$200 S&W m.15 ; hammer question...

[Waveski]

A few months back I looked for an inexpensive Smith & Wesson model 10 to be used as learning platform - disassemble , reassemble , etc. I came across a model 15-3 which seemed like a good deal. To me a 15 was a nice step up from a 10 ; I own a Combat Masterpiece and has been my favorite revolver.

So , 2 questions ---
First - how does this look for a $200 model 15? I did not think there was such a thing until I found this one on 'Broker. The function is just fine ; the trigger met all my expectations after cleaning and reassembly. Lots of stubborn black crud inside ; good thing I had access to a parts cleaner.

Second - When comparing the 15-3 to my 1956 Combat Masterpiece I noticed a significant difference in the hammers. The old nickel "pre 15" was my most comfortable revolver - until I laid my thumb on the hammer of the worn 15... the lower angle and coarser knurling of that hammer spur is very functional and comfortable. Was the newer hammer standard , or an option?

Someone will no doubt share the proper terminology for these different hammers , and I will appreciate it.

'Ski

 

[jmace57]

If it works, it was a steal at $200. Nice find.

 

[4D5]

You got a nice deal on a great revolver.

That's a great gun that you can use without fear of getting cosmetic challenges.

.

 

[Old Fuff]

Prior to the introduction of current MIM parts, S&W offered 3 hammers, all of which were interchangeable in any center-fire K-frame revolver. They were:

Standard: Thumbpiece is same width as the rest of the hammer.

Combat: Thumbpiece is wider, but same length as Standard.

Target: Thumbpiece is both wider and longer then Combat.

In you're picture the revolver on the right has an early (1946) Combat hammer. The one on the left has a later (about 1949 onward) Combat hammer.

Both hammers should fit in the "other gun" but fitting might be required. If you like the later hammer better you might find one listed under models 15 and 19 at (www.gunpartscorp.com).

Incidentally, my monitor is distorting the picture of you're new toy. Please measure the barrel from the cylinder face to the muzzle and tell me the length.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

In addition to Old Fuff's comments, Smith and Wesson went through several different hammer profiles over the years.

This is the standard hammer style that Smith and Wesson used from the beginning of the Hand Ejector era (1899) up until about 1948. It has come to be known as the Long Action or Long Throw hammer. All double action hammers trip earlier in double action than they do in single action. In other words, the hammer will not rock as far back before being released when the trigger is pulled in double action mode as it will when the hammer is cocked single action style. With this style hammer, the hammer rocked back much further when cocked, than it did when the gun was fired in double action mode, hence the name Long Action.

Notice the very shallow relief in front of the hammer spur. In addition, the checkering on this style of hammer was very shallow. If one is shooting on a hot day with sweaty hands, it is fairly easy for the thumb to slip off the hammer spur when cocking this style of hammer. At least that is what I have always felt.








At some point S&W realized that if the hammer spring was bent enough when the hammer was released in double action mode to reliably ignite a primer, then making the hammer travel back much farther in single action was a waste of energy. The hammer was being cocked much farther back than necessary to reliably ignite a primer. So around 1948 the hammer was redesigned to rock back just barely more in single action mode than in double action mode. The new design was called the Short Action or Short Throw hammer and it first appeared around 1948.

The changes to the geometry of the hammer to make it perform this way were all internal. But the external profile was changed too, with a more pronounced curve to the hammer spur. I find it easier to cock this style of hammer without losing a grip on it with sweaty hands.

This particular style of Short Throw hammer is often referred to as the Speed Hammer. Perhaps because there will be a faster lock time since the hammer does not have to fall as far in single action mode. This hammer is on a K-38 that shipped in 1950. I have another K-38 that shipped in 1957 with the same style of hammer.





Eventually S&W came to the current design of the Short Throw hammer. It features a deep cut in front of the hammer spur, and the checkering is cut very deep into the spur. No way this hammer is ever going to slip out from under a sweaty thumb. I do not know exactly when S&W began using this style of hammer, I have a Model 10-5 that shipped in 1968 with this style hammer. The hammer in this photo is on a Model 14-3 that shipped in 1974.

 

[rcmodel]

Don't forget there were also the Wide Target triggers & hammers available most of the time.

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

How did you do? If that gun were offered to me for only $200 I would snap it up before the words were done. That revolver seems to be in great condition and since you report it's in good mechanical condition too, I feel you did very very well.

 

[Tallball]

You just have to be very patient. About two years ago I got a pre model 10 on Gunbroker for a $143 bid. Its finish is worn, but it shoots just fine.I had decided I would get an old S&W 38 special for $150 or less. It took me several months, but I finally got lucky.

 

[Waveski]

What Tallball said is true. It took me a while to find what I thought would be an expendable beater ; it turned out to be a well worn keeper and excellent shooter.

 

[Waveski]

Old Fuff -

Muzzle to face of cylinder is 4 3/16" , both revolvers.

 

[Old Fuff]

I thought that would be the case, but my wide screen monitor sometimes makes things look longer and narrower then they are.

Smith & Wesson made a small number of model 15's with a 5" barrel, which are worth more then the common 4-inch length. I wanted to be sure in case lightning had struck.

Be that as it may, you still have a very fine revolver.