I bought the below Model 15-3 in an auction a week or so ago. It was sold as "parts only". I bought it for $170, Serial number K972645, which I guess makes it circa 1970.

When I got it, it was extremely sluggish. Felt like you were pulling the action through glue. Cylinder would open, but felt like it was binding. The ejector did not work. Frozen solid.

I soaked it in Kroil. Well, I opened it up, and saw this. SOMETHING the previous owner used to lubricate had turned into varnish. The brown you see in the picture was hardened.

Gradually it came apart. I got all of the crud off/out of it, and it feels like a new gun. Obviously not shot much. Very nice action. Bore and charge holes pristine. Still nice case colors on hammer and trigger.

Somebody let it get some surface rust on it, and cleaned it with STEEL wool. It is covered with little swirls and scratches. It's going into my "to be rust blued" pile.

Good save. Great buy.

Every once in a while you fall into a real deal!

Somebody shot it full of WD40. The varnish is why WD40 is a lousy lubricant.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Great Save!!!

Good for you. You will get years of enjoyment out of it. I have a K975863 that shipped 7/70.

Came with the box.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I have an old gun repair book, written by Milek(?). (I'm too lazy to dig it up at the moment.) He was a strong advocate of disassembly, spray with WD-40, let dry, then reassemble.
It worked for me at the time but I've since moved on to better products like Ed's Red.

That would make a perfect fishing gun, or a working outside packer! Not having to worry about dings and such. What a great price! Congratulations!

I would say that was a lucky day for you. Hope you bought lotto tickets too. ��

Actually it is going to become my permanent car gun in the car safe. I don't have enough into it to worry about it.

Nice 15 get a box of ammo shove
it in a holster and let's go