Another grail revolver found, time to share the joy

[bikemutt]

Years ago bought a S&W model 15 which was a shooter, it had seen better days. I sold it knowing that someday I wanted a more collector specimen.

Well, two weeks a ago I ran across one that looked as if it would be just the ticket, only problem being the seller and I live 3 hours apart. Knowing I had a trip planned to the area I asked if he'd be willing to deliver to a local FFL so I could pick it up on my way through. Conversations were had, schemes were hatched, we came to an agreement. He delivered it to his local dealer, I picked it up Friday.

I'm usually reluctant to send someone money and hope the gun I get is as described; I'm thrilled with gun, it's even better than described. It comes with the original box, papers, tools and grips. A slight turn line and a touch of muzzle wear consistent with leather holster contact. The paperwork in the box was printed in 1955 but I'm not certain that's when this one was made.

In any event, enough talking, time for a couple share pictures

 

[cfullgraf]

Nice revolver.

38 Special S&W K-frames are special guns.

 

[Archie]

Very nice. The old time (pinned barrel) Smith & Wesson revolvers are borderline magical.

 

[horsemen61]

Op very nice!

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Congrats on a fine find. I see it has a modern, 3-screw side plate, which puts its birth year no earlier than 1955. If there's a screw in the front of the trigger guard then you'll have a 4-screw model, which I'm told collectors will pay a premium for as that fourth screw, the one in the trigger guard, was eliminated in '61.

Either way it's a really really nice revolver, isn't it? (But I wonder if the box is original to the gun. It looks too small to fit. )

 

[bannockburn]

bikemutt

Nice find! Ya' done good with this one! Range report when you get a chance!

 

[CajunBass]

It's a three screw. If there was a forth screw you could see it just in front of the trigger guard.

Give us a partial S/N and someone will be able to get close for you. S&W discontinued the diamond Magna stocks about 67-68 if I remember right. Just as a SWAG, I'd say it's a -2 or -3 Model. No real practical difference in the two, only S&W geeks like me care.

I think the Model 15 is my favorite S&W revolver. I've had at least one for years now. At one time, I had a half dozen. My current one is a -2 from 1966.

For no other real reason than I like to show it off.

 

[bikemutt]

Thanks for the kind words THR, this one is a 15-2 model.

And yes, the serial number on the box matches the gun, it does fit in there snugly, at the same angle shown in Cajun's pictures above.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

That is a 'Pre-Bangor Punta' box. S&W was using that style of box from 1957 until 1966. Model 15-2 production was from 1961 until 1967 when the Model 15-3 came along.

It's amazing how much you can find in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson.

If you supply me with the Serial Number I can probably come a little bit closer to when that one was made.

Having said that I get to show this K-38 Combat Masterpiece from 1953 that I picked up last year. Notice the different style hammer.

 

[CajunBass]

Driftwood, I've got your guns little brother.

1953, 22 Combat Masterpiece.



Sorry, totally off topic I suppose. Y'all go back to what you were doing.

 

[Old Dog]

A Model 15 thread, yay! Here's my best one, a 15-3 I scored in the box, with the original hang-tag and cash register receipt, unfired.
King of the K-frame in .38 Special.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

All these pretty Model 15 pictures are not helping my budget. Going to have to get a 10 and 15 to match my 64 and 67.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Congrats my friend.

I have a minty Model 15 that I absolutely love.

In my not-so-humble opinion,,,
It's the finest revolver that S&W ever made.

Aarond

.

 

[RPZ]

Congratulations! Greeeeeeen with envy

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Driftwood, I've got your guns little brother.

1953, 22 Combat Masterpiece.

So do I. Also from 1953. It appears the hammer configuration on mine is slightly different than yours.




Back to Model 15s now.

 

[bikemutt]

Driftwood, the serial # is K488671, thank you!

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Driftwood, the serial # is K4886XX, thank you!

It's always a good idea to substitute Xs for the last two digits of a Serial Number on internet forums, so some crook can't say you have his gun.

Anyway, the Serial Number list for K prefix Serial Numbers for 1962 runs from K468099 through K515478.

Which squares with the style of box you have, and also Model 15-2 production years.

 

[bikemutt]

Thanks for the info, and the advice Driftwood.

 

[Tallball]

What an awesome find!

 

[2ndamd]

Congratulations on a nice find.
It looks Great!

 

[Pelo801]

Nice find man. That real pretty!

 

[tark]

beautiful

 

[Rodentman]

It is splendid! I have a 14-3 from 1971 which is one of my favorite revolvers...

 

[Oldman11]

You can take three revolvers and have all the guns you need,the K .22 masterpiece,K .32 masterpiece,and the K.38 masterpiece. Go a little further with the K.38 combat masterpiece and you have it all. I lucked into all four.