This concerns a S&W Model 15-3 I recently picked up from a local dealer. I have never seen this many markings on any weapon before. It is a blued, 4" barrel, 38 Special with target hammer and trigger. The barrel is pinned but the cylinder is not recessed. There were no wooden stocks on it. The serial number is 5K98XXX. The yoke is stamped 183X9 in small characters and below that, in much larger characters is stamped F12. I have not seen any markings on the cylinder itself. The lower grip frame on the left side, clockwise from upper right, is stamped F8 (I think. The number was heavily stamped on the bottom and light on the top). Following is F20, 183X9, F12 and 5. The lower right side of the grip frame, left to right, is stamped the letter P in a sort of triangle with its corners rounded, followed by an upside down 7 and a letter N with a semi-circle over the top. That last one, the P with the semi-circle, may have been intended to be a P with a circle around it. The stamp looks a little lopsided, heavy on the top. I would really appreciate hearing from any members who could shed some light on what all these markings indicate about this piece.

We get this question quite often. Other than the serial number, the long number in the yoke and the others are assembly numbers to keep the parts together during manufacturing. The others are fitters and inspectors stamps. Ie. three fitters from the F team F8, F12 and F20 all worked on your gun. These numbers are of absolutely no use once the gun leaves the factory and have no meaning to us. Execept the serial number, the others tell you nothing about your gun.

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Dick

Yup (which in Russian means sex, BTW).

Also, none of the 38 Special guns were ever recessed (nor were the 44 Specials and 45 Colts). Only the Magnum calibers and the 22 Rim Fire models.

+ 1 on what Saxonpig said as the only recessed revolvers were magnums and 22LR but the rest were pinned until 1982.

Thank you all for your replies to the questions I had. Now I will have to begin searching for a new conspiracy theory. Also find a way to thank F8, F12, and F20 for doing such a wonderful job on fitting that Model 15.