The Combat Masterpiece

[UncleEd]

A current thread on the S&W Model 10 made me realize I haven't sung
the praises in more than 90 days for the S&W Combat Masterpiece
(aka Model 15 and Model 67) in .38 S&W Speical Cartridge.

The majority of the Combat Masterpieces had 4-inch barrels that
were beautifully tapered (sculpted), the apex of revolver beauty.

So just for the fun of it: Hooray for the Combat Masterpiece, the most
wonderful double action .38 ever designed.

Yes, I put it over the Model 10 though I have no complaints about it.

And for .22LR fans, the Combat Masterpiece was the Model 18.

 

[dickydalton]

Hooray!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

USAF approved-

Someday, I will have a 2" as well......

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

IIRC the Combat Masterpiece was the first "service" revolver with adjustable sights, the Baughman ramp, etc.

 

[UncleEd]

BLACKHAAWKNJ,

I believe you are correct in terms of "service revolver"although what became
the Model 14 (Target Masterpiece) also was employed as a service firearm by
police. Initially the LAPD used the 6-inch target model as standard issue,
then it switched to the 4-inch CM.

 

[CajunBass]

I have always been torn between the Model 15 and the Model 19 as to which I like best. Since this is about the Model 15, that's the one for now, and I'm really tempted to say it's edged out the Model 19 overall, but if that's true, it's not by much. I just think of them as "fraternal twins" maybe.

Model 67-1, from 1985.

And I just picked up this 15-2 a couple of days ago. I put about 80 rounds through it yesterday, and like all Model 15/67's it's a shooter. I haven't taken a better picture yet, sorry, but I have added a BK grip adapter and cleaned and waxed it. From 1966. Edited to add new picture. That light area behind the cylinder is the overhead light in the room.

They have led me to rediscover the joy of shooting wadcutters again.

 

[vanfunk]

Love ‘em! My pre-18 and my 67-1 love to get range time. I just had mine out the other day with my teenage kids.

 

[Coyote3855]

Was my first centerfire handgun in 1962. Let that one get away. Currently have two and one 19. Great guns.

 

[J-Bar]

I was about 9 years old when my friend and I discovered a stash of old Stoeger's Shooter's Bibles in his basement. Seeing ads like this screenshot from the internet made the Combat Masterpiece a grail gun decades before that term was born.

So, I can play. I'll see your Model 15 and raise you one.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I have my father's Combat Masterpiece. It was his first service revolver for the Dallas PD. Later, after he retired, it had under-the-counter duty for about 20 years at one of our pawn shops. It was even used by a cop visiting the shop to try to stop a murder suspect that we had just watched kill a man in the parking lot across the street. I have shot it a few times and even had a revolver class with it. Very nice gun.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

First read about the Combat Masterpiece/M-15 in W.H.B. Smith's Small Arms of the World-1966 edition. When I finally got one it was an 1953 5-screw.

 

[Rodfac]

As a young 1st Lt flying the Bird-dog, here's my USAF issue M-15 on my hip, lll Corps, Vietnam, 1970. Followed by a LEO turn-in M-67 that's my current .38 Spl favorite.
Best Regards, Rod

​

 

[1KPerDay]

I only have one model 15 so far and I inherited it from my dad who never fired it. It’s a 2” model.

Video if interested

Shooting Dad's Smith & Wesson Model 15 for the first time jeffshootsstuff

Youtube has de-funded most gun content. Please consider supporting me on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/jeffshootsstuffDad died recently and I decided, as a...

youtu.be

 

[amd6547]

During the great police revolver sell-off, I was at a gun show looking specifically for a Model 10. They were all over the show, going for about $175 in like new condition.
When I spotted this Model 15-3 marked $200, I looked it over, and offered $175…
With a handshake and cash, the deal was done.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Mine was carried by a local Sheriff's Deputy in the 60s who passed it on to his Son when he joined the Office in the early 80s. I was a bit taken aback that they wanted to sell it, but I'm honored to have it.

