What did I find?

[BigBlue 94]

Make sure it is unloaded, then pull the trigger double action. It will tell you. If the cylinder turns and the hammer falls, it is a standard version. If the cylinder turns but the hammer does not move, it is the Single Action version. I don't have production numbers, but I suspect there were nowhere near as many Single Action Model 14s made as there were the standard version.

I checked, its a plain ol DA/SA 14-4
Single pinned front sight
Pinned barrel
Color case hardened (?) Hammer and trigger

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Color case hardened (?) Hammer and trigger

Yes.

Smith and Wesson has always case hardened their hammers and triggers.

The case hardened hammer and trigger guard of a New Model Number Three that left the factory in 1882.






At one point, S&W obtained a trademark on their case hardened hammers and triggers. The back of the hammer and trigger were stamped REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. for registered US Patent Office. This was an attempt to keep cheap knockoffs made in Europe from entering the country. Eventually the government changed its mind and rescinded the trademark. So S&W stopped marking their hammers and triggers this way, but they continued case hardening their hammers and triggers until MIM parts came along.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Yes.

Smith and Wesson has always case hardened their hammers and triggers.

The case hardened hammer and trigger guard of a New Model Number Three that left the factory in 1882.

View attachment 946447



At one point, S&W obtained a trademark on their case hardened hammers and triggers. The back of the hammer and trigger were stamped REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. for registered US Patent Office. This was an attempt to keep cheap knockoffs made in Europe from entering the country. Eventually the government changed its mind and rescinded the trademark. So S&W stopped marking their hammers and triggers this way, but they continued case hardening their hammers and triggers until MIM parts came along.

View attachment 946448

Dont forget the flash-chromed hammers and triggers on the early stainless guns-

 

[JJFitch]

My first S&W revolver, I bought in 1977, was a single action .38 spl Model 14 as the op has.
They can be converted to double action with correct parts. I have a M14 that was originally a SA, but was badly abused. I sent it to the old S&W Performance Center in 1998 and had a 4” Heavy barrel and double action trigger work installed. In return for the work and refinishing, they offered to let me have the work in return for the 6” pencil barrel.

The lock work, fit, and function of the rebuilt gun was exquisite. At the 1999 NPSC, I took second place in the Service Revolver match and earlier in year held the National record for the service revolver match till Phil Hemphill shot the current record. He beat me by 2x’s at the Nationals.

The older model’s of SA 14’s have a funky up turned hammer. I still have mine in a parts box.

OP, the front sight is also correct. You have a real GEM!.

Was that the year of the great NPSC "Monsoon" rains?!

Retired for 15 years and a former Riverside (CA) Sheriff's Pistol Team member! Of course in the "other" precision pistol game PPC, I don't recall anyone shooting Open Class revolvers in S/A mode!

I still have my M-14 Distinguished Revolver tuned by Jim Clark SR. with pinned front sight but is extra tall for neck hold at 50 yards! 14 clicks and back to zero!

I originally purchased new in 1964.

Smiles,

You'll recognize my PPC-9 in my avatar!