[Blackcloud2]

Old timers take a smoke break, you'll get it, let the new members have a shot. This is a pre-model 14 Target Masterpiece from 1949, it has never been shot by me and I cannot find evidence the previous owner did either. We have many new members here, what's wrong with this beauty and what makes it different than most other pre-model 14's? The prize is knowing you got the answers correct, so what do you think?

 

[Adirondacker]

Damned poor "prize," but looks like the front sight blade has been re-shaped. Rub mark on the cylinder means it's been "played with," if not shot.

 

[1911]

It's the front sight.

 

[Blackcloud2]

Damned poor "prize," but looks like the front sight blade has been re-shaped. Rub mark on the cylinder means it's been "played with," if not shot.

I had a grandgal birthday party today with a pinata, I have some hard candy if you'd like me to mail some!

 

[Blackcloud2]

BTW, their are TWO mysteries with this gal. I haven't heard the answer to both yet. Hey you ringers, let the newbies have a shot!

 

[latitude22]

Stocks ?

 

[ussmanlovede36]

Maybe my eyes deceive me but there almost looks like a bulge in the barrel just ahead of the frame. The front sight looks different.

 

[Blackcloud2]

Maybe my eyes deceive me but there almost looks like a bulge in the barrel just ahead of the frame. The front sight looks different.

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, this is a tapered barrel model, which would soon be replaced with the straight barrel. In all fairness, the lousy picture doesn't allow for a better view, but you got it! Yes, also the front sight was altered sometime in this gal's past, but I've been told it was popular with target shooters, so there are likely more out there with the same look.

 

[Adirondacker]

But you asked "what's wrong." Nothing's "wrong," if that's the way the factory made it.

 

[Blackcloud2]

But you asked "what's wrong." Nothing's "wrong," if that's the way the factory made it.

I'll try to do better with my posting quality going forward!

 

[series guy]

I waited to give some new folks a chance. The front sight was an instant flag but I put the anomaly on the barrel down to lighting. I'll bet it still shoots very well even with the bulge. Thanks for posting a gun oriented topic.

 

[Blackcloud2]

I waited to give some new folks a chance. The front sight was an instant flag but I put the anomaly on the barrel down to lighting. I'll bet it still shoots very well even with the bulge. Thanks for posting a gun oriented topic.

Oh no, it's not a bulge, just a tapered barrel. Yes, it's not the best picture.

 

[series guy]

Never mind.

 

[jdavis]

You asked what makes different from other pre model 14s. The tapered was standard on all pre 14s wasn’t it? If not I would be curious to know when they changed to the non tapered one.

 

[Blackcloud2]

You asked what makes different from other pre model 14s. The tapered was standard on all pre 14s wasn’t it? If not I would be curious to know when they changed to the non tapered one.

That's a good question and I don't have an answer for it. I do have another pre-model 14 shipped in 1952, it has the straight barrel. I'm sure someone will have a good answer for the weening of the tapered barrel.

 

[DocWyatt]

According to my copy of the SCoSW, pg. 144, the heavy barrel began in 1949

 

[Collects]

If that revolver has not been shot, where did the wear on the extractor rod come from, and why are the points on the checkering of the stocks not sharp?

 

[Blackcloud2]

If that revolver has not been shot, where did the wear on the extractor rod come from, and why are the points on the checkering of the stocks not sharp?

Maybe it has been shot, not by me, but if it was by the original owner, who I understood to have been an 'accumulator' of Smiths for many years, it's hard to find evidence of. If he did shoot it, he did so rarely. There's a turn line on the cylinder, but after years of handling, empty cylinder cycling/dry firing, it can happen. As to the stocks, well the picture isn't great, but in real life they look brand new. I bought the gun at a store that was selling many guns from this elderly gent and it didn't have a box, so there's no telling how it was stored since 1949. It doesn't matter to me, I simply thought I'd have some fun with an old, very nice example of a 1949 Smith & Wesson. I hope I wasn't too misleading for you in my description!

 

[crsides]

The 4 line Made in the USA was a one liner in 1949.

Charlie

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The 4 line Made in the USA was a one liner in 1949.

Charlie

No, Charlie. The 4 line began in 1948. It sorta phased in with the short throw action.

1948: Four line address block change order was issued to add the phrase “Marcas Registradas” and the S&W name and address to the MADE IN U.S.A. frame stamp in April.

(Page 494).