 

[luv2safari]

A current thread on the S&W Model 10 made me realize I haven't sung
the praises in more than 90 days for the S&W Combat Masterpiece
(aka Model 15 and Model 67) in .38 S&W Speical Cartridge.

The majority of the Combat Masterpieces had 4-inch barrels that
were beautifully tapered (sculpted), the apex of revolver beauty.

So just for the fun of it: Hooray for the Combat Masterpiece, the most
wonderful double action .38 ever designed.

Yes, I put it over the Model 10 though I have no complaints about it.

And for .22LR fans, the Combat Masterpiece was the Model 18.

I'm a fan of the M&P configurations for their simplicity, but the Mdl 15 is about the nicest balanced and sweet shooting wheel gun there is. Just opinion, but it comes from trying a lot of wheel guns.

 

[luv2safari]

During the great police revolver sell-off, I was at a gun show looking specifically for a Model 10. They were all over the show, going for about $175 in like new condition.
When I spotted this Model 15-3 marked $200, I looked it over, and offered $175…
With a handshake and cash, the deal was done.View attachment 1179589

Thief...

Did you wear a mask when you stole that beauty??

 

[UncleEd]

... the Mdl 15 is about the nicest balanced and sweet shooting wheel gun there is. Just opinion, but it comes from trying a lot of wheel guns.

Not opinion. Absolute fact. Any contrary statement is just opinion.

 

[PapaG]

My first center fire revolver was a Combat Masterpiece. My current "fun" 38 is a 15-4Not much difference in any respect but I do remember the sights on the one from 1960 were a lot sharper to my eyes.

 

[Pat Riot]

@J-Bar those prices in that old catalog are really something. What year was the book from?
I keep looking for a decent model 14 or 15 at stores and gun shows. Maybe some day…

@Rodfac were you, are you the real Captain America…
(Under the cockpit side window it says “Captain America)

 

[J-Bar]

@J-Bar those prices in that old catalog are really something. What year was the book from?
I keep looking for a decent model 14 or 15 at stores and gun shows. Maybe some day…

@Rodfac were you, are you the real Captain America…
(Under the cockpit side window it says “Captain America)

Pat Riot: I don't know the date of that Shooter's Bible. I searched online for photos of the Shooter's Bible and scrolled until I found the Combat Masterpiece, then took a screenshot and edited it. They don't call it a Model 15 anywhere on that page. S&W began using numerical model names in 1957, so the most recent it could be would be 1956. Have faith, there are still good ones out there (just don't expect $71.50)!!

 

[vanfunk]

Gorgeous guns, all! Rodfac, are those Altamont Ropers, Keith Brown, or other? Very nice.

 

[Riomouse911]

I, too have been bitten by the S&W K frame .38 Special bug. It started when I inherited my great uncles old duty gun, a pre-Model 10 M&P, and grew from there. The 4” version is just about the best compromise between overall shootability, portability and even concealability in a .38 revolver.

The .38 Special combat Masterpieces, a Model 15 and Model 67:



Their fixed-sighted .38 Special brethren, a Pre-Model 10 M&P and Model 64:



And their rimfire understudies, a Model 18 .22 LR and a Model 48 .22 WMR.



Very cool guns, those Masterpieces!

Stay safe.

 

[CajunBass]

My first center fire revolver was a Combat Masterpiece. My current "fun" 38 is a 15-4Not much difference in any respect but I do remember the sights on the one from 1960 were a lot sharper to my eyes.

That's something I've noticed myself. They must be making sights out of inferior materials these days. It's not just Smith and Wesson either, but every manufacturer seems to be using the same fuzzy material. I've been meaning to send a very strongly worded letter, but keep forgetting too.

Oh...did I mention that I think the name "Combat Masterpiece" is the best name EVER for a handgun? Maybe closely rivaled by the Colt "Peacemaker" but I think the Smith and Wesson edges it out for the win.

 

[lincen]

40 years ago my wife was an armed security guard at a Federal building. She carried a nickel plated model 10. We went through a time when we needed the money more than the gun and I always regret we sold it. Never saw a model 10 as good as she had but did find this model 15. It came with a rubber grip but I thought these Altamonts were fitting for this safe queen.