What was the era of manufacture of the five screw Model 15

The K-38 pre Model 15 Combat Masterpiece began production in 1949.

Probably stopped production of the 5 screw around 1956.

The pre Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece began in 1947

EDIT:referenced on page 499 SCSW4

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

jimmyj

StakeOut gave you a correct answer. Just keep in mind that there was never a 5 screw Model 15. The top sideplate screw went away in 1956 and the model-marked guns did not appear until 1958. The Model 15 had a four screw frame until 1961 with the advent of the Model 15-2.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

The Combat Masterpiece/Model 15 I have has five screws.

1. front of trigger guard
2. three side plate screws
3. upper side plate

I could be confused, but I thought that the Combat Masterpiece 4" became the Model 15 after 1958 (?)

Jimmy,if it is not Model stamped on the frame inside the yoke and is 5 screw it's a pre 15 made before the removal of the deletion of the upper side plate screw.

If it is model stamped and has 5 screws it's one of those S&W mysteries.

From their origin in 1949 the pre 15 Combat Masterpiece had 5 screws until the factory order in 1955/1956 era to remove the upper side plate screw.After the 5 screw in stock were sold the distribution was 4 screw until sometime around 1961 as mentioned above.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

You're confusing us. If you have a model marked 15, it can't have 5 screws. A pic of the model marking on the frame with the cylinder open and a serial number from the bottom of the grip frame would help clear this up. But the information provided to you by others is correct, as to your original question. If you have something other than that, you have an oddity which may require a letter.......

Good ole Smith and Wesson.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

My Bad:
No model number, so I have a pre-model 15. Its a great shooter.
Thanks for all the assistance,
Jimmy

Boy those senior moments can confuse the masses.

I have first hand experience with them.

Stay Safe

__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

The idea for model numbers came from a management order issued in 1957. It took a while for it to affect production, so model numbered guns didn't start shipping until sometime in 1958. It was earlier in the year for some models than others. For example, the first Model 29 shipped in January, 1958. The Kit Guns with model numbers didn't start shipping until about the end of the first quarter, 1958, and even then there were some without model numbers that shipped clear into July.

But by the end of 1958, nearly all guns leaving the factory carried model numbers.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I can muddy the waters even more. I'm not certain when the "Model 15" as such came into being. However, Kansas City MO PD issued 4" Model 14s in 1958. (I've owned one in the past.) The "15" designation must have come shortly after that.

Best,
Charles

They are great guns. My favorite revolver. I carried one in Vietnam as an adviser and it came in handy for everything from plinking, shooting pigs to saving my bacon at least once. I slept with it. Absolutely hated to turn it in.. Now I have a stainless version, I got from Germany (mod 67 made in '72) and shoot it more than any revolver in the corral.