The special S&W Dayton Model 14 revolver

[Hammerdown]

Hello
I was Looking for a nice model 15 revolver in Nickel for a long time to no avail. I had gone to another gun show, and sadly not seen one Nickel model 15 available, I wanted a model 15 due to it's 4" barrel and the model 14's all had a 6" Barrel. I had a new In Box Model 10-5 Hong Kong Police issue revolver. I was out side this show taking a break when I spotted another guy with what appeared to be a Lear Sigler S&W box. I asked what he had for sale or trade, and he responded with.. This Old Nickel S&W revolver no one wants. I asked to see it, and he held onto my Boxed model 10-5 Blued revolver as I Looked in the box. I could not believe my eyes when I Opened his box, here was one of the ultra rare Dayton Outdoor Sports revolver's that was one of 2038 made. I had read on them, but never seen one up close. I asked what he was Looking for in a swap, and he replied a Blued S&W revolver that has fixed sights. I opened the box I bought and the deal was struck. he wanted $50.00 and my revolver for his. I left right after that to get home and check if this was Indeed one of the rare Dayton Guns. The serial number showed it was. This one is one of the ones made in 1966 as they had a three year run on them and sent them to Dayton headquarters as they were finished. I was Pleased to hear that fewer Nickel ones were made than Blued. here is a picture and the original add that was run to promote them. Regards, Hammerdown



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/DaytonRevolverAdd.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/DSCF6897.jpg

[DocH]

......And check out those prices! I can remember when I thought that was a lot of money for a gun. I have a 2 1/2 in. Mod 19 that I paid $90.00 for and thought that was absurd. Oh,for the good old days.Good find.

[Brownie]

Nice score Hammerdown;)

[RAM]

Doc,

My first thought was look as those prices! :eek: My first mod 19 S&W Seems like was nearly $300 if memory serves (circa1977).

Hammerdown,

Great story... better find, she looks brand new! Funny how the worm turns!
I'd have been wettin my pants on the way home with that one!

Edited to add:

Hammerdown, Welcome aboard, I'd love to see your collection, even though I mainly carry and use semi autos these days I have many fond memories of times with my wheel guns. A few I'd like to forget too! :D

[Hammerdown]

Hello All
Here is another view of that Dayton revolver.Thank's for the Kind words. Hammerdown

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/DSCF6259.jpg

[RAM]

Beautiful! :)

[JMusic]

Ok help me here. This is more like the Combat Masterpiece than a standard 15 or 14 correct? The heavy barrel was unique to just certain models I believe.

Jim

[Hammerdown]

Hello Jim
The S&W Model 14 series was called a Target Masterpiece as it had a Target style Patridge front sight, and came with either a 6" barrel or later a 8-3/8" barrel only. They did not make the model 14 with a 4" barrel The model 15 was called The Combat Masterpiece as it came with the shorter 4" barrel and Baughman quick draw sights. The Dayton Outdoor Sport's Revolver shown above was a special order revolver. Dayton Outdoor Sport's of Dayton Ohio, used to be a Giant S&W stocking dealer. They often placed order's for special revolver's Like the Model 14 shown, by ordering a bunch of them made this way. back in this time span S&W would Build special order revolver's if enough of them were wanted by the stocking dealers, much Like Lew Horton does today. In 1965 Dayton Outdoor Sport's contacted S&W and asked for them to custom build the revolver shown using a model 14 frame, Heavy barrel, Baughman quick draw sights, and Hammer & Trigger's could be ordered any way for this revolver along with what grip's came on them could have been either the small service style which back then was Diamond P.C. Style or the Larger target style like shown. After This order was Placed it took three years to complete it. In that time period it was agreed upon that S&W would produce all these special order revolvers by reserving a special 4 Block serial number for them. This was way before the Custom shop existed at S&W so how this was done was when they ran the assembly Line with Model 14 Frames, they would get the reserved serial number revolver's out of their safe and run a batch of them in sequence. Once the order placed was produced for that time period, they then would put all the remaining frames that were Pre-Serial numbered back into the safe for a later build request. The Order started in 1965 and completed in 1968. My revolver is from 1966. I learned of all this information from reference material I Have collected on this special order revolver. After this order was filled, S&W never built any more model 14's with a 4" barrel in heavy or Tapered form. I feel they ordered this on the Model 14 as that model did not have a shrouded extractor rod housing under the barrel like offered on the Model 15's and this led to a more Perfect balance. This revolver is super accurate and feels very well balanced with the barrel set up it has. Regards, Hammerdown