, on the 15. Is that the reason for the different model number? I also have a Model 19-3 .357 magnum, which seems to have the same frame, a longer cylinder with recesses for the cartidge case heads. Is that one called a "Combat Masterpiece"?

perry shooter

Combat =ramped front sight Target = Partridge front sight K22 K32 K38 were some of the premier Target pistols along with the colt Officer's Model Match in 22 / 32 / 38 In the golden days of Bulls-Eye shooting with revolvers.

Laredo Lefty

Shootist,

Both the model 14 and model 15 are called K-38's. The 14 was the K-38 "Target Masterpiece" and the 15 the K-38 "Combat Masterpiece". These are the names assigned to them by S&W.

Smith made a lot of guns using the "K" frame, the model 19 being one of them. Not all model 19's have recessed cylinders, I have a 4" without the recessed feature. Smith stopped recessing the model 19 cylinders in 1982.

Model 14's were made with 6" & 8 3/8" barrels and model 15's with 2", 4", rare 5", 6" and 8 3/8" barrels.

Basically, the difference between the 14's and 15's is the front sights and barrels, the 14 getting the heavier target barrel and Patridge front sight, and the 15 getting the lighter profile barrel and Baughman combat front sight.

dcs shooters

When S&W went to the model numbers the names kind of went away. Your #15 was the Combat Masterpiece, the #14 was the K-38, The #19 was the Combat Magnum.

PA Shootist

Thanks all, I appreciate the enlightenment. To some extent, I think I knew these things once, but had forgotten!