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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 06-25-2017, 10:40 PM
MRLOUIEV MRLOUIEV is offline
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Default Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?

So after the California 10 day waiting period I was finally able to get my S&W 15-3 outta "jail"! I've been lurking on this site for a long time and this is my first post.

The 15-3 was definitely refinished at some point but it looks like they did a decent job. I know it hurts the value but I'm just happy to find one of these put her and shoot the hell out of it.

Please check out the pictures and let me know if this is a Parkerized finish. I have other Parkerized guns and this finish seems different. Can you bead blast a blues gun? (excuse my ignorance)
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Old 06-25-2017, 10:49 PM
Ozark Marine Ozark Marine is offline
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Very nice.
And welcome from the Ozarks of S/W Missouri via Chicago.
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Old 06-25-2017, 10:57 PM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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I don't believe it's parkerized in the literal sense. The surface prep has a lot to do with the final appearance, but I think regardless of that the finish is too "shiny" and reflects the light too directly to be parkerizing.

But whatever it is, for a utility refinish it is very attractive, especially since the trigger and hammer show a nearly pristine original case color.
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Old 06-25-2017, 10:59 PM
Aircrewman Aircrewman is online now
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Looks like a bead blast. I had two Smith and Wesson revolvers done at the factory and they appear like yours. Very nice. Will be a fabulous shooting revolver for you!
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Old 06-25-2017, 11:00 PM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Welcome from Merced County in California. That is a nice revolver.


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Old 06-26-2017, 01:06 AM
Tyrod Tyrod is offline
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Yes, a gun can be blued after bead blasting.
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Old 06-26-2017, 07:02 AM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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I can't tell about your gun, but I bought one (a 15-3 also oddly enough) that I thought had been Parkarized. When I removed the grips, I noticed the finish under them was different. I picked a small spot in an out of the way location, and used some Flitz on it. What came off was just red rust. Very fine, very even rust, but just rust. I cleaned the entire gun with Flitz and found quite a bit of finish under there.

I can't say the gun looked like new, but it sure looked better.
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Old 06-26-2017, 11:17 AM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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It is hard to tell from a photo but it looks too shiny for Parkerization. From the pictures it reminds me of the Tenifer process like Glock use to use.
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Old 06-26-2017, 11:21 AM
VaTom VaTom is offline
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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I am no expert on refinishes as I have only one refinished S&W. A 1917 (Commercial circa 1929) that I bought at a local auction. Auction catalogue listed the finish as "matte black". The finish on your Model 15 looks similar (see pictures). When researching gun refinishing apparently matte finishes help hide imperfections. Clearly my 1917 had some pitting issues at some point in it's life as evidenced under the grips. Cleaned it up with some Flitz - followed by Ren Wax. Maybe others have more expertise. (see picture of my Model 15-3 (1974) with original finish for comparison )

Nice revolver.
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Old 06-26-2017, 12:43 PM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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I have a 15-4 with a similar finish, factory letter says it came with a "blue finish". If it is a reblue they did a very good job, all the lettering is nice and crisp.

Last edited by zonker5; 05-16-2018 at 07:30 PM.
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Old 06-26-2017, 12:51 PM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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I too concur with those that don't believe it is a true parkerized finish. The OP's revolver appears to reflect light and the texture looks too smooth to be parkerized. It also does not appear to be any of the recently popular "Spray & Bake" finishes. It does look more matt black than blued. I won't speculate on whether or not is a S&W done refinish or that of an aftermarket establishment. I do believe the quality of the job was exceptionally good. There are three of four companies around that have the ability to do that type and quality of work. Nice revolver.
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Old 06-26-2017, 04:26 PM
kthom kthom is offline
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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I believe you could (can?) get a refinish from S&W that is either matt or polished blue. The polished blue does not match the old deep "mirror" blue found on earlier models but does look very nice, although I think it looks more black than blued. I have not seen a matt bluing job in person. That could possibly be what has been done with the OP's revolver. It looks like a very nice job done as we would expect leaving the hammer and trigger in original condition.
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Old 06-26-2017, 06:32 PM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Probably bead blasted and blued. I've done that on numerous guns, both handguns and long guns. Saves lots of time in surface prep if you don't care about getting a shiny finish.
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Old 06-27-2017, 12:41 AM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
Probably bead blasted and blued. I've done that on numerous guns, both handguns and long guns. Saves lots of time in surface prep if you don't care about getting a shiny finish.
I picked up a Model 10 and a 14 at a gun show back in the '90s with that type of finish. They dated from the '60s. I've always assumed they were used guns that had been bead blasted and blued. Interestingly, I sent the 14 in for some work a few years ago and the kid at the gun shop thought it looked really nice. I guess that finish has "tactical" appeal.
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Old 06-27-2017, 01:46 AM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Looks a bit like my refinished Model 15-2. This was refinished in Australia by Grycol International, who are the official S&W importer here. Refinish done to factory specs.
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Old 06-27-2017, 09:32 PM
Bocadave Bocadave is offline
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Default My 15-3

My 1971 Mod 15-3 Combat Masterpiece that I paid 400 for it three years ago. About 95% and is as smooth as silk.
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Old 06-28-2017, 01:38 AM
MRLOUIEV MRLOUIEV is offline
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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Thank you all for taking the time to check out my post and to respond. I also have a 14-1 6" and a 10-5 2" that I will eventually post pictures of!
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Old 06-28-2017, 06:53 AM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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To me it looks like a bead blast and then a rust bluing
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Old 06-28-2017, 06:56 AM
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Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish? Just got my 15-3 outta jail...Parkerized finish?  
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I would agree on the bead-blasting/re-blue. Whoever did the work, I'd say did a pretty darned nice job. IMO she looks really nice
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