My father-in-law has a blued 6" Model 15 that he bought new many years ago. It's had less than 100 rounds through it and is in superb condition--just shy of pristine. It has a heavy 6" barrel, and IIRC, a target hammer. He also has the box, which is numbered to the gun. He's looking to trade it, and I want to be up front with him on its value.

I'm aware that most Model 15's had a 4" barrel and that Smith made a few with 6" barrels. But as is the norm with Smith, I don't know how few or how to value this particular item.

Pics to follow.

Any thoughts?


Okie John

S&W was continually searching for ways to simplify production and reduce costs,
The Model 14 and Model 15 had different barrels and frames until the older tapered barrel 15-4 design was discontinued,

After the 14-5 got a full underlug barrel in 4", 6" (and 8 3/8" ?) barrel lengths and the old version of the 14-4 became the new 15-5 available in 4", 6" and 8 3/8" barrel lengths (bizarre right ?)

OK so that being said the 6" 15-5 is basicly the same as the (non pinned barrel) 14-4 with a new model designation,
While they are not as commonly encountered as older variations IMO they warrant no premium.

The shorter 4" version is interesting to 4" collectors as it mimic's the 4" Model 14-3 but with a non pinned barrel and cheaper finish.

Thanks. That makes a lot of sense--it's just a hard-working version of the K-frame 38 with adjustable sights. Anyone care to hazard a guess as to value?


Okie John

$400-$500. In its favor are condition and being a less common variation. Working against it is the low demand for long barreled .38 specials and it's not old enough to have a pinned barrel. I've always enjoyed target shooting with long barreled .38s but they are not in vogue. None of the LGSs I visit stock new ones and I find more than enough of them at bargain basement prices.

Thanks. I know it's hard to put a value on a gun without seeing it, but this gives us the start we need.


Okie John

Does it have the Baughman front sight like the 15, or the Patridge front sight like the 14?

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

It has a Patridge front sight, plus a target hammer and trigger.

Actually, we need to recalibrate--I've just seen pictures of the revolver and box. The gun has a pinned barrel, and the box is marked Model 14-4.

Does that change our hypothetical valuation ($4-500) much, if at all?


Okie John

I would guess a nice 6" 14-4 with the box would be in the $500-550 range, more with the box contents.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220