Pre model 15

[lppd4]

I was in a gun shop in Wyoming earlier this week and they had a pre-model 15. I would say the gun was in good shape, some wear not perfect, but good. They were asking $525. I passed on it because I really want a 19 6". Now wondering if I messed up. No box, no original grips, had a set of pachymars on it.

[UncleEd]

I'm a Combat Masterpiece/15 fan
and the price wasn't bad in these
crazy times.

But if you want a 6-inch Model 19,
then that's what'll ultimately make
you happy.

[MajorD]

Would not say you messed up.
My own pre-15 was bought about 5 years ago. I went into my usual shop back east ( before I moved to beautiful Arizona) and asked him for a 15. The pre model number gun was mixed in with model marked 15’s. He lifted one of those plastic totes that had the revolvers piled in it. About 20 of them.
He said pick whichever one you want $300 out the door.
I found the pre model number gun ( with matching serialized magnas)

[JohnRippert]

As was said, not a bad price for a .38 Combat masterpiece. But, you know what you want.

[UncleEd]

Just an aside about naming
an adjustable sighted .38
Special as the Combat
Masterpiece.

Jeff Cooper, proponent of the
.45 ACP 1911, just hated S&W's
audacity in naming such a
revolver a "combat masterpiece."
He spent his life trying to prove
the 1911 was the true "combat
masterpiece."

Of course, he was wrong.

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Jeff Cooper was a man of strong opinions and firm beliefs. He did write that he had little experience with the 41 Magnum but he did recommend it to those still "wedded" to the revolver. Bill Jordan stated that the 38 Special was the most powerful round the average man could be expected to master, a 4" 38 Special with adjustable sights and a quick draw ramp front sight, at the time of its introduction-1949-it merited the title "Masterpiece."

[MajorD]

Jeff Cooper was very forward thinking in his time, advocating pistol technique that would become mainstream by the late 1970’s. I doubt we would be where we are today in regards to pistol shooting technique and equipment had he not influenced things so heavily.
That being said he certainly did advocate for the autopistol ( in the form of the 1911 obviously) over the revolver.
Back in his heyday, there were not exactly a ton of other auto pistols to choose from, and decent factory hollow points for auto pistol calibers simply did not exist.
Also speedloaders for revolvers were not around much either.
Honestly from my perspective based on the equipment in use at the time, I can’t see the 7+1 shot 1911 being all that superior to a 6 shot say model 19 with magnum ammo until it came time to reload, which was obviously much faster to do than running dump pouches belt loops or loose rounds in the wheel gun.

[RKmesa]

Originally Posted by JohnRippert

... you know what you want.

John: Is that a 19-2? I would expect that it is. My experience is that whoever at the factory was running the polishing wheels during the 19-2 era was a master. All of my 19-2s are just a little nicer finished than any of my other model 19s, with the one exception of the Texas Ranger commemorative 19-3s, which were also very nicely polished.

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by RKmesa

My experience is that whoever at the factory was running the polishing wheels during the 19-2 era was a master.

Richard
This is an interesting observation. I have a Model 15-2 (a gift from my late father) that has a flawless and deep blue finish, notably superior to all of my other K target guns (14s, 15s, 17s and 19s). I never gave a thought to why until now.

I do have a 14-2 ANIB. I'll have to dig it out sometime and compare the finish on it to the 15-2 as well as the others. I don't recall it being particularly good, but it might be. I haven't had it out of the safe for quite some time.

[JohnRippert]

Originally Posted by RKmesa

John: Is that a 19-2? I would expect that it is. My experience is that whoever at the factory was running the polishing wheels during the 19-2 era was a master. All of my 19-2s are just a little nicer finished than any of my other model 19s, with the one exception of the Texas Ranger commemorative 19-3s, which were also very nicely polished.

It was the superb finish and pinned front sight on my 4inch 19-2 that decided me on trying to obtain a sample of each 19-2 barrel length in both blue and nickle. Does not hurt that many of these were made about the same time I was. Oh yeah, plus diamond targets on the 4inch and 6inch. Everything I love about S&W revolvers of that era.

[Narragansett]

Well, we all want what we want, and passing on a pre 15 is not a mistake if your heart is set on a 6" M19. While the 38 spl is not my favorite handgun caliber, the combat masterpiece is one of S&W's best efforts. Almost one of those models one cannot have too many of.

The pics are a NIB 15-2( 1967) with Culina Italian olive grips. The bottom 2 in the pic of 3 are M15-3's( the top is a 1950 K38. The heavy bbl version is a 15-3 slightly modified. The Osage orange Culina combats are on a 15-3.