|
|
 |
11-29-2020, 01:59 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Liked 46 Times in 8 Posts
|
|
New "old Model 15-3"
Hello to everyone.
I'm new to Smith & Wesson by an inheritances of my Father's S&W 15-3. I've had the revolver for 2 years now after his Dad's death and only recently started to search it's age. That's how I stumbled on to the website and it's wealth of information.
I think this 15-3 was made in 1972. The serial number is 5K355XX.
I remember shooting the revolver back in the '70s as a teenager but haven't touched it since then.
Dad served 20 years with the Air Force back in the '50s & '60s as Military Police and said he use to carry a Model 15. Thats probably why he bought this 15-3 in '72 or '73. He carried this 15-3 for twenty years as a security officer. It was a daily carry piece and shows light wear marks from the leather holster. Other than keeping the barrel and cambers oiled I doubt it was ever serviced.
I found a very detailed video showing how to service a S&W revolver. " Disassembly and Care of the S&W Revolver ~ Learn how to from a Factory Trained Armorer! - YouTube"
With this video I was able to disassemble the revolver and check everything out. Much to my surprise the mechanics of the revolver were just dry with a very light coat of gun powder residue. Compared to my '91 Ruger GP100 the S&W is built like a Swiss watch.
It's all clean and ready to shoot when I get the time.
Last edited by S&W&J; 12-02-2020 at 01:28 PM.
|
|
The Following 31 Users Like Post:
|
7shooter, adwjc, bananaman, cndrdk, Collects, DGNY, Dino44, EricR, george_lehr, JayCeeNC, JD3006, jpage, jscheck, kmyers, krsmith58, mod29, NY-1, OLDSTER, rags, Ranger514, redlevel, RGNewell, Roberto Renauld, S&WIowegan, scooterfiend, Seven High, sigp220.45, snowman.45, stansdds, Zarr, ZGrand |
11-29-2020, 03:16 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Garden Spot, Upstate NY, USA
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 3,385
Liked 749 Times in 445 Posts
|
|
Welcome to one of the finest forums on the Internet! I'm sure a few others will be along shortly to add to that welcome.
Congratulations on a fine Smith and Wesson, with an excellent and meaningful background in your family. And - well done in learning about the mechanics and checking everything out.
Many of us here enjoy the model 15s; and I just took a look at one of mine securely placed a short distance from where I am at the moment!
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-29-2020, 03:37 PM
|
 |
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 10,453
Likes: 3,929
Liked 50,519 Times in 6,022 Posts
|
|
I consider the Model 15 as the finest blued .38 Special revolver S&W ever made. Easy to pack, adjustable sights, and accurate. The U.S. military used many of them as your father knew well.
This one is mine, and I'm very glad to have found a nice one, shipped in May, 1971. It's a Model 15-3.
John
__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -
Last edited by PALADIN85020; 11-29-2020 at 03:40 PM.
|
|
The Following 12 Users Like Post:
|
klind45, krsmith58, mike from st pete, mod29, OLDSTER, Roberto Renauld, S&WIowegan, scooterfiend, Seven High, snowman.45, stansdds, Zarr |
11-29-2020, 05:09 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Hillsdale, Mi.
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 7,046
Liked 7,090 Times in 2,944 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W&J
Hello to everyone.
I'm new to Smith & Wesson by an inheritances of my Father's S&W 15-3. I've had the revolver for 2 years now after his Dad's death and only recently started to search it's age. That's how I stumbled on to the website and it's wealth of information.
I think this 15-3 was made in 1972. The serial number is 5K355XX.
I remember shooting the revolver back in the '70s as a teenager but haven't touched it since then.
Dad served 20 years with the Air Force back in the '50s & '60s as Military Police and said he use to carry a Model 15. That probably why he bought this 15-3 in '72 or '73. He carried this 15-3 for twenty years as a security officer. It was a daily carry piece and shows light wear marks from the leather holster. Other than keeping the barrel and cambers oiled I doubt it was ever serviced.
I found a very detailed video showing how to service a S&W revolver. " Disassembly and Care of the S&W Revolver ~ Learn how to from a Factory Trained Armorer! - YouTube"
With this video I was able to disassemble the revolver and check everything out. Much to my surprise the mechanic of the revolver were just dry and a very light coat of gun powder residue. Compared to my '91 Ruger GP100 the S&W is built like a Swiss watch.
It's all clean and ready to shoot when I get the time. |
Nice 15 you have there!
Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! Bob
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-29-2020, 05:16 PM
|
 |
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 26,911
Likes: 992
Liked 19,046 Times in 9,316 Posts
|
|
Welcome also! You will find lots of information about USAF issued model 15s here; these were stamped with either U.S. or U.S.A.F. on the left frame under the cylinder.
It is pretty typical for a revolver that doesn't see harsh conditions (or large amounts of lubricants put inside the action) to have very clean internals. It appears your dad took good care of his equipment. Enjoy!
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-29-2020, 05:20 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 625
Likes: 10
Liked 2,084 Times in 327 Posts
|
|
15-3 and 15-4
Yep great guns
I have two
15-3 snub
The steal of the year traded a tan Cerakote LCP plus 100 for a nickel 15-4 that was crisp and tight almost no use - no burn rings and the trigger - cylinder release - hammer and stocks were sharp
It had a slight discoloration on the cylinder due to sitting in a holster but beautiful nickel and you’d have to look for it to see it
Sadly it came from a former police officer in the 50s who did security guard work with this 15. Sad because his kids didn’t want it.
Treasure this as it is a beauty and has family history
|
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-29-2020, 07:00 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Argentina
Posts: 268
Likes: 2,439
Liked 425 Times in 143 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PALADIN85020
I consider the Model 15 as the finest blued .38 Special revolver S&W ever made. Easy to pack, adjustable sights, and accurate. The U.S. military used many of them as your father knew well.
This one is mine, and I'm very glad to have found a nice one, shipped in May, 1971. It's a Model 15-3.
John
|
 +1 Sir!!!!!....The very best carry revolver till now!!!!, excelent piece you own congratulations!!!, enjoy your shooting!!!...
Best Regards
RR
__________________
"Off we go..."
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-29-2020, 08:11 PM
|
 |
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,809
Likes: 18,563
Liked 22,431 Times in 8,279 Posts
|
|
I believe the 15-3 ( or -2, -4 etc) is the classic example of S&W. The K Frame 38 Special covers the entire Century (1900 - 2000) as the representative handgun.
My 15-3 happens to be a 2", and it hasn't been told it isn't a target model.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
|
|
The Following 8 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-29-2020, 08:23 PM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Woodland, Wa
Posts: 894
Likes: 5,633
Liked 2,209 Times in 367 Posts
|
|
One of my favorites. My 15-3 is nickel with Grashorn bone grips.
__________________
SWCA #1917
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-29-2020, 08:44 PM
|
 |
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 680
Likes: 8,607
Liked 547 Times in 264 Posts
|
|
Welcome from Western Massachusetts.
|
11-30-2020, 11:33 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: GA
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 8,050
Liked 12,731 Times in 2,419 Posts
|
|
Welcome from Jawja. ;-))
That’s a fine piece you have there.
If, God forbid, I could keep only one of my handguns,
I would probably opt for my Model 15-3.
__________________
Georgia On My Mind
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-30-2020, 12:01 PM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 783
Likes: 1,113
Liked 1,087 Times in 426 Posts
|
|
Like the OP's father, I carried a 15-3 as my uniform duty gun during the first part of my LE career. I wasn't in uniform long before I moved to plainclothes work and acquired a Model 66 snub. After 20 years of revolvers, the finger of fate said "thou shalt carry an auto" but I still carried a revolver as a BUG. The K frame Smiths are still my favorite shooters although a recently acquired 1930 Heavy Duty has really impressed me.
__________________
SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-01-2020, 04:51 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Argentina
Posts: 268
Likes: 2,439
Liked 425 Times in 143 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by H Richard
I believe the 15-3 ( or -2, -4 etc) is the classic example of S&W. The K Frame 38 Special covers the entire Century (1900 - 2000) as the representative handgun.
My 15-3 happens to be a 2", and it hasn't been told it isn't a target model.
|
It groups like a target model, bench rested!!!!!..Very nice piece indeed!!! Enjoy your shooting
Best Wishes
RR
__________________
"Off we go..."
|
12-01-2020, 04:59 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Acadiana
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1,322
Liked 735 Times in 269 Posts
|
|
I would, as a father, love to know that my children would keep and shoot the S&W's I treasured.
Very nice revolver you have.
Welcome!
__________________
" I don't recall, senator."
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-01-2020, 05:09 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Northwest MT
Posts: 2,457
Likes: 9,823
Liked 3,352 Times in 1,336 Posts
|
|
Great heritage involved with that handgun. You dad would be happy to know you hold it in high regard as part of his legacy handed down to you.
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
